Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-214-3789 Marshall, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed cattle feedlot expansion about five miles west of Balaton in Lyon County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment through Sept. 12, 2007. Chandler Farms plans to expand an existing beef cattle feedlot from 700 head by adding a new finishing barn with a capacity of 2,000 head, for a total capacity of 2,700. When completed, the facility will consist of three existing open lots, three existing partial confinement barns housing 700 head of finishing cattle, a new total confinement barn, and one existing above-ground fiberglass-lined steel manure storage tank. Liquid manure will be pumped from the storage tank every fall and applied to cropland. Solid manure will be scraped, hauled and surface applied during fall, winter and spring. The EAW provides basic information on how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. During the 30-day period it is open to public review and comment. Comments on the EAW should be submitted to the MPCA in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2007 to Chai Insook, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, or by fax to 651-297-2343. The MPCA will use these comments to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project, and to decide if an Environmental Impact Statement, a more comprehensive environmental review, is needed. Copies of the Chandler Farms EAW are available for review at:
· MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
· MPCA Marshall office, 1420 E. College Dr., Suite 900.
· MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html
· Balaton Library, 134 3rd St. Copies may also be requested directly from the MPCA by calling 651-297-8510. Questions about the project should be directed to Chai Insook at 651-296-7718 or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864. Information about the permit application and associated documents, including the air emissions and odor management plan, animal mortality plan, emergency response plan and manure management plan, is available by contacting George Schwint, MPCA Willmar office, 320-214-3793.