Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Proposed feedlot would threaten family

Proposed feedlot would threaten family

Jun 24, 2008 - 04:06:45 CDT

By AMY NELSON
Mandan

I am a resident in the Crown Butte area, west of Mandan. If people haven't heard already, Fred Berger is proposing to build a 10,000-head cattle feedlot about two miles from my home. I am very opposed and concerned for my family's health if this feedlot were to take place. In Thief River Falls, Minn., on June 10 the state health officials had to advise people near a feedlot to evacuate because the hydrogen sulfide fumes from the cattle's manure were making people sick with nausea, headaches and weakness.

There are many other negative outcomes of a feedlot I am worried about, including that the value of my house and land could go down with a feedlot as a neighbor, and the Crown Butte reservoir could become contaminated, because the proposed feedlot location is up valley from the Crown Butte Dam, so that would mean no more recreation area for boating and fishing. I know that strict guidelines need to be followed when feedlots are constructed, but there are numerous problems that could arise. Even a heavy rainfall could overflow the feedlot's drainage system and jeopardize the groundwater.

The most important factor: The smell that is associated with a feedlot, the manure can cause high levels of hydrogen sulfide which can make people very sick, like what happened in Thief River Falls.

My family and I just built our house last summer and I'd like to say it's our dream house, but if this feedlot is coming in, more than likely we will be selling our house, because I have to look out for my family's health.

There will be a meeting to discuss the proposed feedlot. Any residents who agree or disagree with the feedlot are welcome to come and voice their opinions on Thursday, June 26, at 5:30 p.m. in the commission room at the Morton County court house in Mandan.

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Comments

Numbers wrote on Jul 1, 2008 7:14 PM:

" With all due respect for the state's farmers and ranchers, ND isn't an 'ag' or 'farming' state by very many measures. Perhaps in total acres allocated but, by far, not in total revenue or number of people employed in the sector.

Just a point of discussion for accuracy. Not really addressing the feedlot issue. "

Halatbis wrote on Jul 1, 2008 4:07 PM:

" It was 3 or 4 years ago the State of ND was concerned about the lack of jobs to keep our younger people in the state. Now we have jobs and WCE is getting very choosy about what kind of work is "fit" for Americans to do. I wonder how many good jobs will come out of one 10,000 cattle feed operation? First there would be a Vet who would be retained for about half his annual workload--then a couple of feed haulers, a few truckers to bring in and take out, a couple of maintenance people to take care of equipment and structures, and the people who clean and clear waste (using skid-seer and power equip't. And there will be an on-site manager to keep it all going. Then there is the waste which is a saleable product, as well. Maybe Mr. Berger (is that the owner developer?) will be doing the community a favor by providing the economics for a dozen jobs for local people. We need more investors like this. You can sniff and turn up your nose at that if you wish. "

myself wrote on Jul 1, 2008 3:41 PM:

" You know I really think ther is a lot of misunderstanding going on with this. It is not that the peeps dont want a feed lot but just not that close to a developed area. Come on lets think her folks no body in ther right mind wants to live near a feed lot. A new one should have to be out further than a mile more like ten from any home. I think the law should read for every 1000 head per mile. That would be a great way to go around that issue. The other thing is ther is some people that really dont knowhow to voice ther opinions the right way but are trying hard to keep the feed lot out of the area. of Crown butte. I agree it is to close to the
the homes especially the newer ones and especially the bahm. Sorry if I did not spell that right and also haggarots sons home. he has had that planned for to long this feed lot needs to go further out. That is all everyone is saying. Think hard everyone Would you really want live that close.. Those who own it can live on it or buy everyone out i guess that would be fair "

BAN wrote on Jul 1, 2008 7:14 AM:

" Gee: I am busy working our our farm with my family in a nearby county. See, we have a feedlot too, and its how our family lives. Crops, cattle, living off the land, ya get it now? Did I happen to mention we have 5 kids that I also take care of? So take your lazy farmer barnyard jokes some where else, what do you do for a living? Wanna trade? "

