Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media Contact: Dan Olson (218) 846-7390 Technical Contact: Jim Sullivan (651) 297-1788 Toll-free: (800) 657-3864 Detroit Lakes, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has completed an Environmental Assessment Worksheet on a proposed 14,000-head dairy feedlot 12 miles northeast of Wheaton, Minn., in Traverse County. The public comment period for the EAW ends Oct. 12. The proposed Redpath Heifers dairy would include three free-stall barns and a covered feed storage pad. Manure would be stored in a concrete structure below the barns. There are 7,665 acres available for manure application, which would take place no sooner than September after harvest. If the project is approved, construction would begin in the fall of this year. Construction on the barns and feed center would begin spring 2006. The entire site would occupy 120 acres. The EAW is a preliminary environmental review of how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment and helps the MPCA determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (a more in-depth environmental review) is needed. The EAW is also necessary for the MPCA to issue a permit for the project. The MPCA may make changes to the permit based on input it receives during the EAW public comment period and/or on new information gathered as part of its own review of the project. Comments on the Redpath Heifers dairy EAW should be submitted in writing by Oct. 12, 2005, to Jim Sullivan, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, or by e-mail to jim.sullivan@pca.state.mn.us. Copies of the EAW are available for review on the MPCA Web site at hhref="/news/eaw/index.html, as well as the following locations:
· Wheaton Community Library, 901 First Ave. North
· MPCA Detroit Lakes office, 714 Lake Avenue, Suite 220
· MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Road North
To request a copy of the EAW, contact Jennie Olson at (651) 296-7398, or by fax at (651) 296-7782. Additional information on the environmental review process is available on the Web at hhref="/programs/envr_p.html.