War Memorial Hall (American Legion) 515 East 2nd South; Mountain Home, ID 83647
Telephone: 208-587-2142 ext 502 or Fax 208-587-2120
MEETING
WEDNESDAY, 7:00 PM JUNE 23, 2004
Chairman Nettleton called the meeting to order, and established a quorum. Members of the Elmore County Planning and Zoning Commission present were Chairman Nick Nettleton, Vice-Chairman Al Sobtzak, Patty Osborn, Doug King, Courtney Hiler, and K.C. Duerig. Also present was Danette O’Donnell, Staff.
PUBLIC HEARING
BERNIE BROWN – CAFO APPLICATION
Bernie Brown, applicant, gave background history and explained economics of farming and dairy.
Darwin Vander Stelt, representative, gave siting background information. Discussed odor issues of flush verses dry scrape. He addressed truck traffic, water issues and usage. Discussed water issues will use less water then pumped now. Waste will be 94% composted and will be made available to farmers at low cost. K. Duerig asked if the lagoon water would be covered, and if that could be designed to have a cover in the future. D. Vander Stelt stated it would not be covered, but all lagoons are designed to accommodate covers, cost would be $400K. The Nutrient Mgt. Plan (NMP) could be a condition.
Richard Miller is concerned with water, just re-drilled well and is on fixed income.
Thomas Hinkler is concerned with smell, water, traffic and road condition.
Amy Hinkler is concerned with water levels, land values, water contamination, lights, smell with open lagoons, flies, traffic and asked how this will affect the Air Base.
Mary Tucker is concerned with water.
Fred Cooper is concerned with odor and possible contamination of the Snake River. He asked what would be put in compost piles besides manure and how often will it be hauled out.
Carolyn Gillen is concerned with water and traffic. She asked what happens when cattle die.
Gary Gillen opposes the dairy. He has concerns with water, smell, flies, mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus, Mad Cow Disease, and wants to know the result of the commission’s vote .
Carol Klemmer is concerned with the water, aquifer level, odor, traffic, and property values.
Rich Sheuk, Air Force Base representative, stated the Air Force can not be pro or against. They have concerns with water quality and aquifer discharge. The new housing will be xeriscaping, they are trying to conserve water. They have concerns with nitrates in water, flight pattern affecting livestock, and with bird interference.
Jeanette Martin is concerned with dairy saturation, traffic, and trucks.
Richard Appleton is concerned with water use and odor.
Billy Wolfe supports proposal. Dairies employ long-term people and might offer retention of the local population. They sustain a community and help the economy. There are ways around the traffic. Farmers are going broke and this community relies too much on the Air Base. Agriculture built this community, and needs to be supported.
Mir Seyedbagheri, University of Idaho Extension Agent, supports proposal. Dairies improve economy, and allows for more crops to be grown locally. Compost will add more organic matter to soil, which will enhance soil quality, water, and reduce nitrate poisoning unlike synthetic fertilizer. This will save water, energy, and increase crop rotation to farming.
Sarah Latona is concerned about water, agriculture market going down, asks will milk do the same.
Leni Briggs is concerned with smell, water, flies and traffic. Composting takes a while.
Paul Briggs is concerned with water, smell, and roads. He claims he did not receive notification.
Alden Bessey stated he worked for a dairy. He is concerned with water conservation, truck traffic and odor. He wanted to know if the compost piles would be covered with plastic and tires.
Debra Bessey is opposed. Concerned with losing the Air Base and with road maintenance. If approved, wants a guaranteed time frame to be built in.
Charles Barnett is concerned with water, odor, traffic and property values.
Aaron Cornell had concerns with labor camps, policing crime, and trucks speeding.
Fred Grossholz, speaking for mother Jennie Grossholz, had concerns with health impact, economic and social bearing of community. He felt considerations should look at an environmental analysis, chemicals in washing, and road maintenance. He felt there should be a bond posted for any detrimental expenses.
Wade Carpenter stated his concerns were water, flies, and odor. He wants the diary to be further out.
Mary Phillips is highly opposed, has concerns with water. Felt this will not have jobs to keep kids here, but will employ minorities.
Wade Carpenter felt there should be a stoplight at Air Base Road and Highway 51 because of traffic.
