Feedlot ordinance promotes good neighbors, safe water

By Lori EhdeRock County’s record number of feedlots under construction has area residents wondering how it will affect them and the environment.Doug Bos, assistant director of Rock County’s Land Management Office, said he can tell that people are concerned."We are getting calls and we are getting questions," he said.There may be as many as 25 new feedlot projects in Rock County this year. Last year, by comparison, there were four major constructions and expansions and three modifications (to manure pits and filter strips, for example).Common concerns aren’t only with the smell generated by cattle feedlots and hog confinements, but with the effect on the environment.Conditions are ripe in Rock County for conflict and animosity among neighbors when livestock facilities are built. "It can be a really touchy issue," Bos said. But he said both livestock producers and their neighbors are fortunate there’s a good plan in place to guide the process."We have good safeguards – checks and balances – in place," he said.There are four major entities dictating feedlot construction in Rock County:
Local feedlot ordinance: Rock County was the leader in the state more than 10 years ago when its planning and zoning commission adopted its own feedlot ordinance specifically for feedlots. It’s stricter than the state and federal guidelines, and it was updated and rewritten in 2000.
State feedlot law, known as Rule 7020, regulates feedlots and expansions in Minnesota.
Minnesota Environmental Quality Board oversees environmental impact of feedlots and expansions, and
Federal EPA rules. Has its own set of rules that governs feedlots.Permitted facilities are reviewed annually, and all registered feedlots are reviewed every four years."If people knew how many hoops producers had to jump through, they’d be more than surprised," Bos said. "It would help to ease concerns."Worth the paperworkLuverne’s Dean Tofteland is involved with two new site constructions and an expansion at his own farm."It’s a bigger process than I ever envisioned," he said. "But I feel confident in our Rock County officials and lawmakers. … The plan in place is really a good one."One of his new barns is owned by Titan, a group of Pipestone veterinarians who are purchasing land southwest of Hardwick from Tofteland. The location will house 2,400 hogs, which Titan will custom feed.He said the permitting process has helped everyone learn more about his intentions and about the local feedlot industry."There are large integraters putting up barns in Rock County, but Titan is just a group of young vets who are willing to invest in local agriculture," Tofteland said.He and the Titan vets are part of a larger group of 35 local investors in North Star Family Farms, which will own the hogs in the new barn. "It’s one way we can compete — by working together."Tofteland said the feedlot permitting process has allowed neighbors to be involved in the placement of the Titan barn, and plans have relocated the facility twice to a location suitable to most involved. "We’re trying to be good neighbors," he said."We didn’t have to move it, but when you put a barn up, it’s a big deal and it can impact people for a long time in the future."Feedlot Friendly vs. Good NeighborsBos said he gets the most calls from people concerned about proximity of facilities to residences.But he said Rock County’s feedlot ordinance is among the strictest in the state with regard to setback limits of facilities from residences.Last year, when Gov. Tim Pawlenty was promoting Minnesota as "feedlot friendly," Rock County didn’t make the list because its feedlot ordinance was too strict."We required too much distance between feedlots and residents to qualify," Bos said.Rock County requires a half-mile setback between a new feedlot and a residence. The state recommends a quarter mile.The local zoning ordinance requires a conditional use permit and hearing for new construction or expansions involving more than 1,000 animal units.At this hearing, the public can voice opinions to affect the Planning and Zoning Commission and County Board’s decision.A conditional use permit is also required for an expansion of more than 250 animal units if there’s a neighbor within a quarter mile.The state requires that any feedlot with more than 500 animal units comply by the "Good Neighbor Statute," which requires public notification in the local paper and certified mailing to landowners within 5,000 feet of the proposed construction.In this case, the neighbors can’t voice opinions to affect outcomes, but Bos said it’s the "good neighbor" thing to do, just to let people know what’s going on."It lets people know the producer is going through the correct procedures to properly permit the facility."Environmental protectionOne reason for Rock County’s strict feedlot ordinance is that shallow, vulnerable aquifers supply local drinking water.Through Global Information Systems data, the Land Management Office has mapped Rock County’s Drinking Water Supply Management Areas. "That’s where we get all of our drinking water from," Bos said.County officials are particularly sensitive to feedlot construction in these areas, and the local ordinance prohibits construction or expansion within 300 feet (about a football field) of the drinking water supply areas.Also protecting the environment are manure application plans required by all livestock producers going through the permitting process.Manure application plans require agreements with area crop produders to allow application of manure ontheir ground.These plans spell out where and how much manure will be applied, based on the soil’s nutrient management plan.These are also reviewed every four years.Since manure is used instead of commercial fertilizers, the process is both economical and environmentally responsible.Tofteland, who also farms crop land in several areas of the county, said he’s glad to sign the manure management agreements."I’ll take the manure," he said. "I’ve got two choices. I can purchase commercial, synthetic fertilizer, or I can utilize an environmentally friendly, organic, renewable fertilizer made from manure. When properly managed, it’s very good for the crops and safe for the environment."