Contact: Alexis Donath, 651-757-2120
Saint Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for a proposed expansion to the Forsman Farms egg-laying facility in Wright County near Cokato. A public comment period for the EAW began Feb. 21 and will run through March 23.
The proposed expansion adds three chicken confinement buildings, three manure buildings, three water wells, and other associated infrastructure. Plans are to add one laying barn and one manure barn per year until the expansion is completed in 2012. When the project is complete, there will be an additional 660,000 laying hens at the facility. The EAW is posted online at www.pca.state.mn.us/oxpg691 and may also be viewed at the MPCA’s St. Paul office.
An EAW is a preliminary environmental review that examines how a proposed project might affect the environment. The MPCA will use comments on the EAW to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project and to determine whether a more comprehensive environmental review is needed.
Comments on the EAW should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m., on March 23, 2011, to Charles Peterson, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, by e-mail to charles.peterson@state.mn.us, or by fax to 651-297-8683. Questions may also be directed to Mr. Peterson.
All comments must be submitted in writing, and must include a statement of the commenter’s interest in the EAW, a statement of the suggested action the MPCA should take, including references to specific sections, and specific reasons supporting the position. Late comments will not be considered.
In addition to the environmental worksheet, this project requires a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System Permit. This permit will also be available for comment Feb. 22 to March 24, 2011. Comments on the permit should be sent in writing to Courtney Ahlers, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, by e-mail to courtney.ahlers@state.mn.us, or by fax to 651-297-8683. Questions may also be directed to Ms. Ahlers.
