Board approves Summit Farm master‑matrix score and construction permit notification to DNR

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors accepted the county master matrix review for a proposed Summit Farm swine finishing site after a presentation by the project consultant, Pinnacle, and set the county-level steps needed to forward the construction permit to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Kent Krause of Pinnacle presented the project and supporting nutrient management work. He said the proposal is a two‑building, fully covered pit system designed for 4,099 finishing pigs, with covered, rebar‑reinforced concrete pits and engineered slab construction. Krause told the board the nutrient management plan includes roughly 704 acres of fields currently authorized to receive manure under the plan, and that the county’s pre‑scoring on Iowa’s phosphorus risk index placed those fields in the two best (lowest risk) categories.

Krause reported the site’s master matrix total score as 480 points, above the state’s 440‑point threshold and comfortably exceeding the matrix minimums in the air, water and community categories. He described specific matrix items that contributed to the high score: additional separation distances to residences and public use areas, covered manure storage, use of injection or incorporation at application, truck turn‑around on site, and a written closure plan for the facility.

A neighbor and local landowner, Tony Coogley, spoke during public comment and said he was concerned by the number of livestock confinement operations nearby and by potential odors; he said he was “noted[ly]” worried about the smell. County staff said written notice had been sent to adjacent landowners and that the file included a nutrient management plan, construction specs and other supporting documents the DNR will review.

The board voted to accept the master matrix scoring and proceed with the county steps that pass the application to the DNR. The county will hold a board of adjustment meeting later the same day regarding building placement on the parcel; staff said the DNR then has about 30 days to process paperwork and issue or deny the permit. The board discussion noted the applicant’s commitment to injection or same‑day incorporation of manure and the company’s commitment in its permit application that, if the site is abandoned, structures and pits would be closed per state rules.

Ending: With the county acceptance complete, DNR review will proceed; staff said they will place the county board of adjustment findings on the board’s next agenda for formal action and will notify the public when the DNR issues its notice of intent to permit.