The North Dakota Department of Health has issued an approval to operate permit to Rolling Green Family Farms, RE, LLP for a hog farm near Buffalo in Cass County.
The operation will contain 9-thousand-56 hogs. Karl Rockeman is director of the water quality division at the health department. He says the permit includes provisions to address concerns with odors, surface water, and groundwater. He says about 150 people sent in comments or complaints during the public comment period, and all messages were considered.
"There's definitely a lot of interest in this facility. We received a number of comments, both in support and opposed to the facility ranging from very general statements to very specific, detailed comments. There were a number of concerns brought up about ground water and surface water impacts from the facility itself, and from the fields where the manure would be utilized as a fertilizer."
Rockeman says the granting of the permit will allow the company to proceed with construction of the hog farm. But he says local zoning and other applicable permits may also be needed before that construction can begin. He says the health department will perform routine inspections on the facility to ensure compliance with permit requirements.