Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Nancy Miller, 507-280-3590 Rochester, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for the Scherger Hog Feedlot expansion project in Dodge County. The proposed site is located in the northeast quarter of Section 31 of Wasioja Township. Scherger proposes to expand an existing 1,250-head swine wean-to-finish operation to a 7,500-head swine operation. The proposed expansion would be completed in three phases with the construction of two 102-foot by 192-foot and one 51-foot by 192-foot total confinement wood framed tunnel ventilated barns. Manure would be collected annually from pits beneath the barns and land applied at agronomic rates. 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, which began Monday, Dec. 17. Written comments must be received at the MPCA St. Paul office by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008. Copies of the Scherger Hog Feedlot expansion project EAW are available at: -- MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Road N. -- MPCA Rochester office, 18 Wood Lake Drive S.E. -- Dodge Center Public Library, 13 1st Street NW -- MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us Send questions and comments on the Scherger Hog Feedlot expansion project EAW to Kevin Kain, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, MN 55155. Kain can also be reached by phone at 651-296-7432, by fax at 651-297-2343 or by e-mail at kevin.kain@pca.state.mn.us. Broadcast version The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking comments on the environmental review of a proposed feedlot expansion in Dodge County. Scherger proposes to build three new barns in the northeast quarter of Section 31 of Wasioja Township. After the expansion, the facility would have capacity for 7,500 swine. The review provides analysis of potential environmental effects of the project. Copies of the environmental review, comment deadlines and MPCA staff are available by calling 651-296-6300, or visiting the agency's Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us.