Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Nancy Miller, (507) 280-3590 Rochester, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for a proposed expansion to the John Perschbacher Hog Farm in Freeborn County. Comments will be accepted through July 16, 2008. John Perschbacher proposes to expand his swine finishing facility located in Section 12 of Alden Township, and to develop a new site in Section 10 of Alden Township. The site in Section 12 currently consists of one 2,400-head unit. The proposed expansion would include construction of an additional 2,400-head swine unit in Section 12 and two 2,000-head swine units in Section 10. The proposed total confinement barns would be naturally ventilated and feature under-barn, reinforced-concrete manure-storage basins. Manure would be sold and land applied at agronomic rates. After the expansion, the total capacity of the Perschbacher facility would be 6,400 hogs or 1,920 animal units. 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 June 16 through July 16, 2008. Written comments must be received at the MPCA St. Paul office by 4:30 p.m. on July 16. Copies of the John Perschbacher Hog Farm EAW are available at the MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Road N.; at the MPCA Rochester office, 18 Wood Lake Drive S.E., and on the MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/perschbacher-eaw.pdf. Send questions and comments on the John Perschbacher Hog Farm EAW to Jim Sullivan, Environmental Review and Operations, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, MN 55155 4194. Sullivan can also be reached by phone at (651) 297 1788, by fax at (651) 297 2343, or by e-mail at jim.sullivan@pca.state.mn.us.