County votes against proposed dairy
By Nick Hytrek Journal staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, January 30, 2008
SIoux City attorney Jeff Poulson, representing opponents of a3,600-head dairy operation near Lawton, Iowa, speaks during a public hearing by the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors Tuesday. At left is farm opponent Kevin Miller of Lawton, Iowa. (Journal photo by Tim Hynds)
SIOUX CITY -- Developers proposing a 3,600-head dairy north of Lawton, Iowa, were dealt a setback Tuesday when the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors voted to recommend the denial of the group's construction permit application.
The board's 4-1 vote, along with the transcript of nearly two hours of public testimony, will be forwarded to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which will decide whether to issue the permit in early March.
"Obviously, we're disappointed," said Dr. Greg Bleeker, a Visalia, Calif., veterinarian who would operate the dairy as a partner with Lance Mouw of Tulare, Calif. "I think from the state of Iowa's standpoint, our permit application and manure management plans will be at and above what the state requires.
"But at the end of the day, you have to ask, 'Is that where we want to be?' There's a strong sentiment against the dairy. Where we go from here is a good question."
Could Tuesday's vote cause developers to scrap plans to invest an estimated $25 million in the Jersey North dairy three miles north of Lawton?
"We'll see," said Bleeker, a Sioux Center, Iowa, native.
Meanwhile, dairy opponents rejoiced in the board's decision, but acknowledged that their fight is not finished.
"We're very ecstatic. We hope (it leads to) a new change in Iowa law," said Kevin Miller, who lives a mile from the proposed site. "We need to keep sending letters to the DNR and our representatives."
The county's action does not kill the project. Its recommendation is one of many criteria the DNR considers when deciding whether to issue a permit. The DNR has issued permits to projects in which a county has recommended a denial, said Bob Palla, a DNR environmental engineer.
"Normally, if they meet the rules and standards and the law, we would issue the permit," Palla said.
The majority of the more than 100 people who attended the hearing in the Woodbury County Courthouse basement opposed the dairy, which would occupy 120 acres currently owned by Walter Reinholdt near the intersection of 120th Street and County Road K49.
Several of those who spoke against the dairy said they were concerned how the farm would affect their quality of life and property valuations. They voiced concerns about odor, erosion and potential threats to water quality. They pointed to what they said were flaws in proposed manure management plans that have yet to gain DNR approval.
"What really bothers me is you guys have not had a town hall meeting to tell us what is going on. You thought you would just slide it in under us," said Jason Schoenrock, who lives in rural Hinton four miles from the site.
Engineers and agronomists said the dairy is designed to meet all state regulations. The dairy also would have a positive economic impact on the area, said Chris Mondak, a dairy specialist with the Iowa State University Extension.
"Dairies generate jobs," Mondak said. "Dairy owners do tend to purchase goods and services locally."
Before voting against the project, county board members said there were too many unknowns about the dairy's potential effects on the environment.
"I can't see any way to vote for this," supervisor Larry Clausen said. "I'd love to, but there are too many unanswered questions."
Bob Batcheller, who cast the lone vote in support of the dairy, said he has always supported economic development in the county and that the DNR wouldn't grant a permit if the project didn't meet state environmental regulations.
"I trust the DNR. I trust them to do right by the people of Woodbury County," Batcheller said.
Nick Hytrek can be reached at 712-293-4226 or nickhytrek@siouxcityjournal.com.
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The board's 4-1 vote, along with the transcript of nearly two hours of public testimony, will be forwarded to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which will decide whether to issue the permit in early March.
"Obviously, we're disappointed," said Dr. Greg Bleeker, a Visalia, Calif., veterinarian who would operate the dairy as a partner with Lance Mouw of Tulare, Calif. "I think from the state of Iowa's standpoint, our permit application and manure management plans will be at and above what the state requires.
"But at the end of the day, you have to ask, 'Is that where we want to be?' There's a strong sentiment against the dairy. Where we go from here is a good question."
Could Tuesday's vote cause developers to scrap plans to invest an estimated $25 million in the Jersey North dairy three miles north of Lawton?
"We'll see," said Bleeker, a Sioux Center, Iowa, native.
Meanwhile, dairy opponents rejoiced in the board's decision, but acknowledged that their fight is not finished.
"We're very ecstatic. We hope (it leads to) a new change in Iowa law," said Kevin Miller, who lives a mile from the proposed site. "We need to keep sending letters to the DNR and our representatives."
The county's action does not kill the project. Its recommendation is one of many criteria the DNR considers when deciding whether to issue a permit. The DNR has issued permits to projects in which a county has recommended a denial, said Bob Palla, a DNR environmental engineer.
"Normally, if they meet the rules and standards and the law, we would issue the permit," Palla said.
The majority of the more than 100 people who attended the hearing in the Woodbury County Courthouse basement opposed the dairy, which would occupy 120 acres currently owned by Walter Reinholdt near the intersection of 120th Street and County Road K49.
Several of those who spoke against the dairy said they were concerned how the farm would affect their quality of life and property valuations. They voiced concerns about odor, erosion and potential threats to water quality. They pointed to what they said were flaws in proposed manure management plans that have yet to gain DNR approval.
"What really bothers me is you guys have not had a town hall meeting to tell us what is going on. You thought you would just slide it in under us," said Jason Schoenrock, who lives in rural Hinton four miles from the site.
Engineers and agronomists said the dairy is designed to meet all state regulations. The dairy also would have a positive economic impact on the area, said Chris Mondak, a dairy specialist with the Iowa State University Extension.
"Dairies generate jobs," Mondak said. "Dairy owners do tend to purchase goods and services locally."
Before voting against the project, county board members said there were too many unknowns about the dairy's potential effects on the environment.
"I can't see any way to vote for this," supervisor Larry Clausen said. "I'd love to, but there are too many unanswered questions."
Bob Batcheller, who cast the lone vote in support of the dairy, said he has always supported economic development in the county and that the DNR wouldn't grant a permit if the project didn't meet state environmental regulations.
"I trust the DNR. I trust them to do right by the people of Woodbury County," Batcheller said.
Nick Hytrek can be reached at 712-293-4226 or nickhytrek@siouxcityjournal.com.
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JustZFacts wrote on Feb 17, 2008 12:41 PM:
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Reality Check wrote on Jan 30, 2008 9:35 PM:
As far as providing any economic boost with jobs with great wages, it wouldn't be here. Go down to the dairy in Luton or Wayne and see for yourself who works there. I doubt very few if any of these people lived in the comunity before the dairy at Luton opened. Did anyone see the pictures of trailer park in Nebraska where these migrant dairy workers lived? Who is supporting who?
What these developers need to realize it's not about them but the people who live in the area now!
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Not fooled! wrote on Jan 30, 2008 8:56 PM:
inbred wrote on Jan 30, 2008 5:23 PM:
Serious? wrote on Jan 30, 2008 10:56 AM:
I congratulate the Supervisors for doing what was right and the citizens of Lawton for putting up a fight!
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