ANGOLA —A proposed 4,800-head confined animal feeding operation for hogs has drawn concerns from miles around in the last few months.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is hoping to address those concerns at a public meeting from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 22, at the Steuben Community Center, 317 S. Wayne St.
Keith Werner, owner of K and D Contract Pork LLC, Angola, is proposing the CAFO on a 60-acre parcel. Approval is needed from IDEM. The parcel is located at C.R. 200N and C.R. 600W.
What the meeting will entail
Barry Sneed, IDEM public information officer, said the meeting will be held to address concerns with the proposed CAFO.
“It’s an informational meeting to see the plans for the farm, where it’s located, what IDEM does by statute. It’s more of an open house style,” Sneed said.
Sneed said the state has 90 days to make a decision on the CAFO. That time frame is adjusted if additional information is required by the state.
Werner did not return a call to The Herald Republican Thursday.
A third-generation farmer, he said in a June he wants to be a good neighbor. Werner currently lives on a farm one mile south of the proposed CAFO.
“I hope people understand I’m not out to destroy stuff and when we’re done, we will not go away,” Werner said.
He emphasized he has no intention of not following IDEM regulations, and does not have a disregard for the environment or his neighbors.
IDEM officials said they received Werner’s permit application June 19, and the agency’s staff now has 90 days to make a decision. Though that deadline will now change, as IDEM needs additional information.
Werner said he does have a manure management program and fully intends to control runoff as a livestock farmer. Werner’s petition said he plans to create an underfloor manure pit with a 380-day storage capacity. The manure and wastewater would be used on his cropland as fertilizer.
If Werner is given IDEM approval, he plans to build two barns — each holding 2,400 head of hogs.
Sneed said the state currently monitors about 1,881 CAFOs, with Steuben County home to one CAFO and three confined feeding operations.
In order for Werner to get his CAFO approved, Sneed said several steps must be followed. Werner must notify IDEM of construction and have state setbacks. The farm has to get local zoning.
In addition, a CAFO petitioner must contact all bordering landowners, Sneed said. Professional engineers and geologists also look at plans.
IDEM is not responsible for impact on roads and zoning, which are both local issues.
Sneed said animal carcasses — which are seldom an issue — are handled by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.
Frank Charlton, Steuben County plan director, said the parcel Werner is proposing as a site for the CAFO already is zoned agricultural. Because more than 300 head of hogs are proposed, Charlton said a special exception would be required by the county.
Werner’s parcel is in the vicinity of several lakes, including Pine Canyon, Crooked and Lime and Lake Gage. Members of those lake associations have spoken out against possible pollution problems.
Those neighbors have have raised concerns about the impact it could have on air quality, water contamination from manure runoff, Steuben County’s tourism industry, decreased property values and damage to road conditions due to excess truck weights.