July 25, 2017
A meeting of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors was held on the 25th day of July, 2017, at the proposed hog confinement area in Section 1 of Richman Township pursuant to notice duly given in compliance with Iowa Code Section 21.4. The Board noted due notice of meeting subject to said Code Section.
Present were David Dotts and John Sellers, members of the Board of Supervisors. Duffy Kester was absent.
Present at the meeting were Ted Petersen and Jeff Theobald from the Iowa DNR. Representatives from Iowa Select Farms were Darrell Hunt, Keith Kratchmer, and Jen Sorenson. Approximately 30 area residents were also in attendance.
The DNR explained their process and that they had 60 days to approve or disapprove the application from Iowa Select Farms. They will review the manure management plan, the site and distances. All of the guidelines for this are set by the Iowa Legislature. The application master matrix must score 440 out of 880 points to be approved.
Public comments were encouraged, with many questions and concerns arising from the group gathered at the site.
Residents questioned the air quality and how this facility might affect the health of the people who live nearby. They were asked if they have an O factor meter and Iowa Select representatives stated that they do not have one at any of their facilities.
It was stated that this facility will bring 20 jobs to the area. This raised the question about truck traffic and the damage to county roads. Residents also questioned no drug testing for Iowa Select Farms’ employees.
Water quality in the event of a spill or leakage was another concern addressed by residents. There was also a question asking where they would get the water for this facility. Iowa Select stated that Rathbun Water cannot supply their needs so they will be piping water from the well at another site.
A question about electric power was asked. Iowa Select stated that Clarke REC will upgrade to 3 phase and there will be backup generators. Residents expressed concerns about right of way and whether those would be granted by property owners.
Jen Sorenson from Iowa Select Farms discussed Community Care Grants given to the community.
Iowa Select Farms plans to have a composting building on site. They will have 12 ft deep pits under the buildings and manure will be removed once a year. Soil samples will be taken every 4 years.
A question arose about the role of the Wayne County Supervisors in this process. It was stated that the County collects comments from residents, reviews the matrix and will vote on the proposal.
Residents also expressed a concern about their property values if the facility is placed in this location.
Sellers thanked the residents for attending the meeting and made a motion to adjourn with a second by Dotts.
There being no further business, the next meeting of the Wayne County Board of Supervisors will be held Friday, July 28, 2017 at 9:00. This will be a Public Hearing on the proposed hog confinement.
Attest:
________________________ ___________________________
David Dotts, Chairperson Denise Becker, Secretary