Minnesota PCA Requires EIS for Proposed 9,000 Head Dairy
Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) Citizens' board voted Aug. 26 to require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed dairy in Stevens County. Riverview LLP, which owns and operates eight large dairies in western Minnesota and South Dakota, is seeking a permit for a new facility, Baker Dairy, with a capacity of 8,850 cows and 500 heifers, about five miles southeast of Chokio.
The MPCA board action followed extensive public comment from area groups and residents concerned about issues such as water use, dust, odor, cumulative effects, and manure management. PCA staff had prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet, and initially recommended to the board that an EIS was not necessary.
Riverview LLP has 30 days in which it could decide to appeal the decision. A webcast of the PCA board meeting including the discussion can be found on the PCA Citizens' Board webpage.