Opponents of a proposed large-scale hog farm in McDonough County can breathe a sigh of relief - at least for now.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture declined to issue a permit to South Morgan Acres, LLC, which would be built in the northwest part of the county. The state said it required more information about the farm.
In a letter sent to the owners on February 3, the Agriculture Department said:
“Our additional information request is as follows:
*Please submit a Non-Lagoon Livestock Waste Handling Facility Application along with associated construction plans and design specifications.
*Please submit a Non-Lagoon Livestock Waste Handling Facility Certification of Site Investigation Form along with the results of a site investigation conducted in accordance with 8 Illinois Administrative Code 900.504.
*Pursuant to 8 Illinois Administrative Code 900.303 (c) (3), please provide copies of the certified mail receipts associated with the notice of intent to construct mailings.
Please be advised, the Department will be unable to make a final determination concerning the status of your proposal until all applicable items required by the (Livestock Facilities Management) Act have been submitted for Department review.”
South Morgan would have 8,000 pigs of 55 pounds or heavier and 10,000 that are smaller.
The McDonough County Board voted December 21 in favor of a non-binding resolution of support for the project. The vote to recommend was 10-to-7, with two members abstaining and two members absent.
This is the second time the Illinois Agriculture Department declined to issue a permit for a proposed large-scale hog farm in McDonough County. In September the department asked for more information regarding Shamrock Acres, which is proposed for the southwest part of the county.
In that case, the state said it needed more details about odor control, run-off control, and transportation routes to-and-from the farm.