Gee wrote on Jun 30, 2008 2:22 PM:

" BAN, if you are tired of reading about the smell maybe you ought to go outside and do some work around your barnyard, instead of sitting on your computer reading the comments! Or do you work for Berger? "

BAN wrote on Jun 29, 2008 5:02 PM:

" I am really sick of hearing about how bad it will stink once this lot goes in. Big deal. So the refinery in Mandan smells better? We are an AG STATE. Remember? I am sorry that all you city folk moved out into the country and now those of who need to make a living by running cattle or whatever are imposing on your peaceful, un smelly country lifestyle. Maybe you should hold a protest walk down by your lagoon...... "

wce wrote on Jun 29, 2008 9:58 AM:

" Halatbis, how many young men and women that you know would be willing to work on a mega herd cattle operation? Gee, that really sounds just like I job I would LOVE to have! I am not speaking about myself, as I have worked with cows all my life but, this is a different situation... lotta cows... lotta ---- (manure)
Maybe we will have to import a bunch of Mexicans to do that work becuase I don't know of any young people around here that want to work on a place like that! Do any of the cowboys that were in attendance at the meetiing plan on working there? Or were they all employees of Berger? Just wondering! "

getting info wrote on Jun 27, 2008 11:07 PM:

" CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE:
savecrownbutte.com "

wce wrote on Jun 27, 2008 5:11 PM:

" To: DF, What makes you think Fred Berger has more money that others do? Because he is putting up a feedlot that is financed by others? Check your facts before you go off on a tangent!
Mr. Berger should have been looking for a new place for his feedlot 20 years ago! That is the fact! Then he would have been able to buy land at less cost and been able to put it where there are not so many Morton County Residents!
Yes, this is ag country but, Crown Butte area is getting very developed, especially where the GM of MWRS wants it to be developed. One old man on the board last night said he had been on P&Z for 30 years..... I think it is time that man is off of there! He can only see what someone else tells him to see!
The area is changing and I really do not feel that the P&Z board we have now is capable of doing the job it needs to do! This feed lot should be away from the the residents of the CB area! "

Halatbis wrote on Jun 27, 2008 4:47 PM:

" I lived and travelled for many years in Iowa, and will say the swine industry raised a real stink--think 95 degrees and high humidity in summer--uffda. However, there is a big difference in a swine operation and a cattle operation, plus our weather in ND is not as wet or as hot. There are ways to clean a large operation and reduce the fugitive odors. ND has tremendous potential for this kind of value added agri-business, and there is money and jobs to keep our young people here. "

DF wrote on Jun 27, 2008 3:30 PM:

" I think that everyone should be tickled pink that there is talk of a feedlot. We need more ag-based businesses such as this. We need our own slaughter facility as well. What do you want, infected diseased cattle from who knows where? This is an opportunity for growth in agriculture. The lagoons in the cities and towns in the area probably smell worse than those found on farms and ranches. I think you need to stop and realize that this is a farming state and get your head outta the clouds. If you don't like it move to someplace like New York City. Get back to reality. I would assume that the biggest issue is that Mr. Berger has more money than you and you are jealous. "

Halatbis wrote on Jun 27, 2008 1:37 PM:

" This kind of development in a community of open and thinly settled land is never easy--the county commissioners or the planning and zoning commission do not have unlimited leeway in how they view and decide yes or no on a project like this. State law must be followed, as well as county regulations and P and Z regulations if there are any--then environmental rules must be applied----all of these hurdles being met then there is little reason that a projet can be denied. If a denial is made and it is based on arbitrary reasoning then the owner or developer can bring suit. An owner has some rights to develop his property, but his rights end where others are harmed. "

meeting wrote on Jun 27, 2008 11:07 AM:

" Hi Everyone, I was at the meeting last night also, I got to say everyone did an excellent job getting up there and speaking! We all need to be at the next meeting it is, TUESDAY JULY 1 AT 5:30 PM AT THE SAME PLACE, MORTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE, we need to all say the same stuff we did last night these people have ability to decide unlike the people on the board last night, and they will be different people, so everyone come again, we need to fight this, also tell everyone you know in Mandan because it affects everyone, if this feedlot goes up everyone that lives in Morton County will have to pay more taxes to pay for the roads to be rebuilt!!! "

