Board tables feedlot permit in Bashaw Township

Residents protest

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Following a debate between landowners on Tuesday, a request for a conditional use permit to operate a feedlot in Bashaw Township was tabled by county commissioners, pending further information.

James and Ted Anderson were requesting a conditional use permit to operate a cattle feedlot operation on 447 acres in Bashaw Township, capable of supporting up to 600 animal units.

Clarence Weiss, a landowner to the north of the Anderson property, complained about the gravel bottom at the farm, which caused run-off of water during high rains toward the river, drowning his land.

"When water levels are high at the Anderson farm, it backflows into my soil," he said. "I am also concerned with animals that might wander loose, since no one lives at the site. There will be a fence, but no one is there to keep an eye on the cows."

Commissioner Richard Seeboth said he was hearing two issues, the drainage and the fencing, but if the property were fenced, then that problem was already being settled, leaving the matter of drainage.

Under guidelines established by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, it requires 382 acres for a feedlot operation of the proposed size. With 447 acres, he is well within state regulations, and the Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval, Planning and Zoning Administrator Jane Starz said.

"I am concerned for our welfare," Weiss said. "What I am fighting is the after-effects of a storm and what it will do to our land."

The farmsite is located 700 feet from the Cottonwood River, which is well inside state guidelines, and the slope is gradual toward the river, but the farmsite itself is fairly level, Starz said.

"I am not against construction of the feedlot, but we seem to have some unanswered questions here,' Commissioner Donald Wellner said.

The county needs to conduct some research on the flood plain issue to guarantee that there will be no drainage problems, Seeboth said.

"I have no concerns with the feedlot itself," Commissioner Andrew Lochner said. "My main concern is with winter spraying and runoff matters. I realize he is covered by MPCA regulations and that the permit will be pulled if there are any violations."

The commissioners voted to table the matter until the May 23 meeting to allow county officials time to conduct research on drainage and land elevation issues related to the site.

Following the feedlot discussion, the commissioners held an informational hearing regarding repairs to Judicial Ditch 10 B and BE, which runs through Linden and Lake Hanska Townships and into Blue Earth County.

The ditch is filled with water along one stretch, which is causing severe damage to the ditch structure. County officials are working on getting the ditch cleaned up as soon as possible.

Residents were on hand to complain that there was blockage on the stretch downstream closer to the Blue Earth County line, as well as at the beginning of the ditch.

"There is a definite problem with drainage in the ditch," Commissioner James Berg said. "But if there is a problem downstream, then we need to fix that too. The longer water stands in the ditch, the greater chance there is for more damage."

The county conducted an assessment of the ditch which helped raise capital for the project, so all areas where repairs are needed should be examined besides those that have been identified by inspectors, Seeboth said.

"This is a pretty significant project, and the time to do something about it is now," he said.

The goal is to return the ditch back to the original state without widening it, and the washouts will be fixed throughout the course of the project, Auditor/Treasurer Marlin Helget said.

"I have no objection to cleaning the ditches, because they need it," one resident said. "But, water is bottled up in our area, and if you enlarge the ditch it will damage those of us who live downstream. The county should pay for this themselves."

During the meeting, the commissioners also:

* Awarded the bids for work at the family services annex to New Ulm Furniture for $2,009.37 for carpeting and flooring; Quality Floor Works for $1,254 for installation labor; and Puhlmann Lumber & design for $2,162.45 for materials for the handicapped ramp.

* Approved the development and printing of a 24 inch by 36 inch full color county highway map with the new rural addresses by Cloud Cartographics, Inc. of St. Cloud. They will produce 20,000 maps for $13,000.

* Approved the purchase of a radar for snowmobile patrol for the Brown County Sheriff for $2,007.50, which includes shipping.

* Approved the posting of an advertisement for a new agent in the probation department to begin in 2001.

* Approved the purchase of furniture and electrical work in the computer lab, as well as renovations at a cost of $3,453.16.