(Spencer)– The future of a four-thousand head hog lot in eastern Clay county is now in the hands of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The Clay county board of supervisors Tuesday held a public hearing on the “Master Matrix” proposal submitted by Steve Gustin of Dickens. His proposal calls for a four-thousand head hog operation to be built on four acres of land about three miles southeast of Dickens near the intersection of 370th Street and 320th Avenue.
About 20 residents attended the hearing, including Linda Butler, a neighbor. She expressed concern about the impact the hog lot may have on the local watershed, adding it’s getting harder and harder for some to stay in rural Clay county.
Rich Harves is a corn grower from Dickens. He spoke in favor of the Gustin proposal, saying the operation will have a positive impact on the local economy.
Supervisor Del Brockshus told those against the proposal the supervisors understand their concerns, but says their hands are tied by the state, since there’s no zoning in agriculture and all authority lies with the state and DNR.
The Gustin proposal did pass the Master Matrix by 40 points. The supervisors voted to approve the plan and send it to the DNR, along with concerns expressed by citizens.
(Story from Danielle Hitchings of sister station KDWD Hot 100 in Spencer.).
