Environmental group appeals MPCA approval of Riverview expansion near Morris

The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy has appealed the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s decision to issue Riverview LLP a permit for an expansion of its West River Dairy near Morris, Minnesota. That expansion, the largest proposed dairy operation in state history, would be able to grow from 7,855 to 18,855 cows. The group says the appeal is due to a lack of a plan to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. The appeal was filed in the Minnesota Court of Appeals on Tuesday, July 22, and centers on the feedlot permit that MPCA issued June 23 after an extended comment period and open house. ADVERTISEMENT “MPCA cannot issue a permit for a massive industrial feedlot that fails to address greenhouse gas emissions. Minnesota law requires Riverview to explain the methods and practices it will deploy to minimize greenhouse gas emissions from its unprecedented operation,” said Jay Eidsness, supervising attorney at the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, in a news release from the organization. “If Minnesota is serious about meeting its climate goals and being part of the solution to slow the growing climate crisis, we cannot continue to give giant industrial agriculture operations like Riverview a free pass on their climate pollution.” Within the petition, the advocacy organization explains that Riverview, in its submitted air emission plan, fails to address greenhouse gas emissions. “As a result, no strategies to limit greenhouse gas emissions are included as enforceable terms of the Permit,” according to the petitioners’ statement. Riverview responded to the appeal, saying that it has moved the project forward responsibly. “From the beginning, Riverview has been committed to developing the West River Dairy expansion responsibly,” Riverview partner Brady Janzen said in response. “Our goal is to always be good neighbors, which includes protecting the environment and supporting the rural communities where we live and work. “Following an extensive environmental review, detailed technical analysis and consideration of public comments, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency concluded that the project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects,” he continued. “The agency then issued a feedlot permit for the project after determining it met the requirements of Minnesota law. “We’re confident in the state’s thorough review and remain focused on responsibly moving the West River Dairy expansion forward.” ADVERTISEMENT The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy seeks to determine with the appeal whether the permit fails to identify methods to minimize greenhouse gas; whether the Minnsota Pollution Control Agency acted arbitrarily or capriciously by issuing a permit; or whether the air emission plan fails to comply with Minnesota rules. The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy further singles out Minnesota’s agricultural sector, calling it the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the state, trailing only transportation. The appeal seeks to make reductions to those emissions in order to protect the environment, natural resources and the health of people. If the appeal is successful, the environmental organization believes the state would have to begin requiring greenhouse gas minimization plans in feedlot permitting, “which will mandate large feedlots to develop strategies to minimize their greenhouse gas emissions,” the news release added.