A volunteer group has been formed in Bon Homme County, South Dakota to find a compromise on the rules for permitting Confined Animal Feeding Operations in the county. Local pork producer Justin Rothschadl is a member of the group. He says residents have been divided over proposed changes in livestock zoning laws and recent livestock projects that have requested permits from the county commission.
He says the present county regulations follow the state rules, which call for a permit for CAFOS of 1,000 animal units or more. Rothschadl says they’re trying to find middle ground on a proposed conditional use permit process for the county that would be stricter than the state general permit for CAFOs.
Rothschadl says recent operations wanting to expand in the northern part of the county brought about the call for changes in the zoning rules.
The volunteer group will be reporting back to the Bon Homme County Commission during their July meeting with their recommendations.
