Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-214-3789 Willmar, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed swine facility expansion about four miles south of Danvers in Section 12, West Bank Township, Swift County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment through May 21, 2008. Mike O'Leary Farms Inc. proposes to expand an existing 3,000-head operation by adding a new swine finishing barn holding up to 4,000 finishing hogs, for a total of 7,000 head. The proposed barn will be a total confinement, tunnel-ventilated building. Manure will be stored in an eight-foot-deep, reinforced concrete pit located beneath the barn. It will be pumped out in the fall and injected on cropland as fertilizer at agronomic rates. The EAW provides basic information on how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. During the 30-day period the EAW is open to public review and comment. Comments should be submitted to the MPCA in writing by 4:30 p.m. on May 21, 2008 to Barbara Conti, 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 a more comprehensive environmental review, known as an Environmental Impact Statement, is needed. Copies of the O'Leary Farms 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 Willmar office, 1601 E. Highway 12, Suite 1. Copies may also be requested directly from the MPCA by calling 651-297-8510. Questions about the project should be directed to Barbara Conti at 651-296-6703 or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864. The O'Leary Farms water quality 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.