Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-855-5001 Brainerd, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed expansion of the MGT Products turkey feedlot in Todd County. Citizens are invited to comment on the EAW until Oct. 10, 2007. The current feedlot consists of a grower barn holding about 42,000 turkeys, and a starter barn holding about 47,000 turkeys. The proposed expansion would add one of each of these kinds of barns, holding about another 100,000 total turkeys. The expansion project is expected to take place during the next five years. The EAW is a preliminary environmental review looking at how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. Comments on the EAW should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 10, 2007, to Barbara Jean Conti, MPCA, Operations and Environmental Review Section, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, by e-mail to barbara.conti@pca.state.mn.us or by fax to 651-297-2343. The MPCA will use the comments on the EAW to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project and determine if an Environmental Impact Statement, a more comprehensive environmental review, is needed. Copies of the EAW are available for review at: -- MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N. -- MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html -- Long Prairie Branch Library, 42 3rd St. N., Long Prairie