B in M wrote on Jun 27, 2008 9:23 AM:

" Ummm, don't we have a livestock exchange right in town? I'm only a mile away from that and other than some cows mooing the night before a big sale, there is no problem. This will be two miles away from you house. Like another comment said, your lagoons are right by your houses. You should have bought him out just like I should have bought the lot next to my house before they built a cruddy condo. Next they're going to start putting up windmills, is everyone going to complain about those to? "

to wce wrote on Jun 27, 2008 7:20 AM:

" I too was at the meeting last night. Most of the testimony was emotion not facts, the commissioners can't rule on emotion. I am not saying there weren't some good points brought up, but some testifying looked like fools while others were rude this diddn't help. "

smell wrote on Jun 27, 2008 3:31 AM:

" I can't imagine feeding cattle at the feed, fuel, and other input costs of today, much less trying to expand. And that smell is the smell of money. "

Disappointed wrote on Jun 26, 2008 11:29 PM:

" These people act like all the people have justed moved to Crown Butte Area. Well guess what I have lived in the Crown Butte Subdivision sense Feburary of 1977. This feedlot was not even a twinkle in Mr. Berger's eye back then. He has gotten away with his ones in Mandan for many years. Now that they are trying to build up those areas we should put up with his garbage. Well I don't think so. I was here first and he should find someplace else. I know the so called Zoning Commission gave them the go ahead at the meeeting to night. So we will have to try to get more support to visit with the people we elect, like the County Commmisioner's. You along with the rest of us need to let these people know what is going on. The Zoning Commissioner's said that the number of people that where at the meeting tonight was the largest they have ever had. Also said that this is the first time they have all been there together for a meeting to hear from them. They also had another first. We the people of the area turned in petitions, which they never had done before. Now we need to start again and try to stop them at the County Commissioners meeting July 1. I am sorry that I use to call some of these Zoning Commisioners friend. "

wce wrote on Jun 26, 2008 11:19 PM:

" I told you that the Planning and Zoning would let it go through..... This was all cut and dried BEFORE the meeting! We could see that by the questions they were asking.... leading questions, to make them look like they were trying to look at both sides but, they didn't fool us! One of them made a comment about one of the people that testified before the board, saying in effect that he was trying to make them look like they didn't pay attention. Well, they didn't pay attention! They never do, most of them are incompetent to sit on a board like this!

Remember to vote out the incumbents in the next election! We NEED new blood in the County Commission and we need new people on Planning and Zoning! Can anyone tell me how we can get rid of the people on planning and zoning? Who puts them in that position? Do we get a petition together to get them out? What can we do to make them understand they need to follow the laws that are in effect for them! Even the 'judge' did not understand what the laws are pertaining to what authority they have!

The County Commission will approve this also, mark my words! How do I know this? Because the Planning and Zoning board are a bunch babies, that whine and cry, 'Well, if you don't follow what we recommend, then what are we there for? "
Remember this when you go to the polls the next time.... Get some new bllod iin there that will do what the people of the "

Personal discretion wrote on Jun 26, 2008 9:09 PM:

" Sounds like alot of jealous people out there who can't stand that someone else is successful. "

Rebecca wrote on Jun 26, 2008 3:59 PM:

" The smell from farms and ranches already gets into Mandan. What will happen when this goes up? It will get worse; and then Mandan will get to join the ranks of Grand Forks as worst places in ND to have a nose. "

BB wrote on Jun 26, 2008 12:56 PM:

" Soo, Fred is giving the county $20,000 to gravel the road to his feedlot. Whoopee!! What about the rest of the money to widen the road, build three new bridges to support the truck weight and black top? He wants the convenience of easy access to major highways and found someone willing to SELL their land for an astronomical price. I say, too bad. Forget about this area and go to your father's ranch way south of Mandan and put your feedlot there! "

