Contact: Dan Olson, 218-846-8108
Toll-free/TTY: 1-800-657-3864
Lake Park, Minn. — The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is inviting public comment on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) prepared for a proposed expansion of a layer hen total confinement facility near Lake Park in Clay County. The 30-day comment period ends April 21, 2011.
The existing facility includes an egg-grading barn (barn 1), a feed barn (barn 2), four egg-laying barns (barns 3, 4, 5, and 6), a dry manure storage building, manure stockpile sites, as well as a compost site. Jona Baer, Inc. is proposing to remodel the existing poultry laying barn (barn 5) to install new battery cages as well as a continuous manure air drying and conveyor system, and extending the existing 80-foot by 200-foot manure storage barn by an additional 80 feet. The continuous manure air drying system will allow for further drying of manure before removal via a conveyor to the enlarged manure storage barn. Barns 3 and 4 already have continuous manure air drying and conveyor systems. Barn 6 is not undergoing modifications at this time. Total animal units after the project is completed will be 1,326.
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.
Comments on the Jona Baer EAW should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m., April 20, 2011, to Nancy Drach, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194 or by fax to 651-297-2343.
Copies of the EAW are available for review online at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html; at the MPCA Detroit Lakes office, 714 Lake Ave., Suite 220; and at the MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N. To request a copy of the EAW from the MPCA, call 651-757-2101. Other telephone inquiries related to this project should be directed to Nancy Drach at 651-757-2317, or toll-free 800-657-3864.
Additional information on the environmental review process is available online: www.mnplan.state.mn.us/eqb/pdf/envreview.PDF.
