FULTON — A proposed 7,000-head dairy is one step closer to being built in Hanson County, but some in the county say opposition to the project is growing.
Michael Crinion, of Hanson County Dairy Developers, recently received verbal approval of a water permit application from the state Water Management Board, pending a fact-finding pursuit. A public hearing was held July 13 before the board, according to Eric Gronlund, natural resources engineer.
The quasi-legislative, quasi-judicial board is made up of seven citizens appointed by the governor.
The dairy is proposed to be located two miles northeast of Fulton. The water permit would allow for watering the cattle, flushing milking parlors three times a day and drilling three new wells to draw from the Floyd-East James aquifer.
Crinion applied for the permit several weeks prior to the hearing, which was prompted by an appeal from residents in Hanson County.
Resident Robert Bender and state Rep. Stace Nelson, R-Fulton, both petitioned in opposition to the water permit.
Nelson said he is concerned as both a resident of Hanson County and as a representative for the people that the dairy will contaminate the area water supply. He said some wells near the proposed site for the dairy are only 16 to 18 feet below the surface.
“I didn’t want to get dragged into this big dairy fight, but it’s going to be a problem for Hanson County,” Nelson said.
Although between 60 and 70 jobs could be created by the dairy, many families have protested its creation, Nelson said. He put in his petition to attend the July 13 meeting to represent about 20 families from the area, he said.
“There’s a huge gathering in public opposition to the dairy,” he said.
He added that many residents have become aware the project is progressing and have formed a group called The Concerned Citizens of Hanson County, led by Robert Bender.
Bender declined to comment.
Although the board approved the water permit 7-0 after hearing the public’s comments and concerns, the decision could be appealed to the courts.
Representatives from the dairy will appear before the board in early October in Pierre.
“The prevailing party — the Hanson County dairy — will prepare findings of fact, conclusions of law and final decision,” Gronlund said. “All parties then get the opportunity to object and file alternative findings.”
The board will then take all the findings and any comments to arrive at a decision, he said.
Otherwise, the dairy is set to begin building, said Mary Wilcox, Hanson County planning and zoning director.
“Their (building) permit is valid,” Wilcox said. “But they cannot proceed until the water permit is finalized.”
Earlier this year, the backers of the dairy asked the Hanson County Commission about implementing a tax increment financing district. The commission held a public meeting on the issue in March, which was the last time the county discussed the issue.
Wilcox said the dairy can move ahead without the approval of a TIF district. However, if construction begins without an approved TIF district, the district cannot be implemented afterward, she said.
