County rescinds runoff permit
Pollution from a feedlot operation will no longer be allowed to run through a county ditch.
Marion County Commission was informed Monday by county Sanitarian Bobbi Strait that she had received a complaint about possible contamination of ground water.
Mary Marshall of rural Lincolnville told Strait that runoff from a feedlot owned by neighbor Marty Kroupa was possibly contaminating her ground water. A recent water test indicated high nitrates, Strait said.
It was understood that Kroupa had received permission from the county road and bridge superintendent to allow runoff from a section to flow in a ditch on its way to a lagoon.
Marshall's house is 80 feet west of the ditch.
Strait recommended the commission revoke the permission given to Kroupa and require him to drain the runoff in another direction.
She added that the county could be held liable for contamination.
Later in the meeting, Strait returned with a letter to Kroupa, asking him to change the drainage. The commission approved the letter which will be hand-delivered by Strait.
Strait reported she was concerned because a water well in the area was not sufficient to dilute the runoff. She will continue to investigate.
