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Residents press commissioners on proposed Ottawa County megaswine facility; KDHE permitting and water safeguards questioned
Summary
Multiple residents at the July 21 meeting pressed Ottawa County commissioners about a proposed large-scale hog facility, asking whether KDHE had issued permits and urging safeguards such as double-lined waste pits and contingency plans for water contamination; commissioners asked for information and will revisit.
A string of public commenters at the Ottawa County Board of County Commissioners meeting on July 21 raised questions and urged precautions related to a proposed megaswine (hog) facility.
Brandon Copple asked whether the Kansas Department of Health and Environment had issued a permit and urged containment measures, saying he supported the project if safeguards were required. Kyrsten Rodenbeek warned of a lack of public trust and emphasized relying on science and research, and she urged emergency preparedness in case of water contamination. Renette Steinbrock told the board that "the meeting with KDHE hearing had 17 out of 24 speakers who were opposed to the swine facility," and Kathy Scharplaz distributed a citizens' list of questions including: "Do we have any solid numbers for how much the proposed megaswine facility would bring into the county in property taxes? What costs to the county have been calculated, and what are the ranges of those numbers?"
The comments together framed two central concerns for commissioners: whether KDHE permitting had been completed or is forthcoming, and whether local regulation or conditions should be required if the project proceeds. Speakers asked the board to consider requiring double-lined waste pits and limits on how long waste may remain on-site, and raised the cost burden if groundwater treatment (reverse osmosis systems) is later required, citing experiences in neighboring counties.
Commissioners did not take immediate action at the meeting. County staff and commissioners indicated they would follow up: Tammi Cox, County Clerk, and other staff will carry questions and requested language back to the proposers and to KDHE contacts and return the item for further consideration at a future meeting.
The topic was confined to the public comment portion of the July 21 meeting; the board did not vote on any regulatory changes during the session.
