Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Media contact: Forrest Peterson, (320) 214-3789 Technical contact: William Lynott, (651) 296-7794 Luverne, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for the proposed expansion of a beef feedlot in Rock County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment through Aug. 2, 2006. Russell Knutson proposes to expand an existing 1,250-head cattle feedlot to 3,500 head on his farm east of Luverne near Magnolia. Nearly 15,000 tons of manure would be produced annually. It would be scraped, hauled and surface-applied to fields in spring and fall as fertilizer. This requires 754 acres of manure application land and 1,500 are available. The project includes an engineered runoff control system consisting of a concrete manure stacking slab, settling basin, infiltration basin, and vegetative treatment area. Manure solids would be stored on the stacking slab until land-applied. Any manure-contaminated runoff that is not captured in the basins would be treated through a strip of grass and other vegetation. The design is part of a project of the Natural Resources Conservation Service to test vegetative treatment. 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 Knutson EAW should be submitted to the MPCA in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 2, 2006 to William Lynott, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN, 55155-7794, 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 Knutson EAW are available for review at:
· The MPCA's St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
· The MPCA's Web site at/news/eaw/index.html
· MPCA Marshall Office, 1420 E. College Dr., Suite 900
· Marshall-Lyon County Library, 301W. Lyon Street, Marshall
· Rock County Community Library, 201 W. Main Street, Luverne
Copies may also be requested directly from the MPCA by calling (651) 297-8510. Questions about the project should be directed to William Lynott at (651) 296-7794, or (800) 657-3864 (toll free/TTY).