Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Cathy Rofshus, 507-206-2608 Toll-free: 1-800-657-3864 mailto:catherine.rofshus@pca.state.mn.us Rochester, Minn. - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for a proposed expansion to the Wetzel Pork swine-finishing facility in Faribault County. Comments will be accepted through April 22, 2009. Wetzel Pork LLC proposes to expand an existing swine finishing facility located in Section 3 of Walnut Lake Township. The facility currently has a maximum capacity of 2,400 finishing hogs (720 animal units) housed in one barn. The proposed expansion would consist of building one additional barn that will have a maximum physical capacity of 2,400 finishing hogs. After construction, the maximum capacity of the entire facility will be 4,800 finishing swine (1,440 animal units). Animal units are a measurement used to compare differences in the amount of manure produced by livestock species. This measurement is standardized to the amount of manure produced on a regular basis by a slaughter steer or heifer. Government entities use the animal unit measurement for permitting and record-keeping purposes. The existing and proposed barns at the Wetzel facility would be total confinement, curtain-ventilated buildings. Manure would be stored in reinforced concrete pits beneath each of the barns. After harvest each fall, a licensed commercial applicator would apply the manure, at rates recommended by the University of Minnesota Extension, to farm fields and immediately incorporate it. The EAW provides basic information about how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment and helps determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement, a more comprehensive environmental review, is needed. Interested parties may comment on the EAW during the public notice period from March 23 to April 22, 2009. Written comments must be received at the MPCA St. Paul office by 4:30 p.m. on the final day of the comment period. Copies of the Wetzel EAW are available at:


• MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Road N.


• MPCA Rochester office, 18 Wood Lake Drive S.E.


• MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us Send questions and comments on the Wetzel EAW to Karen Kromar, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, MN55155. Kromar can also be reached by phone at 651-757-2508, fax at 651-297-2343 or by e-mail at karen.kromar@pca.state.mn.us.