Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media Contact: Dan Olson, 218-846-7390 Technical Contact: Randy Hukriede, 218-828-6076 Wheaton, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has completed an Environmental Assessment Worksheet on a proposed 5,500-head dairy feedlot southeast of Wheaton in Traverse County. The public comment period for the EAW ends March 15. The proposed Dollymount Dairy would include two 1,328-foot long by 122-foot wide free stall barns, one 190-foot by 95-foot wide milking parlor and one 684-foot long by 262-foot wide special needs barn. Manure from these buildings will be stored in a 1,600-foot long by 400-foot wide by 18-foot deep clay-lined earthen basin. The site will also include a 1,200-foot long by 800-foot wide covered feed storage pad. Also proposed are two stormwater retention basins to hold and treat all expected run-off from the site. If approved, work on the site would begin in the spring of 2006. The EAW is a preliminary environmental review of how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. The EAW also helps the MPCA determine if an Environmental Impact Statement (a more in-depth environmental review) is needed. The EAW is necessary for the MPCA to issue a permit for the project. The MPCA may make changes to the permit based on input it receives during the EAW public comment period and/or on new information gathered as part of its own review of the project. Comments on the Dollymount Dairy EAW should be submitted in writing by March 15, 2006, to Randy Hukriede, MPCA, 7678 College Road, Suite 105, Baxter, MN 56425 or by e-mail to randall.hukriede@pca.state.mn.us. Copies of the EAW are available for review on the MPCA Web site at/news/eaw/index.html, as well as at the:
· Wheaton Community Library, 901 1st Ave. North
· MPCA Detroit Lakes office, 714 Lake Avenue, Suite 220
· MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Road North
To request a copy of the EAW, contact Mary Osborn at 651-297-8510. Additional information about feedlots and the environmental review process is available on the MPCA Web site at/newscenter/background.html.