Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-214-3789 Toll-free: 1-800-657-3864 Marshall, Minn. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is extending the initial May 21, 2007, public comment period for the Environmental Assessment Worksheet developed for proposed turkey farm expansions near Minneota in Lyon County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is extended from June 20, 2007, to June 29, 2007, for public review and comment. Buysse Inc. and Plainview Farms Inc. propose to expand two existing, total confinement turkey operations in Section 21 (Crestview site) and Section 17 (Plainview site) of Westerheim Township, several miles northeast of Minneota. The Crestview site expansion will consist of adding two barns and a manure stockpiling and composting building. The number of turkeys at the site will increase from about 96,700 to 164,000. Three barns and a manure building will be added to Plainview site, increasing turkey numbers from about 68,300 to 164,000. Manure will be removed from the barns two times per year, stored in the buildings, and applied as fertilizer to cropland in the fall. The EAW provides basic information on how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. Comments on the EAW should be submitted to the MPCA in writing by 4:30 p.m. on June 29, 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 Buysse/Plainview 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.
• MPCA Marshall office, 1420 E. College Dr., Suite 900.
• Marshall-Lyon County Library, 301 W. Lyon St., Marshall.
• Minneota Public Library, 103 N. Jefferson St.

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.