KERKHOVEN, Minn. - Riverview Dairy LLP of Morris is proposing to construct a fourth large dairy farm west of Willmar.
Louriston Dairy is proposed for a 127-acre site in Louriston Township of Chippewa County near the intersection of County Road 3 and Minnesota Highway 40, which is about seven miles southwest of Kerkhoven. Riverview is seeking to permit the operation for 9,500 animal units, which would consist of 8,670 dairy cows and 1,180 heifers.
The company currently operates three other similar-sized dairies in Kandiyohi and Swift counties west of Willmar: the East Dublin, West Dublin and Meadow Star operations. It also operates two farms each permitted for 5,880 calves known as Chippewa Calves and Hawk Creek Calves in this area. It also operates dairies in the Morris area as well as beef operations in South Dakota and Nebraska.
A public comment period on an environmental assessment worksheet for the Louriston Dairy project opened Monday and continues through Jan. 4.
The free-stall dairy operation is projected to produce 84 million gallons of liquid manure each year. The company has 10,500 acres available for manure application, according to its permit application.
ADVERTISEMENT
The dairy will send 56-semi loads of milk per week to a milk processing plant. With feed and other deliveries, the site is estimated to generate a traffic count of 38 vehicles per day.
On-site housing for employees will be provided.
There are six residences located within one mile of the boundaries of the dairy farm. The location does not meet the minimum setback required by Chippewa County of three-fourths of a mile from residences, but the owners of the affected residences have signed waivers to allow the dairy.
The dairy will require three wells to provide a capacity of 120 million gallons of water per year.
Emissions of odors and hydrogen sulfide from the dairy will meet Minnesota air standards, according to a report for the project by Barr Engineering.
The worksheet for this project is available on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency website at www.pca.state.mn.us .
It is also available by calling Charles Peterson at 651-757-2856.
Written comments may be sent via email to charles.peterson@state.mn.us , or mailed to him at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194.
ADVERTISEMENT
A public notice for the National Pollutant Disposal Elimination System
general permit also will be posted on the MPCA website. George Schwint of the MPCA Willmar office will be accepting written comments on the that permit either by email at george.schwint@state.mn.us , at 320-894-5866, or mailed to him at Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 1601 U.S. Hwy. 12 E., Willmar, MN 56201.