West of Mandan resident wrote on Jun 26, 2008 10:56 AM:

" Smell, ground seepage, Hey what about your sewage lagoons, I smell them. Has your ground water been effected form the lagoons right next to your houses? You knew there were SEWAGE LAGOONS right next to you before you bought your house... Come on lets here some more unsubstantiated excuses. "

wce wrote on Jun 26, 2008 7:44 AM:

" To: Barney, the fact that this feedlot was being considered was not even heard until the last planning and zoning meeting! It was only mentioned at that time, that it was coming up at the next meeting. No one lets these details out until the last minute! How can one plan anything when the neighbors are not told about the plans?

And to: This is Nuts, NO, the county does not make much from taxes on this! But, the Co. Planning and Zoning will allow it to go trough, I have no doubt about that! One cannot put in a housing development that will bring in 70,000 a year in taxes but, they will allow this! "

crown butte resident wrote on Jun 24, 2008 10:43 PM:

" The Issue here is that the feedlot is NOT THERE NOW, Fred has not yet bought the land either, he has only applied for the permit, so I say anyone that does NOT want htis feedlot has the right to fight it, we were absolutely here FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

no way wrote on Jun 24, 2008 10:42 PM:

" I think if the guy that sells the land goes thru with it now he is the fool he can see no one want s it also we did the research on purchaseing our land no disclosures ect were ever mentioned about a feed lot and that would have had to be disclosed. "

Nodakman wrote on Jun 24, 2008 7:40 PM:

" Maybe you should buy his land so he can't build near you, that would solve the problem of people doing what they want an their property. If the Health Dept. gives the ok for the project it should be fine. If you are damaged later you always have the recourse of the courts. "

ps wrote on Jun 24, 2008 6:55 PM:

" The nelson family should not have to move because of the feed lot the feed lot should not be coming ther let it stay were it is also ther is plenty of other areas to put a feed lot this is to close to the development area . I do not want this in the crown butte area either I dont care how much money anyone has it is not right that he can dam off the dam already and do what he wants he is no better than anyone of us maybe even worse for thowing his weight around. NO FEED LOT DO THE RIGHT THING FRED "

NO way wrote on Jun 24, 2008 6:37 PM:

" I have listen to all these comments. The bigger money does win normally but what is morally right. I suport our farmers feed lots ect. I have no problem even working on them, But I do belive that a developement in the area especially with newer homes in not the place for this I hope that the state will get involved and see. This is not the right place for the feedlot. Crown butte is starting to grow. Lets let it ... Property values are going up and right now is a good time for that. If Berger wants to buy out the small developement and the housing area's I am sure they will all sell for the 200 grand or 300 grand that they have paid. This has been going on for a while people want to say then guess what as Buyers they shoudl have been advise andnow that can go back on who they bought from I sold real estate. People work hard for this some of them their first homes. Come on lets see the right thing done. The is plenty of other areas for the feed lot to go. ther is the feed lots on old ten leave them ther. "

ropen wrote on Jun 24, 2008 6:32 PM:

" Oh buy the way berger should have got to stay were he was why make him move? That is my ? HUM let me see because of the fire ? HUM same with Johnsons they were fine were they were. We had a chance to buy right next to them but we chose not to ..... So No we don t want the feed lot in Crown butte.
Leave them along and let them stay put but oh no the city is making them move from my understanding because of the Hazzard ? MUm Let me see.

Amy We support this 100% we will be ther to voice our right s to. No feed lot near crown go further north or south but away from the small town developments. "

Barney wrote on Jun 24, 2008 6:29 PM:

" Boo hoo hoo - as someone said, this feedlot idea just didn't pop up overnight - you should have done your homework b/4 you built your house and you probably would have found out what was going on, but you apparently didn't and now just because you move somewhere close to where someone wants to develop something you think your rights are more important. Reminds me of that idiot from Fargo who bought a house close to the race track in West Fargo (its been there almost 20 years or more) and he didn't like the noise so he threatened to sue. Why should someone new moving into an area have their way and others who have been there a while and are established have to give up their plans. I have no sympathy for you at all. Cruel, mean, perhaps, but enough of people trying to move into an area and change what is already there. "

ropen wrote on Jun 24, 2008 6:28 PM:

