Forsman Farms proposes expansion to Wright County egg-laying facility

For release: July 11, 2013

Contact: Alexis Donath, 651-757-2312

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Forsman Farms proposes expansion to Wright County egg-laying facility

St. Paul, Minn. -- Forsman Farms has proposed an expansion to its existing egg-laying facility in Wright County. As part of its responsibility to conduct environmental review of projects such as this, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for the proposed project. The EAW is a review of how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. The public is invited to comment on the EAW through Aug. 7.

Forsman Farms is located southeast of Cokato. The farm has proposed constructing two new chicken confinement buildings, remodeling six barns, adding two wells, and constructing other associated infrastructure. The changes will allow the farm to add 661,000 laying hens, resulting in a total capacity of 1,536,000 chickens.
 
Part of the purpose of the EAW is to help the MPCA determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), a more in-depth environmental review, is needed. The EAW must be completed before the MPCA can issue final permits for the project. 
 
Comments on the EAW must be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 6, 2013, to Charles Peterson, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., Saint Paul MN 55155 or by email to charles.peterson@state.mn.us. 
 
To request a copy of the draft EAW or to inquire about the environmental review process, call Peterson at 651-757-2856. The documents are also posted online at the MPCA’s EAW and EIS webpage (http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oxpg691).
 
Broadcast version:
 
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is inviting public comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet for an expansion at Forsman Farms’ egg-laying facility southeast of Cokato in Wright County. 
 
Forsman Farms has proposed constructing two new chicken confinement buildings, remodeling six barns, adding two wells, and constructing other associated infrastructure. If the changes are implemented, the farm’s capacity would increase by about six hundred sixty thousand laying hens.

Comments on the proposed expansion to Forsman Farms' egg-laying facility in Wright County are being accepted through August 7.

For more information, visit the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency website.

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