MN:Appeals Court to decide Dodge County hog farm lawsuit pitting pollution vs. water

A bitter three-year community fight over a hog feedlot in Dodge County has landed before three state Court of Appeals judges who are now being asked to decide a question that environmentalists see as critical to the future of clean water in Minnesota. What obligation do county governments in rural areas have to protect their citizens from the impact of a growing livestock industry? “There is absolutely no effort on the county’s part to address serious public health concerns or the serious environmental concerns relating to these factory farms,” said Sonja Trom Eayrs, who grew up in Dodge County and has been leading the fight against the feedlot. Paul Reuvers, attorney for Dodge County, said the county has gone above and beyond what it is required to do according to local and state rules. “We are an agricultural county, and if you live in an agricultural district you might have to deal with the odor, noise and dust associated with agricultural uses,” he said.