Hearing For Gage County Swine Facility Set For Next Week

By Gordon HopkinsThe public has another opportunity to provide input on a proposed CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation). A hearing will be held Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at the Gage County Courthouse, during the regular meeting of the county board. The Gage County Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Board recently voted to recommend approving a Special Use Permit for the construction of a planned CAFO (concentrated animal feeding operation) expected to hold an estimated 6,200 animals in section 25 of Island Grove Township, just north of Liberty and near the Gage-Pawnee County line. While the The Island Grove Summit Swine operation would belong to Summit Pork, the animals would actually be provided by Fairbury-based Livingston Enterprises Inc. (LEI). The land belongs to Otto Farms, which would provide the land to build the facility and then use the liquid hog manure from the CAFO to be injected as fertilizer on farm ground. A number of residents who live in the area have opposed the project. Among their concerns are road and bridge safety, water quality, flies and smell, and application of waste close to tile outlet drains draining in to streams.It was also suggested at a recent meeting of the Gage County Board of Supervisors that a methane digester be required to capture the energy benefits and decrease odor and pathogens.After the hearing, the Board of Supervisors will then approve or reject the recommendations or return them to the P&Z Board for further review. That vote will take place at the county board meeting on November 1.

Jansen Village Board Votes For Financial Audit

Steele City Schoolhouse To Be Demolished

Related Articles

High Winds Fuel Multiple Wild Fires in SE Nebraska

Sen. Ricketts Makes the Case for War

City Offices Closed During Move

A Broken Wire Over Railroad Tracks Leaves City in the Dark