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Advisory Committee Materials | Planning Commission | Board of Adjustment Files | Floodplain Maps
Feedlots and Feedlot Permits
When Required: No person may operate an animal feedlot which houses over 10 animal units without first obtaining a Blue Earth County Feedlot Permit. In addition, a Certificate of Compliance from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is required for any animal feedlot that exceeds 50 animal units when any of the following conditions exist:
- A new feedlot is proposed where a feedlot did not previously exist.
- A change in operation of an existing animal feedlot is proposed.
- A change of ownership, including the transfer of a feedlot operation from one member of a family to another.
- An existing feedlot is restocked after being abandoned or unused for five or more years.
- An inspection by MPCA or County staff reveals that the feedlot is creating a potential pollution hazard.
The operation of all feedlots in Blue Earth County is subject to regulations as specified in the Blue Earth County Feedlot Ordinance.
Other Approvals which may be Required:
- Conditional Use Permits are required when any of the following conditions exists or is proposed:
- A new feedlot is proposed where a feedlot did not perviously exist.
- Any expansion over 100 Animal Units in size, or when a change in operation of an existing animal feedlot is proposed.
- An existing feedlot is restocked after being abandoned or unused for five or more years.
- An inspection by MPCA or County staff reveals that the feedlot is creating a potential pollution hazard.
- DNR Water Appropriation Permit
- Required when a feedlot operation requires over 10,000 gallons of water per day or 1,000,000 gallons of water per year.
- MPCA approvals which may be required:
- Engineering plans must be submitted and approved before construction begins when below barn concrete manure storage exceeds 500,000 gallons.
- Engineering plans must be submitted and approved before construction begins when earthen manure storage structures are proposed.
- Engineering plans to correct identified pollution problems must be submitted and approved before construction begins.
- National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems Permit (NPDES)
- Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW)
Processing Time: A simple feedlot permit which does not require additional MPCA or County approvals can be issued within two weeks if all required information is submitted with the application. In the event that other MPCA permits are required, the County will not begin the Conditional Use Permit process, if required, until the required permits or approvals have been obtained. All permits requiring conditional use permits will be processed through the Planning Commission and County Board, and are subject to the same 5-8 week time frame. County feedlot permits will not be issued until:
- A site visit is performed to verify that no potential pollution problems exist.
- All other required permits or approvals have been obtained.
- Required fees have been paid.
Fees: The annual fee ranges from $25.00 to $2,000.00, depending upon the number of animal units housed on the site. This fee may be adjusted periodically by the County Board.
Required Submittal Information:
- Completed MPCA Feedlot Application listing the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all owners and operators, signed by at least one of the owners.
- Proof of ownership and/or owner authorization.
- The maximum number of and type of animals confined on site at any one time.
- Legal Description of the land being used as a feedlot.
- Site plan drawn to scale which include all properties within 1,000 feet including:
- Dimensions of the feedlot, existing structures, proposed additions, proposed structures, residences, existing and/or proposed septic system(s), well(s), and property lines.
- All topographic contours.
- Distance between the proposed feedlot building or addition and the nearest residence, centerline of roadway, ordinary high water mark of lake, river or stream, all water courses, surface drainage, wetlands, dry runs, property lines, and existing buildings.
- Septic system plans drafted by an MPCA Certified Designer when upgrades are required or when bathroom or shower facilities are proposed for a feedlot building.
- Engineered plans for below ground manure storage structures exceeding 500,000 gallons in manure storage capacity.
- Soil maps and description of the geological condition, soils types, and seasonal high water table.
- Aerial photos of fields available for landspreading of manure (1/2 acre per animal unit). If additional land is needed to accommodate the manure management needs of the proposed operation, or if the land is not owned or rented by the applicant, signed land spreading agreements for additional land must be submitted on forms furnished by the Planning Department.
- Additional data as may be required by the Land Use Administrator to address site specific concerns.
Landscaping and/or drainage plans.
Review and Approval Procedures: A simple feedlot which does not require additional approvals such as Conditional use permits or plan review and approval from MPCA is processed administratively. That permit may be issued by the feedlot officer within a few days of the required site visit. Feedlot permits which require a Conditional Use Permit are processed in the same manner as all other conditional use permits, and are subject to the same deadlines, time frames, notifications, public hearings, and County Board approval as any other Conditional Use Permit.
