Permit Pulled For Chicken Facility Near Mineola

Opponents of a broiler chicken operation proposed for a 60-acre site on the Mills County - Pottawattamie County line near Mineola have reason to celebrate.

The application to build the facility has been withdrawn by Mike Clifton, a Council Bluffs man who wanted to construct the operation  near 253rd and Applewood.

“We have a letter from the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) indicating that Mike did send a letter in to pull the permit,” Mineola resident Molly George said. “He’s in the process of looking for another location.”

George was at the forefront of a grassroots effort to stop the facility from being built approximately one mile northwest of Mineola and about a mile from the popular Wabash Trace Nature Trail. Clifton intended to raise around 200,000 broiler chickens every eight weeks on the property, sparking concerns about the impact the operation would have on air quality, water and property values in and around the Mineola area.

Clifton pulled his application with the DNR after a private meeting with George, Pottawattamie County officials, real estate developers and the property’s current owner, Cory Leick.

George said the meeting, which took place in Council Bluffs on Feb. 14 was cordial and “just opened the line of communication.”

“We are ecstatic. I could not be more proud of the community, the two counties that were involved and all the people that helped pull this through,” George said. “It was grassroots. You’re up against the state and the DNR. They were going to approve this. We have no doubt that if this went to the EPC (Environmental Protection Commission) that it would pass. It was an absolute total team effort from every single side involved.”

George said a community potluck is being planned for Saturday night at the Mineola Community Center to celebrate Clifton’s decision to build the broiler operation at a different site.

The Opinion-Tribune

116 S Walnut St Glenwood, IA 51534-1665
P.O. Box 377, Red Oak, IA 51566
Phone: 712-527-3191
Phone: 712-623-2566
Fax: 712-527-3193

Comment Here