Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Forrest Peterson, 320-214-3789 Marshall, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the proposed expansion of an existing livestock facility in Graceville Township, Big Stone County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality, and air quality, is open for public review and comment through April 8, 2008. The Big Stone Hutterite Brethren plan to add five new barns to its existing livestock operation housing chickens, hogs and turkeys. When completed, there will be 21,200 starter turkeys (less than 5 lbs.), 48,755 finisher turkeys, 1,010 sows, 2,908 nursery pigs, 4,835 finisher pigs, 500 layer chickens, and 2,000 broiler chickens for a total of 2,995.99 animal units (AU). Manure from the hog buildings will be pumped to an existing two-cell lagoon and applied as fertilizer to crop land. A turkey manure compost bunker and carcass compost bunker were constructed in the fall of 2007 designed to meet the needs of the proposed expansion. Three existing turkey barns will be removed. 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 EAW should be submitted to the MPCA in writing by 4:30 p.m. on April 8, 2008 to Jim Sullivan, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, 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 Big Stone Hutterite Brethren EAW are available for review at:
· MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
· MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html
· Big Stone County Environmental Services Office, 20 2nd St. SE, Ortonville
· MPCA Willmar office, 1601 E. Highway 12 Copies may also be requested directly from the MPCA by calling 651-297-8510. Questions about the project should be directed to Jim Sullivan at 651-297-1788; or 1-800-657-3864 (toll free/TTY). The permit application and associated documents, including the air emissions and odor management plan, animal mortality plan, emergency response plan and manure management plan, are available for review by contacting George Schwint, MPCA Willmar office, 320-214-3793.