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Public meeting held for proposed Newalta Dairy calf confinement site; no objections reported
Summary
County staff held a public notification meeting for a proposed 560-animal-unit calf confinement site (separate from the existing dairy). No neighbors or township comments were recorded on the meeting record.
Pipestone County held a statutorily required public meeting to inform neighbors and solicit comment on a proposed Newalta Dairy calf confinement site of 560 animal units located in Elmer Township (NE quarter of Section 4).
County staff said the proposal is for three confinement barns (example dimensions discussed) to house weaned calves (about 200–500 pounds, roughly weaning to six months). The barns will use bedding-pack (solid) manure management; staff said the barns will be cleaned “twice a year whenever the ground is ready for manure” and that the applicants own or rent sufficient acreage for manure application. The site is about 1.25 miles south and a little west of the dairy; county staff described it as a separate site because it is more than a quarter-mile from the dairy.
County staff reported no public comments or township concerns were received before or during the meeting, and they said the location meets setbacks (county requires a quarter-mile setback for sites up to 5,800 animal units). The county noted the manure-management plan will be maintained and that the main dairy’s manure plan is submitted annually to the state; county staff will perform occasional spot checks and require records showing where and how much manure is applied.
The meeting was informational only; no board action was taken. Staff said the public meeting exempts the project from a petition for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet under state rules but provides neighbors an opportunity to raise concerns during the permitting process.
