LITCHFIELD -- An environmental impact statement will not be required for a proposed feedlot expansion south of Litchfield.
The Meeker County Board voted 4-1 Tuesday to accept findings that an EIS is not needed for the project. Commissioner Dave Gabrielson, who was appointed board chairman earlier in the meeting, was the dissenting vote.
An environmental impact statement is an in-depth study of specific environmental concerns on a proposed project. It can take anywhere from six months to a year to complete.
Dan Fitterer has proposed to expand his dairy operation in Greenleaf Township from 40 cows to 160, which is equivalent to 240 animal units.
The project concerns some because of its proximity to Lake Minnie Belle and residential developments. Citizens petitioned that an environmental assessment worksheet, a screening tool used to assess a project's potential environmental effects, be done on the project.
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After the worksheet was completed, the county received 71 comments on it, 38 of which requested an EIS. Some comments supported the project.
Tuesday, the board approved 101 findings of fact that concluded that the project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects and an EIS is not required.
The findings stated that the environmental assessment worksheet, project planning process, responses to public comments and evidence in the record are "adequate" to support a reasoned decision on the potential for significant environmental effects. Potential environmental effects have been identified and appropriate mitigation measures have been incorporated into the project design, the findings also stated.
The county Planning Commission will now review Fitterer's conditional use permit for the expansion. A public hearing will be held on that permit before the commission makes a recommendation, and the County Board will make the final decision.
"I'm happy to see the process is going to move forward," Fitterer said after the meeting.
James Peters, an attorney representing people who oppose the expansion, also prepared findings that would have supported ordering an EIS. He raised concerns about the project's effects on water and air quality, potential for groundwater pollution and questioned what would happen if the manure basin liner failed. About 340 residential lots surround the lake.
Peters said after the meeting that he doesn't know yet whether his clients will appeal the board's decision. They have 30 days to appeal to the district court.
After the board voted, commissioners asked those opposed to the project to consider what Fitterer has proposed. Commissioner Amy Wilde said the changes will improve the feedlot and asked people to support him.
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The manure basin would be expanded and lined with a high-density polyethylene plastic liner "to provide additional protection to the ground water near the basin," the findings stated.
The environmental assessment worksheet shows all the concerns with the project, Commissioner Hugh Wagner said. He added that the board didn't want anybody to be sued.
The "right conditions" on the permit also will address concerns, Commissioner Jim Swenson said.
Peters said after the meeting that the feedlot's location "is the problem." He said Fitterer could move the feedlot further from Lake Minnie Belle on land he owns. Currently, the feedlot is within 300 feet of the lake.
The number of animal units Fitterer is requesting is within the county regulations, which permit feedlots in agricultural shoreland districts to have up to 300 animal units.
Peters said the EIS would analyze alternate locations, which was not done in the environmental assessment worksheet.
Fitterer said after the meeting that to move his feedlot, he would have to expand it by at least 350 to 400 cows to balance the cost of rebuilding his infrastructure.
"That doesn't meet his goals or financial means," said Jared Anez, Fitterer's consultant.
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The feedlot has been in Fitterer's family since 1947, but the barn was built around 1913.
