To the residents of Bon Homme County,

I am NOT in favor of the proposed changes to the zoning ordinance. There will be 3 classes of animal feeding operations: Class A – 1000 animal units and above; Class B-800-999 animal units and Class C-800-999 animal units within one-quarter mile of the owner’s primary residence and/or farmstead. For those that are not familiar with “animal units”, an animal unit is a number representing a measure for livestock. In the concern of cattle and swine, one animal unit is equal to 1 beef animal and 2.5 finisher swine (over 55 lbs). For a complete list of the animal unit representation for all species raised in Animal Feeding Operations, consult a zoning board member or any commissioner. My biggest concern is with the setbacks. According to the proposed ordinance, Animal Feeding Operations and their waste facilities shall be located no closer than the following regulations prescribe from any incorporated municipality, church, school, Rural Residential District or Platted Townsite Residential: Class A one mile and Class B one-half mile; Animal Feed Operations and their waste facilities shall be located no closer than the following regulations prescribe from any residential dwelling: Class A three-quarter mile and Class B one-quarter mile. I do not see an issue with Class C because it is the owner’s choice to allow an animal operation to be built within one-quarter mile of their primary residence. Other than that, my personal opinion is that NO ONE should have to live within one-quarter of a mile of another individual’s animal feeding operation. We’ve all heard the complaints about dust, smell, road destruction, etc. Both feed and livestock are often transported at all hours of the day and night, at times destroying our rural roads to the point that they are not passable. What follows is that alternate routes are taken and more rural roads are destroyed. The sounds emitted from a hog confinement are substantially disturbing; the sound of fighting that occurs in these types of operations as the hogs mature are synonymous to that of slaughter. Combined with loading the trucks in the middle of the night one can see the effect it would have on a family with children. My personal feeling is that someone living within one-quarter of a mile of an animal feeding operation will never have peaceful privacy of any kind again. It’s not what I want for our county residents, both town and rural. Yes, we are an agricultural county and state, but I’d like to see consideration and respect shown towards everyone.

I have heard numerous times from some of our livestock producers that there’s just no place to build or expand. In my area at least 7 of the CAFO’s are owned by an out-of-state entity. They own the land and barn and presumably the hogs. That pretty much leaves the manure. There is no longer a 5-mile limit for animal waste transportation. These issues seriously concern me and I don’t like to see this happening in our county.

There are also decreases in setbacks for property lines delineating a change in ownership and road right of ways, both from 300 feet to 75 feet for Class B and Class C.

There is a road haul agreement included in the proposed ordinance. It is to be submitted and approved by the Board of Adjustment prior to construction commencing. I believe it is just too vague. It will be our highway superintendent’s duty to monitor the roads, the routes, etc. during the construction and operation of an animal feeding operation.

There are two other issues the residents need to be aware of. The first concerns the signature waiver. The county has the right to waive the approval and signature requirements for any construction within the prescribed setbacks. In the Board of Adjustment’s opinion,

if the failure or inability to obtain approval is not directly related to the real or perceived impacts of the proposed operation, by vote of two-thirds of the full membership of the Board of Adjustment, they may waive the approval and signature requirements. The second refers to the Agri

The second refers to the Agricultural Use Covenant Running with the Land. Prior to the construction or expansion of any residential structure, this covenant shall be submitted and approved by the Board of Adjustment.

Of all my concerns, I would definitely like to see the setbacks increased. If any of these issues concern you, please contact any or all of the zoning board members: Jason Kokes, Doug Brandt, Tina Talsma, Richard Pechous or Justin Rothschadl, or any one or all of the commissioners: Russ Jelsma, Duane Bachmann, Ed Van Gerpen, Jason Kokes or myself. There will be a public hearing held before the Bon Homme Board of Commissioners at 9:00 a.m. on the 16th of November at the Bon Homme County 4-H building. Please, if at all possible, consider attending.

I continue to believe in honesty, fairness and open-mindedness in our actions as commissioners.

Mary Jo Bauder

Commissioner District 1