KDHE public hearings for feedlots are Tuesday
Only chance for public to be heard
Area residents are encouraged to attend two public hearings Tuesday evening at Peabody-Burns Elementary School multi-purpose room. The hearings, scheduled for 5 and 7 p.m., will be sponsored by Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
The hearings are the only chance the public will have to address KDHE about the proposed expansion of two feedlots closer than two miles to the southwest boundary of the city. The feedlots are owned by Clarence Busenitz and his son Jeff Busenitz and are in adjoining sections. Each currently feeds more than 500 head of cattle and is asking to expand to 999 head.
KDHE granted public hearings after more than 100 people in Peabody and the surrounding area sent letters to the bureau of water in Topeka requesting a chance to address the issues.
Each feedlot expansion will have its own hearing. Anyone in favor of allowing the expansion or opposed to it may address the hearing officer. If a citizen is opposed to both expansions, he or she will need to address the hearing officer at each hearing.
According to Claudia Elkins, KDHE bureau of water and livestock waste management staff member, the hearing for Clarence Busenitz (Doyle Creek Farm) will begin at 5 p.m. and the hearing for Jeff Busenitz (Old Trail Farm) will begin at 7 p.m.
Elkins said the hearing officer will be Michael Jones. Jones is district environmental administrator for KDHE south central district office in Wichita.
People attending the hearing will be asked to sign in and indicate whether or not they wish to address Jones publicly. Statements may either be made at the hearing or be presented to Jones in writing.
KDHE public relations officer Sharon Wattson noted that people would be wise to have their statements written out in case a time limit is placed on each presentation.
"Presenting a statement in both written and spoken form will just assure them that the hearing officer has their entire statement in case they are cut off before they finish," she said.
All comments will be recorded by KDHE staff and later transcribed for the hearing officer. There will be no decision on the expansion for at least 30 days or longer following the public hearing according to Rick Brunetti, environmental administrator for this district.
Anyone may attend either or both hearings. It is not necessary to speak or turn in written comments.
