Public hearing Nov. 29 over Monona energy facility

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing Nov. 29 in Elkader over a stormwater construction permit for a proposed 10,000-head cattle feedlot and biogas operation near Monona.

The energy facility by Walz Energy was supposed to be the topic of a public meeting Oct. 11 in Elkader, but the DNR canceled that meeting in favor of a public hearing in November, said Bill Ehm, DNR head of environmental services.

The agency received eight public hearing requests, seven from individuals and one from the Iowa Environmental Council, Ehm said.

The Clayton County Register reported residents near Monona are concerned about how the facility, now under construction, would affect the Bloody Run Creek, a popular trout fishing stream. The site is being build on karst terrain, which is porous and allows pollutants to seep into groundwater.

The hearing will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Nov. 29, in the County Office Building at 600 Gunder Rd. in Elkader.

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