DEVILS LAKE (AP) - Ramsey County commissioners are seeking an attorney general's opinion on whether a new county animal feedlot ordinance is legal.

Viking Feeders, a group of farmers and businessmen, has asked the county to ease new feedlot rules so it can build a 21,000-hog business near Edmore. General manager Paul Ivesdal is questioning whether the feedlot ordinance is legal.

Viking Feeders has asked the county to make portions of its ordinance dealing with surface water and manure disposal consistent with state Health Department guidelines.

Ramsey County State's Attorney Lonnie Olson said he believes the county ordinance is legal.

"It doesn't prohibit animal feeding operations," he said. "It just regulates manners in which the animal feeding operations are to be run."

Stenehjem in October issued an opinion at the county's request, saying state law does not prohibit Ramsey County from enacting feedlot zoning regulations. He said the county is limited by state law to regulating the "nature, scope and location" of animal feeding operations. His opinion did not address whether Ramsey County's ordinance met those limits, because the county did not ask.

Viking Feeders officials say the hog operation would follow environmental rules and provide needed jobs.