NOTICE OF INTENT TO APPROVE AN
APPLICATION FOR MAJOR MODIFICATION
Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
Water Permits Division
Lincoln, Nebraska
Pursuant to the Neb. Rev. Stat. 54-2425 (4) as amended, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (Department) is issuing notice to provide an opportunity for any interested person to submit written comments on the proposed decision for the following concentrated animal feeding operation.
This Public Notice period will be from October 4, 2017 through November 6, 2017. Comments made should pertain to issues for which the Department has authority under the Livestock Waste Management Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 54-2416 through 54-2435).
Gary L. Bennett
USDA Meat Animal Research Center
844 Road 313, PO Box 166
Clay Center, NE 38933
The proposed livestock waste control facilities (LWCF) are located in the SE 1/4, Section 04 & Section 05, Township 06N, Range 07W; Section 32 & SW 1/4, Section 19 & NW 1/4, Section 30, Township 07N, Range 07W; S 1/2, Section 24 & N 1/2, Section 25, Township 07N, Range 08W, Clay County, Nebraska. The application proposes the following major modifications: removal of three gutter flush barns, construction of two buildings with underfloor shallow pits, and renovation of three gutter flush barns.
The application indicates an existing maximum of 7,200 head of feeder cattle, 9,100 head of sheep, and 3,800 head of swine greater than or equal to 55 lbs., and proposes an increase of 935 head of swine greater than or equal to 55 lbs., for a total maximum capacity of 7,200 head of feeder cattle, 9,100 head of sheep, and 4,735 head of swine greater than or equal to 55 lbs.
The existing LWCF includes thirteen holding ponds, four earthen lagoons, eight debris basins, seven vegetative treatment areas, eighteen confinement barns, twenty-three gutter flush barns, and two buildings with shallow pits with pull plugs.
The Department has reviewed the application to ensure compliance with the Livestock Waste Management Act and Title 130 – Livestock Waste Control Regulations. Currently, the Department intends to approve the application for a major modification to the previously issued permit. Upon completion of review of any written comments received, NDEQ will make a final decision on the permit application and respond to any comments.
The application and other public information is available for review and copying between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CT), weekdays at the Department's Office, Suite 400, The Atrium, 1200 N Street, Lincoln, Nebraska, telephone (402) 471-2186. Individuals requiring special accommodations or alternate formats of materials should notify the Department by calling (402) 471-2186. TDD users should call (800) 833-7352 and ask the relay operator to call the Department at (402) 471-2186. Please include the above name and legal description of the animal feeding operation.
All comments should be sent to: Agriculture Section, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, PO Box 98922, Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-8922.