New ILO for Devils Lake watershed!

[Oscar]

July 24, 2007 via facsimile

Mr. Wayne Dybvig, Co-Chair
International Red River Board
c/o Environment Canada, Prairie & Northern Region
Room 300, 2365 Albert Street
Park Plaza, Regina SK S4P 4K1

Mr. Michael J. Ryan, Co-Chair
International Red River Board
c/o Bureau of Reclamation, Great Plains Region
PO Box 36900
Billings, Montana 59107

Mr. Karl Rockeman
North Dakota Department of Health
Division of Water Quality
918 East Divide Avenue, 4th Floor
Bismark, North Dakota 58501-1947

Dear Sirs:

It has come to our attention that a decision for approval is pending in regard to Dakota County Swine Nursery, an 18,000 per year nursery pig operation, located within the Devils Lake watershed in Towner County, North Dakota.

It is also our understanding that an outlet has been built on Devils Lake and is currently in operation, thus changing the status of the Devils Lake watershed to one that is no longer “closed” or “isolated”, by connecting the watershed through a pipeline/canal to the Sheyenne River, which eventually flows into the Red River.

Recent analysis by Manitoba Water Stewardship, indicate that 32% of the annual phosphorus loading to Lake Winnipeg (1994 to 2001) was attributable to the Red River located in the United States. Watershed processes within the Red River basin is the largest contributor of phosphorus to Lake Winnipeg and phosphorus has been identified by Canadian researchers at the Freshwater Institute - University of Manitoba, as the nutrient causing eutrophic conditions on Lake Winnipeg.

In response to this challenge, the Manitoba government announced a nutrient reduction strategy which consists of reducing loadings to Lake Winnipeg to pre 1970 levels. Other actions within the strategy included the introduction of a phosphorus regulation, placing a moratorium on new or expanded hog operations utilizing the liquid slurry system and agreeing with other mandated agencies within the basin, to a 10% reduction of nutrients crossing the US/Canada border.

This 10% reduction goal was achieved through the Aquatic Ecosystem Committee of the International Red River Board of the International Joint Commission.

We seek clarification on the applicability of the 10% reduction agreement to this proposed concentrated livestock operation. We have been informed by concerned residents in the area that the proposal is situated in close proximity to the Mauvais and Calio Coulees, which flow into Devils Lake. We ask that the state regulator deny this approval and place a moratorium on all similar types of development until the 10% reduction plan has been implemented and that there has been a 10% reduction of nutrients crossing the border. We ask that all appropriate regulatory and enforcement agencies within the Red River basin take the necessary steps to achieve this objective so as to prevent a possible trans-boundary dispute in the future.

Sincerely,



Glen Koroluk
Community Organizer
Beyond Factory Farming Coalition


cc:

Honourable John Baird, Minister of Environment, Canada
Honourable Christine Melnick, Minister of Water Stewardship, Manitoba Eco-Network
Mr. Lance Yohe, Executive Director, Red River Basin Commission

[Oscar]

July 19, 2007

Karl H. Rockeman, Env. Engineer
North Dakota Department of Health
Division of Water Quality
918 East Divide Avenue, 4th Floor
Bismarck ND 58501-1947

krockema@nd.gov

(701) 328-5225

Dear Mr. Rockeman:

I understand that the application for approval for a mega hog operation (for 18,000 nursery pigs) in Coolin Township, Towner County, North Dakota has been submitted. And that this is the second mega hog operation to be located precariously close to the Mauvais and Calio Coulees which flow into the Devils Lake Basin. Additionally, a third operation has been in operation for years which is located just a few miles north of the proposed nursery; again, near tributaries that feed into the Mauvais and Calio Coulees.

I also understand that the ND State Department of Health held public hearings on June 14th and July 9th in Cando, North Dakota, and at the July 9th hearing, residents learned that the 2 feet of proposed clay liner in the lagoons is adequate for only 4 years to protect the water table. This must obviously be unnerving to residents not only in Towner County, but also to neighbouring counties which will certainly be affected in the future.

And, now that the outlet drainage is in operation and the pumps have been turned on, it would follow that residents of Manitoba would have growing concerns about the potential for increased contamination of the Red River waterway as well. Lake Winnipeg, the recipient of all of this unacceptable source of contamination, is already distressed with high concentrations of E.coli or toxic blue-green algae due to septic fields at cottages and agriculture. As I’m sure you are aware, this is currently the subject of ongoing discussions and dispute, with the potential to continue as an international issue.

In light of these obvious indications against proceeding with this project, I would request that the North Dakota Department of Health listen to the landowners whose health and well-being will continue to be put at risk by these additional threats to their water, and, using common sense, will deny the approval of this application for a second operation in this area.

Yours truly,

Elaine Hughes
Box 23
Archerwill, SK S0E 0B0
CANADA

cc:

Hon.Gary Doer, Premier of Manitoba premier@leg.gov.mb.ca
Hon. Vic Toews, MP, Provenche Constituency Toews.V@parl.gc.ca
Hon. John Baird, Minister of Environment, Canada Baird.J@parl.gc.ca
Wayne Dybvig, Exec. Dir. Transboundary Waters Unit, Wayne.Dybvig@ec.gc.ca
Dennis Fewless, Director of Water Quality dfewless@state.nd.us
Terry O'Clair, Director of Air Quality toclair@state.nd.us
Scott Radig, Director of Waste Management sradig@nd.gov
Ron Rauschenberger, Governor Chief of Staff rrausche@nd.gov
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem ndag@nd.gov
Agriculture Commissioner, Roger Johnson ndda@nd.gov
Towner County, Auditor Kent Haugen kmhaugen@nd.gov
Coolin Township Chairman, Roger Copeland jcrosmal@gondtc.com

[Oscar]

From: Rockeman, Karl H.
To: Elaine Hughes
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 7:59 AM
Subject: RE: Letter - ND Hogs - July 19, 2007

Thank you for your concerns.

Karl H. Rockeman, Env. Engineer
(701) 328-5225
North Dakota Department of Health
Division of Water Quality
918 East Divide Avenue, 4th Floor
Bismarck ND 58501-1947