Contact: Forrest Peterson 320-441-6972
Marshall, Minn. – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for a proposed beef farm expansion about four miles east of Luverne in Rock County. The EAW, which describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, is open for public review and comment from June 13 through July 13, 2011.
Binford Farms operates a total confinement beef and swine feedlot in Magnolia Township. The project proposal is to expand the beef cattle operation by building a 1,800-head finishing barn and an isolation barn. To collect manure, the finishing barn will have an under-floor concrete pit and the isolation barn will have a concrete slab. All manure will be applied to cropland as fertilizer.
The proposed project includes the construction of two new barns: a 67.5-foot by 880-foot total confinement cattle-finishing barn with a 48-foot by 880-foot by 12-foot under-floor, steel-reinforced, concrete liquid-manure storage area. The second building is a 60-foot by 100-foot isolation barn for rehabilitating sick or injured cattle.
In addition to the Environmental Assessment Worksheet, the draft National Pollution Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System (NPDES/SDS) permit will be available concurrently for public comment.
The EAW provides basic information on how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. During the 30-day period, the EAW is open to public review and comment. Comments should be submitted to the MPCA in writing by 4:30 p.m. July 13, 2011, to Charles Peterson, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194; by e-mail to charles.peterson@state.mn.us; or by fax to 651-757-2856.
The MPCA will use these comments to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project, and to decide if a more comprehensive environmental review, known as an Environmental Impact Statement, is needed.
Copies of the Binford Farms EAW are available for review at:
- The MPCA’s St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
- The MPCA’s Marshall office, 504 Fairgrounds Rd., Suite 200
- The MPCA’s website at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html
Copies may also be requested directly from the MPCA by calling 651-757-2101. Questions about the project should be directed to Charles Peterson at 651-757-2856 or toll-free 800-657-3864.
The NPDES/SDS water quality 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 at the MPCA’s Willmar office, 320-441-6971.
