In the heart of Nebraska, a proposed hog operation near Valentine has sparked significant public concern, gathering around 40 letters from current and former residents. The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) has received this feedback since July 1, with most residents expressing opposition.
DWEE has announced its intention to approve a permit for TK Angus Co. to build two swine finishing barns, accommodating up to 4,999 hogs, in addition to 600 feeder cattle. This development is planned near the Niobrara River, about 2.7 miles away. The final decision from DWEE will follow the review of public comments, which concluded on Friday.
A Local Resident Leads an Information Drive
Sunny Elliott, a science teacher and Cherry County resident, has taken the initiative to inform her community by creating a website that tracks the permit process. Elliott’s goal is to clarify the environmental implications and the decision-making process for local residents.
“I just kind of found that a lot of people surrounding this really didn’t understand the basics of the science behind this. And so I just wanted to create the website,” Elliott said. “First I started with the Facebook page, then it grew into a website, and I wanted to try to just simplify that so that people could easily understand this process.”
The website, Protect Cherry County, aggregates verified facts and public questions, providing a tool for residents to draft personalized comments to DWEE. Elliott’s initial purpose for the site was personal organization of her research.
Elliott also initiated a digital petition on July 29, quickly amassing 300 signatures. The petition serves to document resident requests for DWEE to deny the permit or conduct a public hearing.
Challenges in Permit Application Data
Marissa Mann, an agronomist from the Valentine area, has raised concerns about the figures in TK Angus’s permit application. Mann, who holds a degree in agronomy and soil science from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, conducted an independent review after local contacts expressed doubts about the application’s completeness.
“They have seemingly deflated the amount of manure and nitrogen produced, but inflated the amount of acres that they’re going to apply to,” Mann said.
Her analysis suggests a shortage of 137 to 312 acres for responsible manure application, based on differing assumptions. Mann discovered discrepancies in land base figures within the application.
Additionally, Mann noted that TK Angus’s 600 feeder cattle are absent from nutrient calculations, which could affect the land needed for manure utilization.
“Six-hundred head of feeder cattle were not included in their fertility plans,” Mann wrote, emphasizing the need for ethical and responsible practices in a sensitive environment.
Background of the Permit Dispute
As reported by the Nebraska Examiner, Cherry County’s initial refusal of a conditional use permit for TK Angus in 2023 led to legal action. A district judge later mandated permit approval, citing insufficient evidence of potential harm.
Elliott stresses the distinction between local zoning issues and current environmental concerns under DWEE review. She advocates for a public hearing in Valentine to address these environmental matters thoroughly.
Tim Marlatt, from TK Angus, told the Nebraska Examiner that worries about odor and leaks are unwarranted, given the design to manage manure effectively.
DWEE has yet to decide on a public hearing request or finalize the permit decision. The department’s notice indicates an “intent to approve,” pending further review.
