E. Coli Levels Alarming on Big Spirit Lake Beach

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the water concentration of E. Coli on Crandall’s Beach on Big Spirit Lake has surpassed the capabilities of DNR test kits. The beach registered more than 24,000 viable bacteria. This is 10 times what is considered unhealthy. Rapid bacteria growth may  be due to recent summer temps or … Read more

IGLA Board Response to Okoboji Organics Raising Hogs Near Center Lake

Iowa Great Lakes Association approves resolution to protect watershed Local board votes to reaffirm effort to preserve lakes area Spirit Lake, Iowa – Oct. 31, 2017 – Recently, the Iowa Great Lakes Association (IGLA) voted on a resolution reaffirming the original 2008 agreement opposing any concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO), specifically hog confinements, inside a … Read more

Iowa Select Withdraws Hog Lot Permit

(Des Moines)– Iowa Select, the largest corporate hog operation in Iowa and the 8th largest natioanlly announced today (Tues.) it’s withdrawing permit applications for two proposed confinement operations in Wayne and Clay counties.

The proposed operation in Clay county was to be located near Spencer. Opponents gathered signatures on a petition. The board of supervisors recommended denial of the site. The action was overturned by the Department of Natural Resources. The Clay County Board of Supervisors was set to vote on appealing the DNR’s approval at their meeting today (Tues.)
It wasn’t immediately clear as to why Iowa Select withdrew the permit applications.

New Fashion Pork withdraws permit app. for Superior Township Confinement

Explore Okoboji – Tue 1-20-2015 (Spencer)– We have word this (Tues.) afternoon New Fashion Pork has apparently withdrawn its application to build a 4,400 head hog operation on the Iowa/Minnesota border in Superior Township, in the far northeastern corner of Dickinson county. Assistant County Attorney Lonnie Saunders tells KUOO news he was notified by a … Read more

Supervisors draft letter to DNR

This morning the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors authorized the sending of the attached letter to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Environmental Protection Division at Spencer. The letter was hand carried to Spencer this afternoon. Click to read – Guge Farm Letter Signed

Dickinson Supervisors Vote To Reject Matrix Scoring Of Proposed Hog Operation

Story courtesy of Explore Okoboji The Dickinson county board of supervisors voted unanimously today (Tues.) to object to the scoring of the Master Matrix for a 4,400 head hog operation New Fashion Pork wants to locate in Superior Township in northeastern Dickinson county. The vote followed a public hearing that on for more than two … Read more

Supervisors draft letter opposing livestock expansion near Milford

The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to send a certified letter to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that will call on the state agency to reconsider and deny the application for a hog building construction project near Horseshoe Bend Park.

Supervisors Hold Workshop To Draft Hog Lot Letter

Story courtesy Explore Okoboji Wed 9-17-2014 (Spirit Lake)– The Dickinson county board of supervisors meet this (Wed.) morning for a workshop on writing a letter to the Department of Natural Resources regarding a proposed manure management plan for a proposed 2,400 head confined feeding operation near Horseshoe Bend southwest of Milford. It comes on the heels … Read more