Lake Township expansion for Smithfield‑contract site cleared by county staff, matrix scores above threshold

The board considered a non‑construction expansion permit for an existing confinement in Lake Township (section 22) filed for Larry Olsen under a Smithfield Growers production change.

Kent Krauss of Pinnacle said the revised manure management plan would produce roughly 1.49 million gallons annually under a wean‑to‑finish operation and that the master matrix scored 480 points, above the 440 threshold. He described site features that supported points — separation distances to residences and water sources, truck turnaround areas, injection application and prior compliance history — and noted that staff performed a site visit and found no red flags.

Supervisors asked technical questions about previous and new production volumes and how the conversion from feeder‑finish to wean‑to‑finish changed gallons produced annually; Krauss explained the production‑type change lowers gallons even though throughput timing changes. County staff verified that closest nonowner residence measured 1,985 feet from the site and that the nearest public water and commercial enterprise distances supported the matrix points listed.

After discussion about DNR’s role in expansion permitting (DNR typically treats these as non‑construction expansions), the board closed the public hearing for the Lake Township/Larry Olsen site and directed routine follow‑up; staff indicated they would keep the county and DNR processes coordinated. No formal permit adoption was recorded on the transcript during the meeting.