" I am one of those new residents as well. We chose to live out ther. We have convences in the area and now you want to bring in a feed lot with in two miles. NO this is bad for the health and for the values of the homes as amy says. I stand by this and will be at the meeting to fight not to have the feed lot I have contacted our congress as well and will go as far as I need to go to fight for what we belive in to. I have nothing against feed lots farming ect we ranch and have horses to.
but ther is a place for them I will be at the meeting on thurs "

wheels wrote on Jun 24, 2008 6:22 PM:

" Way to distort the facts Amy. If you don't like it move back into town. Fred has a right to his livelihood as long as he goes by state health regulations and county regulations. I have seen often where people (even these commentators) want to get out of town to live in the country but complain about the agricultural "smells" around them....BOO HOO! It's always ME ..ME ..ME. to some people. Agriculture was here first and as long as he follows the rules and regulations it's fine with me. "

Golden Dragon wrote on Jun 24, 2008 5:01 PM:

" The Nelson family would probably be better off moving if it turns out to be that much of a problem... At least that's what everyone says to the people near the railroad! "

CROWN BUTTE FEEDLOT wrote on Jun 24, 2008 4:46 PM:

" " I did take a look at the proposed site for the feedlot, and if we get enough rainfall it could easily jeopardized the groundwater and their eadily could be a runoff of the waste(manure). Did anyone look at the artcile what happened in Thief River Falls, MN, that all the people around the feedlot had to evacuate because of the hydrogen sulfide fumes from the manure, this feedlot had only 1,500 head of cattle, this propsed feedlot constructed by Fred Berger will have 10,000. The wind usually comes from the NW so even on a windy day people will be able to smell this feedlot in Mandan. There are other concerns that come about like who will maintain these roads out here, the weight limit on them now is 28,000 pounds going over the three bridges to get to this proposed feedlot, on each semi-truck hauling the cattle will have on it 80,000 pounds of cattle. So who will maintain the roads? Also, the road to get to the proposed feedlot will not fit a semi-truck and a school bus because of the road being so narrow, so now we have to look at the safety of our children on the school bus and what if theres kids playing and a semi comes over the hill fast or if its winter and how icey it gets on that road in the winter time. Another concern is will they have water tests done twice a year in the lagoons. People that live out here will have to have their own water tests done on their wells to make sure they are not being contaminated by the feedlot. " "

Little Man wrote on Jun 24, 2008 12:21 PM:

" So it this what it has come to again? Those will more money win? Those with more economic power are entitled to more gain? Why is Mr. Berger's dream more important than Amy's? Is one person's quality of life more important than anothers? This will be a real test for Morton County law officials. God bless the "little man." "

NDr wrote on Jun 24, 2008 11:11 AM:

" One thing needs to be corrected here. People think that counties get a WHOLE bunch of money when these come in. It's actually quite the opposite. These large CAFO's are considered ag related and in ND their buildings and all other related property are taxed only as farm land. That means you could build a mega million dollar operation and the county gets nothing except the farmland value. The county loses because it has to maintain the now heavily used roads. ND is one of the few states that exempt these operations in their entirety. This really needs to change. "

Closer than you wrote on Jun 24, 2008 10:36 AM:

" Amy, If it were up to me I think we should build a processing plant next door to the feedlot-I think we need some revenue in this county! I live even closer than you and I'm sure there will be plenty of smell but seriously :"so that would mean no more recreation area for boating and fishing" Please! Crown Butte Dam is pathetic-maybe a little revenue from our neck of the woods would actually cause the game and fish to do something with the dam Most everyone I know has rural water also and I'm pretty sure there are other much larger feedlots that have never had trouble with Hydrogen sulfide fumes. This is not right next door to the city of Mandan-this is quite aways out in the "country" if you don't like it move back to the city. I have lived south of a processing plant in west fargo-you know what all of these things mean?? FOOD-this is a food producing state-that should be a priority not your "dream house" "

