County will look at bylaw changes to better align how feeding operations are built

Cypress County is considering amending its Land Use Bylaw to bring in a new, more restrictive designation for confined feeding operation start-ups in the county. The point was brought up for discussion at Tuesday’s public meeting by Coun. Dustin Vossler.

Vossler said he was motivated to introduce the discussion after hearing of another confined feeding operation being proposed near Seven Persons.

“I was looking for your guys’ opinion of whether or not we should have a different agricultural district for confined feeding operations, kind of the same way we do now with greenhouses. I just figure it would give us a little bit more control where they are placed ... I do not like the idea of building these in (more heavily) populated areas,” he said.

While it is true the Natural Resources Conservation Board has final say on whether such operations can be built, and where, it does rely on local municipal guidelines on to help recommend a course of action. Vossler felt the county should consider a broader exclusion zone within it than currently exists.

While in broad agreement with Vossler, Coun. LeRay Pahl urged caution in making such changes.

“I am not disagreeing with what Dustin is saying but we need as much as we can get in this area, be it livestock, sheep or pigs. We need industry in this part of the world, and I would hate to push them away.”

“I by no means want to push them away,” responded Vossler, “but I would want them placed appropriately. It seems to me those wanting to build them (in the county) do not want to place them appropriately.”

Coun. Dan Hamilton then moved that county staff have a look at the county’s Land Use Bylaw and come up with some options on how such confined feeding operation could be designated, and what options there might be in terms of potential exclusion zones, before the next public meeting. Council passed Hamilton’s motion unanimously.