With one planning commission member abstaining from the vote, the Stevens County Planning Commission unanimously approved a recommendation for a Conditional Use Permit for Riverview, LLP, for a West River Expansion. The recommendation will now go to the Stevens County Commissioners for final approval.
A public meeting was held on August 3 with several residents addressing concerns about the expansion. These concerns were documented with follow-up and discussion. Findings of fact were then compiled for the Planning Commission members to review at their meeting on August 19. Once again, an overflow crowd attended the meeting, but no public input was allowed.
Planning Commission Chairman Don Wohlers went through each of the seven pieces of the ordinance requirements. With each question, he asked the commission members whether they agreed or disagreed. The commissioners agreed with the findings of fact for each question.
The application met all of the requirements, so it was then approved by the commissioners with all voting in favor. Commission member Richard Buro abstained from voting as a Riverview employee. The remaining commission members include Don Wohlers, Ace Sperr, Rob Kopel, Tom Lesmeister, Keith Marty, and Jeff Boyle.
However, the CUP will come with conditions. A list of 14 conditions was approved to go with the CUP, including:
• Construction in Accordance with approved plans and scope limits
• Expansion limits: Animal capacity shall not exceed 7,855 cows
• State feedlot permit maintenance
• State groundwater appropriation permit maintenance
• State and Federal compliance standards met
• Stormwater management and storage size condition
• Manure management and storage conditions.
• Carcass and mass mortality management
• Road maintenance and restoration
• Manure spills cleaned up immediately at permittee’s expense
• Emergency Response Plan submitted each year.
• Safety fencing around the liquid manure storage areas and water basins.
• County inspection rights for unannounced physical inspections of the facility, structures, and records to verify compliance.
Riverview agreed to comply with these restrictions. With the CUP approval of the Planning Commission, a recommendation will now go to the County Commissioners for final approval or disapproval. This will be on the agenda for the September 1 County Commissioners meeting.
