(Milford)– A tentative agreement has been reached to prevent the construction of a four thousand head hog confinment in Okoboji Township southwest of Milford. The agreement was reached after extensive negotiations involving Dutch Creek Farms, the company that wanted to build the lot, Dickinson county, and a citizens group, “Save Dickinson County’s Environment”.
Assistant Dickinson County Attorney Lonnie Saunders says Dutch Creek has agreed NOT to construct the hog lot in exchange for 52,500-dollars, and will drop its pending application before the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for a construction permit. The county will have to come up with 27,500-dollars of the amount, with the remainder to come from Save Dickinson County’s Environment.
The tentative agreement also calls for the five-acre parcel of land to be conveyed to Dickinson county, or its designee. It will be the county’s responsibility to restore the land to its pre-excavation condition.
The tentative agreement also calls for all parties, including Dickinson county, to sign a mutual release releasing all parties from any liability.
Another condition of the settlement is that Dutch Creek Farms will agree not to seek a permit to own or be responsible for operating any future confinement livestock operations in Dickinson county.
The agreement is tentative until final action by the Dickinson county board of supervisors. They’ll take it up at their next regular meeting this coming Tuesday, March 4th.
