(Spirit Lake)—A public hearing on a manure management plan submitted by Duane Dodge and his son Heath opened this (Tues.) morning’s meeting of the Dickinson county board of supervisors.
The Dodge’s are proposing to expand an existing 75 head cow/calf operation about a mile and-a-half west of Terril. The expansion would consist of the construction of a 100 by 450 foot confinement that would house 990 head of finishing cattle.
The manure would be surface applied to 500 acres of neighboring land used to grow corn. The operation would produce about six thousand tons of manure a year. Between 27 and 40 tons per acre would be applied each year.
Lisa Nichols, Mayor of Terril, was present at the hearing. She told the supervisors the city had previously expressed concern over possible odor, but said that concern has since been alleviated as the second phase of the project calls for the construction of a covered facility that would store manure until it could be applied.
Nichols added the city had concern over potential groundwater contamination, since Terril draws its drinking water from aquifers. But Nichols says those fears were also alleviated after meeting with John Wills of the Cleanwater Alliance who reviewed the site Monday and reviewed plans for the proposed operation.
The supervisors had a couple of options for action to take based on today’s (Tues.) hearing, including sending a letter to the DNR expressing support; a letter expressing concern, or not taking any action at all. They opted for the latter option.
