Damkota Ranch permit renewed through Sept. 1; board notes dust and odor concerns

McPherson County commissioners voted to renew a permit allowing Damkota Ranch (Damkota Ranch Beef) to deliver manure within a five‑mile radius through Sept. 1. The applicant described current hauling charges and operational changes intended to reduce tanker traffic.

Scott Langdon, representing Damkota Ranch, told the commission the operation charges $50 for the first 30 loads and $100 per load thereafter; he said they were averaging under about 20 loads. He also said the ranch’s centrifuge is being rewired and should reach full operation in a few weeks, which the ranch anticipates will reduce tanker traffic from an average of about four loads per day to perhaps one to one-and-a-half loads once processing is stable.

A resident speaking during discussion told commissioners the unloading location remains dusty, and other members of the public raised concerns about odor and references to other nearby operations (Spring Creek Colony) that, one commenter said, “is not honoring that model limit” and produces a strong smell. Commissioners and staff discussed previous years’ problems during spring breakup when hauling concentrated on a small set of roads and caused damage; one commissioner noted earlier decisions to have multiple application locations to avoid overuse of any single route.

A motion to renew the permit through Sept. 1 carried by voice vote. No new technical limits beyond the existing five‑mile radius were set at the meeting. Commissioners instructed staff to note hauling routes and to continue monitoring road impacts.

The board did not change fee structure or adopt new operational constraints in the meeting; staff indicated they would continue to work with the operator if road or nuisance problems recur.