County commissioners discuss dairy regulations

McCOOK, Neb. — At their weekly meeting Monday, Red Willow county commissioners discussed a construction and operating permit issued by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality to what is known locally as “the east dairy” north of McCook.

Commissioners will check with the county’s zoning administrator and planning board to ensure that the state’s permit and the county’s zoning regs are consistent in regard to changes proposed at Powerline Dairy LLC, owned by Ted Boersma of Cimarron, Kan.

The NDEQ indicates that Powerline is in the process of building a dirt berm around the operation, so that, according to commissioner Steve Downer, “there is no (stormwater runoff) water out of and no (stormwater runoff) water into” the property. Powerline is adding neighboring fields to land-apply liquid waste and is also confirming that the three existing waste ponds have the capacity to store 180 days of process wastewater.

NDEQ will conduct permit compliance inspections during construction.

Commissioner Jacque Riener wants to ensure that, while the state has approved the modified construction and operating permit for Powerline, operation plans still comply with the county’s zoning regulations.

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In other action, commissioners:

* Approved a refund of $3,786.24 to Accelerated Genetics (TriState Breeders Cooperative) of Baraboo, Wis., (owners of the former Nebraska Bull Service northwest of McCook), which paid its personal property taxes twice.

* Agreed to let county treasurer Sue Wesch use the commissioners’ room on Monday, March 5, for the county’s annual tax sale. Commissioners will not meet that week.