PERMIT OKAYED FOR ADL V SOW FARM

DES MOINES - In a five-to-three vote via conference call Wednesday, the
Environmental Protection Commission approved issuing a construction permit
for the ADL V sow confinement two miles northeast of Murray in Clarke
County.

The vote gives Swine Graphics Enterprises the okay to begin construction of
a 3,827-animal confinement facility.

The commissioners decision hinged on whether or not Swine Graphics had
complied with administrative rules requiring proof that they had enough
water to dilute manure prior to receiving a permit.

Commissioners concluded that although the rule requires proof of dilution
water before a permit is issued, it does not require proof of ongoing
drinking and washing water, or water for the initial filling of the lagoon.
However the permit will require that proof before the buildings are
populated.

Rita Venner of Breda made the motion to uphold the DNR's position to issue a
permit, saying, "I don't think we can base our vote on our frustration with
the rule."

Voting in favor of the DNR position were Venner; Terrance Townsend, Chair,
Newton; Kathryn Murphy, LeMars; Darrell Hanson, Manchester; and Lori
Glanzman, Mt. Pleasant.

James Braun, Latimer; Lisa Davis-Cook, West Des Moines; and J. Kelly Tobin,
New Market voted to oppose the motion.  Gary C. Priebe, Algona, was not
present.

Commissioners heard arguments Monday at the regular EPC meeting and voted
four to two to deny the permit, but there was no final decision because they
needed a majority vote of five.

The Clarke County Board of Supervisors demanded a hearing in October because
of three concerns: inadequate water supplies, lack of acres to spread manure
and a pending enforcement action against Swine Graphics Enterprises.

"After extensive review by DNR engineers, Swine Graphics has met all the
requirements for a construction permit to be issued," said Wayne Gieselman,
coordinator of the DNR animal feeding operations program.

The next commission meeting will be held at 11 a.m., Dec. 17, at the Boone
County Fairgrounds in the community building, following a tour of a former
coal gas manufacturing plant where contamination is being removed.

For more information, contact Wayne Gieselman, coordinator of the DNR animal
feeding operations program, at (515) 281-5817.

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