County counselor raises concerns about proposed north‑of‑Riley feedlot; offers to research KDHE permit process

During the public-comment portion of the meeting, Riley County Counselor Jacob Hansen told commissioners that a proposed feedlot north of Riley has prompted local concern and may be the subject of KDHE’s 30‑day public comment period.

Hansen said the purpose of KDHE public comments is to focus on whether a permit conforms to statutes and regulations and on potential water‑pollution control issues. He said general grievances are “likely to be unpersuasive,” and he told the commission he did not yet have the technical expertise to say whether the proposed operation conformed to statute or regulation. Hansen offered to research the permit record and KDHE’s interpretation of public comments “if the board would like me to,” but he later said he would not proceed immediately with drafting a letter.

Hansen also noted a technical detail: the applicant intends to use a grassland dispersion approach instead of a lagoon, and speakers raised concerns about downstream flooding where runoff could reach already‑flood‑prone waterways. Hansen warned that denying a permit that meets statutory requirements may raise due‑process or property‑use legal issues for the county.

The commission did not take formal action on the feedlot at the meeting. Hansen said he could investigate and prepare more detailed information if the board directed him to do so.