From the Supervisor’s Desk

By Don Schuller A public hearing for the proposed Hanover 11 Otto/Summit Pork swine operation was conducted on July 26, 2023. There was good attendance.The end result was the passing of the special use permit with a vote of 5 to 2. Supervisor Dorn and I voted against. I am not against the swine operation itself as it may seem.I do not recall meeting Dean Otto in my career with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). I had not had a conversation with him until now. Even if I had, it would not make a difference in my decisions. I strive to leave my emotions out of my decisions, making decisions based on the facts, while being fair to both sides regardless to who they are or where they are from.I voted against the resolution due to unnecessary regulations creating changes in the adjoining farming operation owned/operated by Mr. Otto. Roberts Rules provides a procedure for reconsideration at the same meeting or next but not beyond that. This provides a limited opportunity to re-vote.The Planning and Zoning Commission submitted to the county board their recommendation. This included four rows of trees completely surrounding the facility. The county board did change the required rows from 4 to 3. I contacted an engineer from NRCS who specializes in animal waste projects for the state of Nebraska and the engineer with Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) who approved this operation. Both indicated there are no environmental benefits to enclosing the site with trees. I objected, only, to having a windbreak on the southeast side of the confinement building. This portion of the windbreak is 300 feet long with gaps to provide access to the building and the field. It sits in the northwest corner of the section so the SE side is on the field side. This field is irrigated by a center pivot which will not be able to move past the proposed trees once they obtain enough height, possibly causing a change in irrigated acres or unnecessary changes in the farming operation. Due to little if any benefit from the trees I feel it is an unnecessary burden. Being a former windbreak planner I would not recommend it.Mr. Otto did not bring this up to me or anybody else, as far as I know, at any time. There isn’t enough benefit to justify the burden, money spent and profit loss.I contacted an engineer from NRCS who specializes in animal waste projects for the state of Nebraska and the engineer with Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) who approved this operation. Both indicated there are no environmental benefits to enclosing the site with trees.This will be posted on my Facebook page Don Schuller – Public Servant.This highlights the parts of the county meetings I feel are most relevant to my constituents. Use the link below to view the actual minutes and hear audio of the board meeting, when posted. https://gagecountynebraska.us/board_meetings/enhanced_minutes.aspxDon Schuller, District 6, Gage County Supervisor: contact don.schuller@gagecountynebraska.us or 402-674-3187

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