News Release No. 452

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ISSUES PERMITS TO MOARK 7 FARMS' IN NEWTON, JASPER AND MCDONALD COUNTIES

Volume 33-452

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, NOV. 1, 2005 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has issued a construction permit to MOARK 7 Farms and operating permits to MOARK 7 Farms, MOARK Top Notch Farm and MOARK Anderson Farm in Newton, Jasper and McDonald counties.

The construction permit allows MOARK to construct 13 poultry buildings, three manure storage buildings and an egg processing building. The department has placed additional conditions in the construction permit limiting MOARK to building the poultry buildings in phases to ensure each phase complies with federal and state laws, rules and regulations before the next phase begins. As the phases are complete, the buildings will be included in the MOARK 7 Farms' operating permit.

"We value public comments when evaluating a permit application. However, the department primarily seeks technical data regarding the environmental impacts from a proposed facility. As a science-based agency, we must rely on facts to make our decisions," said Doyle Childers, director of the Department of Natural Resources. "The department believes these facilities can be operated in compliance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Therefore, the department is bound by state law to issue the permit."

The department previously issued a construction permit to MOARK 7 Farms in Newton County (Permit MO-0122840) on May 12, 2005 to construct three poultry buildings, a manure storage building and an egg processing building. The department has modified that permit to include additional conditions.

The construction permit reissued today will authorize MOARK to build the remaining 10 buildings. MOARK may construct five poultry buildings, which includes the three poultry buildings permitted in May, after committing to construct an air research station. The department and MOARK will use the information from the research station to evaluate odor levels and emissions and possibly modify MOARK's odor control plan. The department may authorize the construction of the next four poultry buildings in the second phase upon MOARK completing six months of air monitoring work that demonstrates compliance with odor standards. The department may authorize the final four poultry buildings in the third phase after MOARK successfully completes phases one and two.

The new buildings will use an advanced design feature to reduce ammonia levels. This design feature blows atmospheric air over the bird litter, drying the product as it is made. The reduced moisture level of the waste aids in reducing ammonia and other odorous emissions. The department will hold the new buildings to the same strategies and controls approved for its existing operations.

Following Sections 643.075.6 and 621.250.3, MOARK, or any parties adversely affected by this decision, may appeal to have the matter heard by the Administrative Hearing Commission within 30 days of the approval. Appeals may be sent to the Administration Hearing Commission, P.O. Box 1557, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or by fax to 573-751-5018.

For more information, contact the department's Water Protection Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-1300. For a copy of the operating permits, visit the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/permits/wpcpermits-issued.htm.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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