Hancock Pro Pork Hog Feedlot Project
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Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Hancock Pro Pork Feedlot Project, Stevens and Pope Counties Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Responsible Government Unit Contact for Responsible Government Unit: William J. Lynott, Project Manager Operations and Environmental Review Unit Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 520 Lafayette Road St Paul MN 55155 651/296-7794 Contact for Hancock Pro Pork: David Paul Rt. 2 Box 88 Hancock MN 56244 320/392-5507 ABSTRACT: Hancock Pro Pork is a multisite hog feedlot project located in Stevens and Pope Counties. The project includes a hog farrowing and nursery site, which is jointly owned by the members of Hancock Pro Pork. This site produces feeder hogs, which are then distributed to the members either for feeding out to market weight at their own facilities or sale on the open market. An Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) was prepared on this project in 1997, and the MPCA concluded the EAW process with a negative declaration (no Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) required). This decision was reversed in late 1998 by the Pope County District Court, which ordered the preparation of an EIS. This draft EIS addresses the potential for environmental and socioeconomic impacts from the farrowing and member sites. In particular, the potential for impacts on ground water, surface water, air, human health, wildlife, and habitat are assessed, as well as manure management practices, appropriate alternatives, and mitigation. The draft EIS is being made available for public review pursuant to Minn. R. 4410.2600, and will be on public review for 45 days, during which two public meetings will be conducted in the area of the project. Written comments on the draft EIS will be responded to in a written response document that will in turn be distributed to all on the mailing list. Any needed revisions will be incorporated into the final EIS, which will be publicly distributed and then brought to the MPCA Citizens Board for the adequacy decision. All on the mailing list will be notified in advance of the public meetings and the Board adequacy decision meeting. List of Preparers The following were the primary preparers of the Hancock Pro Pork Feedlot Project Environmental Impact Statement. Pollution Control Agency William J. Lynott BA Biology, University of Minnesota, Duluth Graduate work, Idaho State University 20 years experience Project Manager Dean Fundine BS Secondary Ed., University of Minnesota, Duluth 33 years experience Air monitoring and standards Gregory Pratt PhD Plant Physiology, University of Minnesota 20 years experience Air modeling and standards James Stockinger BS Conservation, University of Wisconsin 4 years experience Hydrology and hydrogeology Gary Lackey BS Geological Engineering, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology 4 years experience Feedlot engineering and manure management Gantzer Environmental Software and Services Charles J. Gantzer BS Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution; University of Illinois (Urbana- Champaign) MS Environmental Science in Civil Engineering University of Illinois (Urbana- Champaign) PhD Environmental Science in Civil Engineering University of Illinois (Urbana- Champaign) 15 years experience Liesch Associates, Inc. Kenneth P. Olson BS Geology - University of Minnesota, 1980 Graduate Work, Hydrogeology Minnesota Professional Geologist #30102 Private consulting since 1980. Bruce Rehwaldt BA Chemistry - Gustavus Adolphus St. Peter, MN, 1981 MS Civil Engineering - University of Minnesota, 1985 Minnesota Professional Engineer # 19042 Private Consulting since 1985 Margaret Nelson BS Geology - University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, 1998 MS Geological Engineering - University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2001 EIT Private Consulting since 2001 Bryan Hassing BS Geology - Winona State University, 1990 Wisconsin Professional Geologist #885 Private Consulting since 1990 Michael Reisinger (No longer with Liesch) BS Land-Use Management - University of Wisconsin, River Falls, 1997 MS Environmental Engineering - University of Minnesota - In Progress Private Consulting since 2000. Impact Planning, Inc. Kenneth Nimmer: BS Environmental Administration - University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, 1989 MS Public Administration - University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, 1994 University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 1996 Planner for Government Entities 1989-1997 Private Consulting 1998-Present SIGNATURE PAGE This draft EIS was prepared by me or under my direct supervision Kenneth P. Olson, PG Bruce Rehwaldt, PE Liesch Associates, Inc. Liesch Associates, Inc. Margaret Nelson Liesch Associates, Inc. This air modeling and impact assessment of The socio-economic assessment of the the draft EIS was prepared by me or under draft EIS was prepared by me or under my direct supervision my direct supervision Charles J. Gantzer Environmental, Ph.D. Kenneth Nimmer Gantzer Environmental Environmental Software Impact Planning and Services, Inc. The draft EIS was reviewed and approved for public notice and distribution by me on behalf of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency William Lynott Minnesota Pollution Control Agency TABLE OF CONTENTS APPENDICES ................................................................................................................................. I ACRONYM LIST............................................................................................................................ I GLOSSARY ...................................................................................................................................II EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................1 1.0 PROJECT OVERVIEW......................................................................................................1 1.1.1 Chronology of Events ..................................................................................2 1.1.2 Decision to Prepare EIS...............................................................................4 1.1.3 Cost Dispute.................................................................................................5 1.2 SCOPE OF EIS............................................................................................................6 1.3 DATA SOURCES USED FOR THE EIS ..........................................................................7 1.4 OVERVIEW OF EIS ....................................................................................................9 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION................................................................................................12 2.1 GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION ..........................................................................12 2.2 GENERAL PRACTICES..............................................................................................14 2.2.1 Hog Feed and Additives for Farrowing and Finishing Sites......................14 2.2.2 Pit Additives...............................................................................................14 2.2.3 Manure Application Practices....................................................................15 2.2.4 Mortality Management...............................................................................16 2.3 SITE SPECIFIC PROJECT INFORMATION....................................................................16 2.3.1 Farrowing Facility......................................................................................16 2.3.1.1 Pre Project Description ..................................................................16 2.3.1.2 Post-Project Description ................................................................16 2.3.2 Alan Charles Feedlot..................................................................................18 2.3.2.1 Pre Project Description ..................................................................18 2.3.2.2 Post Project Description.................................................................18 2.3.3 Gary Greiner Feedlot .................................................................................19 2.3.3.1 Pre Project Description ..................................................................19 2.3.3.2 Post Project Description.................................................................19 2.3.4 Jon Nohl Feedlot........................................................................................20 2.3.4.1 Pre-Project Description..................................................................20 2.3.4.2 Post-Project Description ................................................................20 2.3.5 Mike Olson Feedlot....................................................................................21 2.3.5.1 Pre Project Description ..................................................................21 2.3.5.2 Post Project Description.................................................................22 2.3.6 David Paul Feedlot.....................................................................................22 2.3.6.1 Pre-Project Description..................................................................23 2.3.6.2 Post-Project Description ................................................................23 2.3.7 Stanley Schaefer Feedlot............................................................................24 2.3.7.1 Pre-Project Description..................................................................24 2.3.7.2 Post-Project Description ................................................................24 2.3.8 Jere Solvie