Town committee says solar-farm owners must repair fences after sheep predation; Back Hills Farm eviction stayed until June

A Grand Island town board committee discussed repeated sheep predation at local solar farms and reiterated that solar-farm owners are responsible for maintaining perimeter fences, committee members said. The committee also reported that an eviction affecting Back Hills Farm has been stayed until June.

Committee members said they are following up on whether sub-surface or underground fencing is permitted on Grand Island, and on outstanding code-change items related to solar-farm grazing. Committee members said current local rules do not permit underground fencing in Grand Island, and staff will check with building officials and other town authorities about options.

Kim, a committee member who said she performed necropsies, told the group she examined several animals and found evidence consistent with predation. "I did necropsies on, I think, 3 of the 4 sheep and that it was predation based on the findings. There were big gaps in the fences that they were trying to remedy," Kim said. She described holes under the fence and signs such as fur and tracks on fence lines as evidence supporting predation.

Committee members reported that the owner of the solar property agreed to mend the fences; until repairs are completed, Back Hills Farm will not place livestock on the site, a committee member said. "They spoke to the owner, though, and the owner has agreed that they will mend the fences. Back Hills Farm will not put their animals on there, their livestock on there to graze until the gaps in the fences that have been found are remedied," a committee member said.

Separately, the committee said an eviction affecting Back Hills Farm was stayed until June; committee members characterized the stay as the current status and said they expect the owners to be vacating in June unless circumstances change. The committee did not take a formal enforcement action at the meeting; members discussed follow-up steps and communication to the town board and code-enforcement staff.

Committee members said predation appears to be linked to fence gaps and drainage-ditch areas where animals can pass under fencing, and that where fences were tight at other sites, predation was not reported. Committee members also noted differences of opinion among residents and town staff about causes and characterization of the incidents; one speaker said earlier town statements had suggested mistreatment, which others disputed.

The committee said staff and members will continue follow-up: checking whether underground fencing is allowable in Grand Island, confirming fence-repair commitments with property owners, and communicating updates to the town board and code-enforcement staff. No formal ordinance or new regulation was enacted at the meeting; members discussed next steps and reporting.