County sets hearing for CAFO application

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A family hog corporation is seeking to expand in southern Floyd County, and the county Board of Supervisors has set a hearing date for the permit application.

McCandless Family Pork LLC has applied to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for a construction permit for a 110-foot by 210-foot confined animal feeding operation (CAFO). It would have an 8-foot deep manure pit extending the length and width of the building beneath it.

The building would house 2,490 head of hogs.

The building is proposed to be constructed 60 feet east of an existing structure of about the same size and shape that also holds up to 2,490 head, for a total of 4,980 hogs on site.

The operation is located in Pleasant Grove Township about 5½ miles northeast of Greene on 290th Street.

The Board of Supervisors Tuesday morning set a public hearing for the application at a special meeting 9:30 a.m. Monday, May 21, for anyone interested in commenting on the application.

According to Floyd County resolutions, the applicant for the permit and anyone else named in the permit will be sent a certified letter telling them they are required to be at the public hearing.

In addition, county Auditor Gloria Carr said she had identified 30 property owners within one mile of the proposed CAFO, and according to the county’s resolution they will each be mailed a letter informing them of the application and the hearing date.

In order to apply for a CAFO building permit within certain size limitations, applicants must fill out the state’s “Master Matrix” awarding points for meeting certain qualifications.

The Board of Supervisors directed county Sanitarian Jeff Sherman to visit the farm and confirm that setback distances from various things such as wells and other residences are accurate in the application.

After the public hearing the supervisors will make a recommendation to the Iowa DNR whether to approve the permit application.

Some counties around the state have attempted to slow the growth of CAFOs in their areas by recommending permits be denied, but the Iowa DNR usually overrules that recommendation and approves the permit if the application passes the minimum number of points needed in the Master Matrix.

Also Tuesday morning, the supervisors:

• Set a public hearing for a budget amendment for an amendment to the current fiscal year county budget to increase spending in a number of accounts including Veterans Affairs, Floyd County Conservation, the medical examiner, public defender. The hearing will be 9:15 a.m. Monday, May 21.

• Approved an application to renew the liquor license for Derailed Corp.