RUGBY (AP) - A proposed 7,500-hog business near Wolford, in Pierce County, has preliminary approval from the state Health Department.

"We've made our decision with minor changes, and if they get county approval, then they can go ahead," said Karl Rockmann, the Health Department's water quality specialist.

The county's planning and zoning commission voted 4-2 Tuesday to recommend a permit. The Pierce County Commission is scheduled to discuss it Feb. 5 in Rugby.

Larry and Carlan Slaubaugh own the property.

Cando Mayor Jim Gibbens, who owns the Dakota Country Swine and Hexagon 1 hog operations in the Cando area, applied for the Health Department permit.

Rockmann said Gibbens' hog businesses have a history of cleanliness and he is considered a good operator.

"We took that into consideration," Rockmann said.

Gibbens said straw will contain any odors that may seep from the lagoon at the Wolford site. He also said trees will be planted on the site and a $200,000 clean up bond will be secured in case the business fails.

Health officials said earlier that the proposed Pierce County business, called Hexagon 2, will have 6,094 sows at an average weight of 375 pounds and 1,500 nursery pigs at an average of 35 pounds, with seven barns.

The hogs will produce about 9,475 gallons of manure per day, or 606 pounds of nitrogen, 468 pounds of potassium and 459 pounds of phosphorus per day, officials said.

The site is just south of Wolford in Union Township, near the Towner County line.

Harriet Bracken, a neighbor who has spoken out against the Wolford farrowing operation, said she was disappointed with the Health Department's decision to approve the permit.

"I'm upset about it, Bracken said. "They could have given consideration to a moratorium until more research was done."