DNR rejects CAFO in Appanoose County

By JASON McGRANN, Centerville Daily Iowegian

August 19, 2008 10:55 am

— CENTERVILLE — The permit application for a 4,900-hog confinement facility in Appanoose County has been initially rejected by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The Appanoose County Board of Supervisors received a decision from the DNR regarding the proposed confinement in Caldwell Township near Exline.
“On Friday we received a response from the DNR in regards to the scoring of the matrix system. Basically, it says they have denied the application from White Pork, LLC,” said Board Chairman Dean Kaster.
The letter also states that White Pork can contest the decision within 14 days of the receipt of the letter. If White Pork does not contest the decision within the allotted 14 days then the decision becomes final on the 15th day.
“We’re not here to take any action on this. This is just an FYI we’re doing for the benefit of anyone who is interested in it,” Kaster said.
The letter states that the application does not meet the requirements of this chapter and Iowa Code Section 459 for the following reasons:
1. The site contains a shallow well within 200 feet of the proposed confinement buildings. This well has been covered, however, not properly abandoned. Provisions in the construction permit could allow construction, however not building occupation until proof of proper abandonment has been submitted. [White Pork] would need to formally request this of the department.
2. The site contains a fresh water farm pond with an inlet that meets the definition of a water source. This inlet is within 500 feet of the proposed buildings. The owner indicated this pond was going to be enlarged to remove the inlet from the required separation distance. Again, this can be a provision in a construction permit, however, [White Pork] would need to formally request this.
The above reasons are not prohibitive in obtaining a construction permit, however require additional work on [White Pork’s] part.
The letter also stated that the application received 310 points, which is an unsatisfactory rating. The “Master Matrix” requires a minimum of 440 points to pass.
Although the board received a certified letter from the DNR on Friday, as of Monday afternoon, Blake White of White Pork LLC said he had not yet received the letter and wanted to wait to comment until he could review the DNR’s denial.