Morris dairy expansion won’t need environmental study

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency won’t require an environmental impact statement for a proposed dairy expansion in Morris.

The company Riverview has proposed expanding its dairy facility in Morris from about 8,000 to nearly 19,000 cows. If completed, it would be the state’s largest dairy operation.

Some local residents, as well as sustainability groups, had called for an environmental impact statement, a report outlining the project’s potential impacts on the surrounding environment, including land, air and water.

Sean Carroll, the policy director for the Land Stewardship Project, a sustainable agriculture group, said he’s disappointed that the pollution control agency won’t proceed with an environmental impact statement.

“Right now, community members want to understand how this proposal would impact water usage, water pollution, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and what it would mean for the future of rural communities,” said Carroll.

The MPCA said the statement wouldn’t be necessary after reviewing public comments and the project’s environmental assessment worksheet. The worksheet is a short document that lays out a project’s basic facts and assesses its potential for significant environmental effects.

The MPCA determined that concerns, which include water usage and pollution, will be mitigated by existing permit requirements that Riverview must comply with.

Regardless, some residents, including Sandra Fernow, who has lived in Morris for a decade, said that having an impact statement would’ve helped ease her concerns about water usage and pollution.

“I feel like I would have been comforted with more data on the longstanding impacts of the environment and the socioeconomic impacts of everything surrounding this project,” said Fernow.

Critics fear further dairy industry consolidation could hurt local farmers.

Brady Janzen, a partner at Riverview, said the proposed expansion represents a long-term investment in Morris.

“It’s going to support local jobs and local businesses and Minnesota’s ag economy overall,” said Janzen. “We really appreciate everyone who took time to learn about the project, attend meetings, ask questions and be involved in that review process.”

Janzen added that Riverview will continue working with state agencies and will comply with permit requirements to ensure conservation measures are followed.

Riverview is set to receive its feedlot permit on June 23. It is still working to get a water appropriations permit, as well as local zoning permits.