(Spirit Lake)– The Dickinson county board of supervisors voted unanimously today (Tuesday) to adopt the state’s Master Matrix System for locating large animal confinement operations. The system allows counties who participate in it to score sites of proposed operations based on issues such as air, water and community concerns. If the application fails the matrix, the county can recommend the D-N-R deny a permit for the operation. The final say, though, is still with the D-N-R.
Counties have until February 28th to adopt the matrix, or they have to wait a year before considering it again. Counties that don’t adopt it won’t be able to submit any recommendations to the D-N-R, nor will they be able to appeal the issuance of a permit to the state’s Environmental Protection Commission.
The Matrix goes into effect March 1st. State officials meanwhile are still working on the evaluation process and the forms to be used.