This is nuts wrote on Jun 24, 2008 9:53 AM:

" Ah yes, the almighty dollar once again trumps common sense! Imagine the tax dollars on the turnover of 10,000 cows. That's alota mooooolah!! The county could care less about what the county residents have to smell, cause it smells like money to them. I would bet a pretty penny that not one person favoring this operation lives down wind. Wow!! "

Concerned wrote on Jun 24, 2008 9:51 AM:

" I really do support agricultural development, even feedlots, having come from an agricultural background myself, I'm fully aware of the struggles farmers and ranchers go through just to survive and stay viable. I still have family farming and ranching here in North Dakota. However, this is the worst possible location to build a feedlot in relationship to a major community. I'm not just talking about rural Mandan to the North and North West, but I'm talking about Bismarck and Mandan as a whole community.

The USGS has already done a wind study. See: www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/habitat/climate/wind.htm Nine out of twelve months the prevailing winds in Bismarck and Mandan are out of the West North West. If you look at a map, find 31st Ave and 35th St and draw a line WNW through that location to Bismarck and Mandan, youll find that we, as a community, are directly in the path of this feedlot. Those who think this is just a Mandan problem had better pay close attention to what is happening, this will affect all of us. We had all better get use to smelling like manure, except for May, July, and August. "

warmachine wrote on Jun 24, 2008 8:38 AM:

" The planning for a 10,000 head feedlot certainly takes more time than the year you've spent living in your newly built home. The fact that it is going to the planning commission indicates that the zoning probably allows this type of business. Good luck with your objections. I'm thinking your "Dream" house could become a litigation "Nightmare" if, or when, this feedlot gets built. Alas.... "

NDr wrote on Jun 24, 2008 8:31 AM:

" I completely understand your concern. It's all a matter of weighing your right to enjoy your home and property and their right to run a business on their property. When done correctly and run properly, operations like this can run fine and not cause the problems you indicate. However, the biggest concern to most is the smell. And, I do not believe anyone has the right to ruin another person's life. But we do all eat and also understand that ND is an ag state. You indicate that you're two miles from the site. Normally this would be outside the limits of the State Health Department. One thing I'd recommend is to contact the universities and see if they've done any wind studies in your area. For most areas they have weighted averages that equate to wind days. I looked at these once for our area and there were some directions that the wind equated to 70 full days if you were downwind of that it would be a major problem. However, there were also wind directions that were only 12 days total. If you lived that direction from the operation it would only be a minor nuisance. Do your homework and you'll have a better understanding of what the impact could/will be. "

rightonAmy wrote on Jun 24, 2008 8:30 AM:

" Amy, you are so correct. There are numerous reasons why this feedlot should not be going in where it is proposed. Isn't Mandan trying to improve the appearance of their town yet a 10,000 head feedlot just west of it is ok? Who would want that in their backyard, seriously? "

Concerned Angler wrote on Jun 24, 2008 8:24 AM:

" This letter suggests that the feedlot will be in the Crown Butte Dam drainage. Is that accuate? Do any readers here know that for sure? I hope it won't be. "

dj wrote on Jun 24, 2008 7:59 AM:

" Morton County Planning and Zoning will allow this feedlot to go in! We can count on that, after all THEY always do what is good for Morton County! HA!
After all what THEY say is THE LAW in Moton County! "

Mike wrote on Jun 24, 2008 7:42 AM:

" Amy, I do feel bad for you and your family. I don't think anyone would want a big feedlot to be built close to your home. However, I have a hard time saying that Fred can't build this feedlot becasue he is too close. I watched a tv new report about the feedlot and noted that the land they plan on using for the feedlot is clay based, which is ideal to protect ground water. In addition a 2 mile buffer zone between your house and the feedlot will be considered adequate by most. Unfortunately, if your family is unable to deal with the smell you may have to move. I grew up on a farm with a feedlot 200 feet from the front door and I lived. Eventually you get used to smelling like crap. "

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