The North Dakota Department of Health has received an application from Tyler Aasmundstad of Grand Prairie Agriculture for a North Dakota pollutant discharge elimination system permit for a concentrated animal feeding operation to be located in Ramsey County.
That area is approximately 1.5 miles north of the Graham's Island State Park turnoff on Highway 19, approximately 3 miles northwest of the Six Mile Bay campground, approximately 3 miles straight west of Scoobie's Point, Sunny Hills subdivision, and Kenner's campground and less than 10 miles west-northwest of the city of Devils Lake.
The CAFO permit is written for 1,928 sows, 504 gilts and 242 nursery pigs. The projected amount of piglets from these sows would be about 44,344 annually. There would be a holding pit under the barns to hold manure which would then be injected into local fields. Mortality rate for CAFO hog farms is 6 to 10 percent, and these bodies along with the placentas will be composted on site. If the operation is permitted, it may expand its permitted capacity by 25 percent without triggering a higher setback distance. I have concerns regarding the site of the hog farm being so close to the lake and residences and asked the health department if they would do an onsite evaluation. They said they would mention it to their boss. I have asked for a public meeting or hearing so people of the community can attend and voice their opinions and concerns.
The North Dakota Century Code states that if "a significant degree of public interest exists" then the department will hold a meeting. I have spoken with several different people at the North Dakota Department of Health over the past week who have said to call either Karl Rockeman at 701-328-5225 or Marty Haroldson at 701-328-5234 and request a meeting or put in a formal request in writing to either Karl Rockeman or Marty Haroldson at North Dakota Department of Health, Environmental Health Section, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, N.D. 58505-0200.
This will be the only time the NDDoH will have to listen to our concerns before deciding whether to grant the permit or not. We need to have a voice, whether it's pro or con. Right now we have a beautiful lake with record perch, walleye, northern and endless recreational potential. We have clean air. Do we want to put our environment at risk?
