Northeast Iowa Feedlot Faces New Controversy

The neighbors of a controversial feedlot in Northeast Iowa are speaking up as the feedlot seeks a permit renewal.

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Supreme Beef LLC in Monona is looking to renew its water permit that allows the facility to use 21.9 million of water a year from the Jordan aquifer in Clayton County. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources held a meeting Monday where, according to Iowa Public Radio, residents urged the Department to not grant approval.

Tammy Thompson was among the residents that spoke up against the permit. In the IPR article, she says the permit doesn’t take into account other water sources, such as her nearby private well.

This permit should not be renewed as is because by doing so it would result in an unreasonable use for only the applicants’ personal gain while negatively impacting residents of the nearby communities of Monona and Farmersburg,” Thompson said. “As well as nearby domestic well and cattle farming users.”

The water need of the facility is based on the number of cattle at the facility. According to the Gazette, when the Department of Natural Resources approved the 21.9-million-gallon permit, the permit was for 10,000 cattle, not 11,600 cattle.

Opponents of the permit say the permit underestimates the amount of water needed for 11,600 cattle.

This could have a negative impact on the area says resident Larry Stone in the IPR article.

I contend that the use of the Jordan water by Supreme Beef for 11,600 cattle will result in pollution that impacts the public's quality of life and Iowa’s land air and water resources. That will violate Iowa code.”

The Department of Natural Resources is expected to make a decision about the permit next month.