Alberta Eaton is concerned with the smell and water. She is on fixed income with health problems.
Garth Waddoups stated community needs a dairy, but needs to look at big picture. He does have concerns being close to airbase, but he felt that if done properly and in right place dairies can be good. Felt there would be odor maybe 60 days out of the year, the rest very little. He also was concerned that dairies should be spread out, problems come when too close together. Hopes the community will still be friends when this is over.
Jamie Rios has concerns with water, air quality, and road maintenance.
Michael Scott was concerned with trucks speeding, dust, and water. Asked if the feedlot would pay for testing the domestic wells.
James Eaton stated he would be 2000’ from nearest pen. His wife has emphysema and is highly sensitive to dust and airborne viruses. Concerned with water, drought, and too many dairies.
James A. Eaton is concerned with water and smell.
Billy Richey, Governor’s Special Assistant to Military Affairs, stated he had a letter on file, he felt the location was a concern. There were problems with quality of life and airmen retention. He asked if construction would be done after all the environmental assessments, and how many acres would be dried up to free up water rights.
Beth Cornell asked about the number of cows and acres and if there was enough to accommodate the waste, also concerned with water. She asked about how the liquid, solid and gas waste would be separated. She was concerned gas might be a fire hazard. She wants guarantee on the odor. She wanted to know if the compost would be available to farmers and gardeners.
Donald Genei stated he was concerned with the smell, water, waste contamination, noise from animals, and effect on population. He is also concerned with encroachment on Air Base and effect on quality of life, especially on the Base golf course.
Ronnie Smith concerned with water and with dairy saturation.
Elana Gridley, representing the Three Island Rural Council, they are opposed to dairies because of water and air pollution. They are not against ag operations.
Joe Churella is opposed. He is concerned with water, regardless of economic benefit.
Terry Ketterling invited people to come and visit his dairy. It is up and running. He felt there were a lot of misconceptions. He has proof he uses less water. This gives the community more opportunity to grow crops. He employs 50 people and they are all local with families and contribute to the community. Need to give dairy industry a chance.
Darwin Vander Stelt tried to answer questions from the public. Dairy is water conservation measure. Water rights will change from 4900 to 3800 so the dairy will use less water. There will be truck traffic, but would be there anyway for beets or potatoes, just spread out over the year rather than seasonal. Economically provide jobs and income with trucks, gas, and fuel taxes. Flies are always an issue but Health Department regulates abatement programs. The dairy cannot operate outside the law with this big of an investment. Compost will be organic matter, saw dust, and mint waste (plant matter). Aerate every time they add to compost, temp between 140 and 160 degrees, with very low moisture it does not produce a lot of odor. Bird control could be a condition of approval. Milk market is strong now because there is a milk shortage. Cheese and milk products are bigger in Idaho than Micron and the industry is moving west getting out of Wisconsin. Property values are already agriculture and should increase with a dairy. Quality of life is increase because this produces year round jobs not just seasonal. As far as environmental assessment, dairies are highly regulated. They cannot be licensed until they meet all criteria. There are no chemicals to wash the cows since this is a food product. K. Duerig asked if they have a letter from the Highway District regarding traffic impact. Chairman Nettleton stated Idaho Dept. of Transportation accesses Highway 51 and access. K. Duerig asked if there was baseline analysis of the water on property so they can monitor if anything changes.
Chairman Nettleton left the public hearing open to verify notification and accept for further testimony until August 4, 2004.
PUBLIC MEETING
1. VAN GROUW DAIRY EXTENSION
There was general discussion regarding this CAFO and improvements made.
P. Osborn motioned to grant an extension for one year until June 28, 2005. D. King seconded.
Aye motion carried by majority. Nay votes from Commissioner Sobtzak and Commissioner Duerig.
2. BROKEN ARROW FARMS – JIM BLANKSMA
Jim Blanksma gave background. The only changes were from flush to dry scrape and the orientation of the CAFO facility. The facility will stay within the same quarter section, but will just rotate 90 degrees.
There was general discussion if these changes are significant enough. Consensus was to wait for legal council before making a decision. Item will be re-addressed on July 28, 2004.
MEETING ADJOURNED
_____________________________________
Nick Nettleton, Chairman Date
Attest:_________________________________
Mark Russell, Administrator Date
