Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-214-3789 Toll-free: 1-800-657-3864 Willmar, Minn. - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed swine facility about eight miles north of Clara City in Chippewa County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment through June 6, 2007. Lone Tree Farm is proposing to build two total confinement swine finishing barns each with a capacity of 2,000 head. The proposed project will be located in southeast quarter of Section 29, Woods Township. Manure will be collected in concrete pits beneath barns and removed once a year in the fall after the crops have been harvested and injected into cropland as fertilizer. 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 June 6, 2007 to Jim Sullivan, 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 Lone Tree Farm EAW are available for review at:
· The MPCA's St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
· The MPCA's Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html
· Clara City Library, 42 W. Center Ave.
· MPCA Willmar office, 1601 E. Hwy. 12.
Copies may also be requested directly from the MPCA by calling 651-297-8510. Questions about the project should be directed to Jim Sullivan at 651-297-1788; or 1-800-657-3864 (toll free/TTY). The permit application and associated documents, including the air emissions and odor management plan, animal mortality plan, emergency response plan and manure management plan, are available for review by contacting George Schwint, MPCA Willmar office, 320-214-3793.