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.