A proposed Hutterite colony and intensive livestock operation near Stenen, Sask., is drawing concern from nearby residents.
The Hutterian Brethren Church of Crystal Lake has applied under the provincial Agricultural Operations Act for approval to establish a poultry and dairy operation just south of the village.
The proposed location is also near the resort community of Crystal Lake, about 25 kilometres north of Canora.
Andy Jansen, manager of agricultural operations with the province, said the intensive livestock application is for a poultry operation of 1,980 animal units, including broilers, layers, turkey and geese, plus a small dairy unit of 20 animal units for the colony’s own use.
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According to provincial regulations, 200 broiler chickens equal one animal unit. For layers, the conversion is 100 birds per unit, while 50 turkeys or geese equal one animal unit. The number of birds in the operation at any one time depends on the production cycle of each species.
“The application needs to detail their plans for waste storage and waste management essentially, so largely manure management, and then dead animal management,” Jansen said. “Part of that application needs to detail the site conditions that they’re operating at.”
Residents in and around the Rural Municipality of Keys say they are concerned about the risk to water quality, odour from manure and dead birds, and how the RM is handling required bylaw changes.
The proposed site sits atop the Stenen Aquifer and near the Fulton Lake Aquifer, which supplies Canora and Canora Rural Pipeline users.
Jansen said the risk to water is part of the evaluation procedure.
The Water Security Agency in January approved a water use licence, which means there is adequate supply for the operation.
The proponents’ proposal says the manure from the poultry operation will be stored in a roofed building and spread on a three-year rotation.
“The manure will be managed in a dry state and spread on land on a semi-annual basis,” said the proposal as quoted in a March letter from the RM to nearby residents.
According to a website set up by the concerned citizens in April, 138 residents submitted a petition to the RM council asking that landowners be allowed to vote on proposed bylaw changes in a referendum. Another 88 people who live outside the RM but have an interest in the development also submitted concerns to council.
The documents suggest the council was too quick to give first and second readings to the bylaw change. In the latter case, the council held a public meeting and gave the bylaw second-reading approval within hours. The submission suggested this was “hurried” and didn’t take into consideration legitimate questions and concerns.
The main bylaw change is to allow collective dwellings on a quarter-section.
The intensive livestock operation is a discretionary use application.
Zoning changes require ministerial approval before they can be implemented.
The application is available for public review and comment before June 4 at the Saskatchewan Agriculture office in Yorkton or from the proponent, George Hofer from Norquay.
Jansen said a decision should be made in late June.
