By Robert Williams

Editor

The Becker County proposed Toad Mountain project was discussed at the latest board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 6, with no decisions or resolutions made on the project.

The discussion came one day after a special meeting of the Toad Lake Township, which produced a nearly unanimous, but unofficial vote against the project. The Township board is also officially on the record of being against the project.

Environmental Services Administrator Steve Skoog presented a flier that is being distributed about the project and a schedule of information and input meetings for those interested to attend.

The firm that may complete the master plan of the project submitted a site plan for discussion and the county is sending out surveys to local residents, along with making the survey available online at the county website.

Commissioner Erica Jepson, who represents the Toad Lake area in District 1 and participated in the special Township meeting Monday reported her findings.

“I would say almost all (30) were opposed to it,” she said.

Jepson discussed the group’s concerns about property taxes, along with the safety of the swimming beach, the mountain being uneven and unstable, and others. She also related one of the ideas that gained some consensus at the township level.

“The conclusion of what they would like to see with the mountain is for it to be returned to its natural state and really become a nature preserve,” Jepson said.

Jepson also reported the township board was against the project.

Skoog stated he wants to hear input from the entire county and not just Toad Lake Township, while admitting the township concerns also need to be addressed.

Trails

Laurentian Lakes Chapter President Robert Becklund presented the North Country Trail Association Friend of the Trail award to Mitch Lundeen, Supervisor of the Becker County Natural Resources Management Department in Detroit Lakes.

“Mr. Lundeen has been an indispensable and unwavering supporter of the Laurentian Lakes Chapter of the North Country Trail Association,” Beckland said. “He serves as our primary advocate in Becker County’s budgetary process and has continually supported our annual requests for funding.”

The Laurentian Lakes Chapter maintains the trail on a volunteer-only basis.

Beckland noted without Lundeen’s assistance, that would be difficult and his dedicated support has kept the chapter from struggling.

CAFOs

During the open forum, Izaak Walton League member and Research Organizer Erika Gilsdorf and Chief Science Advisor Willis Mattson presented a report  to the board on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).

The Izaak Walton League compiled information and contacted Chairman John Okeson to submit information to consultants to compile a national report on CAFOs.

CAFOs are not the typical family farm, but an industrial-sized feedlot, according to Willis.

The duo requested to be on the agenda of a future meeting or have a special meeting to go over the report with the board of commissioners.

Mattson cited the damage to watersheds around the country when CAFOs move in, citing such larger bodies of water as Chesapeake Bay, Green Bay, Lake Erie as examples. CAFOs Import a large amount of feed and distribute manure across a broader area, according to Mattson.

Commissioner Barry Nelson stated his concerns were more on the effects on neighbors, not so much as an ag-runoff as an environmental problem. He cited the value of the natural manure.

“I don’t think it’s over-applied because it costs too much; I think the new ones that come in manage that very well,” he said. “I think in the past, we’ve certainly had concerns and if you don’t work it in right away then the runoff has more concerns.”

Feedlot

A public hearing request for the Minnesota Public Control Agency was granted regarding a modification to the existing feedlot permit at William Tilton Farm in Waubun.

No animal units are being added. The farm owners are adding on to the facility. A public hearing was had with no comment from the public. The permit modification was approved unanimously.

Short term rentals

An annual fee of $400 was approved for short term rentals in the county. Short term rentals are less than 30 days. The annual permit will go live in September, according to Becker County Planning and Zoning Administrator Kyle Vareberg.

The former fee was $50. Short term rental registration information is available on the county website under the Planning and Zoning department.

Highway

County Highway Engineer Jim Olson submitted an expenditure request for a 2025 Volvo Tandem Plow Truck that was approved unanimously. The purchase cost $334,736 that includes the sale of 2013 Tandem Snowplow with 214,092 miles and 8.267 hours for approximately $35,000.

The department is currently on a scheduled program to replace one tandem plow truck per year, which allows for a 12-year replacement schedule. Updating annually causes less downtime of equipment and a continuous, timely and effective snow and ice control plan, despite the deteriorating conditions and chemicals that damage the vehicles (rust) during use.