Caledonia Argus

Health affects of tire burning facility questioned

Posted: 10/21/03

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

The possible health affects of a proposed tire burning facility in Preston have been questioned by the Fillmore-Houston Joint Board of Health.

The Joint Board of Health has requested the commissioner of the MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) require an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) be conducted on the proposed Heartland tire burning facility in Preston, Minnesota.

Houston County commissioners were made aware of the request at its Tuesday, October 14 meeting.

Houston County Commissioners Larry Graf and Kevin Kelleher are on the joint board of health and approved the resolution for a request.

The issue of possible pollution from the proposed plant was presented to the Fillmore Houston Joint Board of Health meeting on Tuesday, October 7 by a group called the Concerned Citizens of Southern Minnesota.

The group is currently suing the MPCA for not conducting an EIS before it approved the facility. MPCA maintains that an EIS did not have to be done, said Sharon Serfling of the Fillmore County Health Department and agent of the Joint Board of Health.

Commissioner Graf believes an EIS should have been conducted on the tire burning facility. ìI donít feel the MPCA has really looked at this thing completely. I donít feel a lot of questions have been answered,î He said.

He noted that an EIS is sometimes conducted before new feedlots are approved. Graf feels the concerned citizens group is justified in their concern. ìAn EIS should be done when it could affect our health. Health is what we are concerned about,î he explained.

County to purchase new graders

The Houston County Highway Department will purchase two new John Deer graders at $133,000 each next month to replace its two Case graders.

The Case graders will be returned to St. Josephís Inc. in La Crosse and the county will be reimbursed $123,000 for each one. The Houston County Highway department will continue discussions with Case and St. Josephs Company for receiving part of the $15,000 for each grader for time used.

Discussion on Money Creek Township

In the course of approving variances in Money Creek township, Commissioner Larry Graf suggested the township conduct a comprehensive land development study of the area. He said youíll have ìhelter skelterî development if you donít.

Money Creek township is the fastest growing township in Houston County, noted commissioner Dave Corcoran.

Commissioner Kelleher added that he thought local residents felt uncomfortable with where the development was going.

It was suggested by commissioner Corcoran that the township may have enough people to incorporate into a town.

Graf said, ìThey need to take a look at the future costs of sewer and water. The way they develop affects the costs.î

Board approves CCSA plan

The board approved the CCSA (Children and Community Services Act) plan, which outlines goals for the human services department for the next year. It also explains how the MFIP(Minnesota Investment Program) and social services programming is progressing in the county. For example, Houston County has a higher work participation rate for those on MFIP at 46.6 percent than the state targeted 40 percent rate.

The state requires the county to submit the plan to fulfill requirements for the MFIP and CCSA grants which totals $502,438 and reflects a 27 percent cut from the state due to the deficit.

The county will receive an additional 5 percent more after it meets performance criteria set by the state.

The CCSA plan was available for public review and comment from September 12 through October 12. However, no one from the public reviewed the 13 page document.

Health insurance rates to increase

Preliminary numbers for Houston County employer and employee health insurance contributions for 2004 is projected to increase by 24 percent. The county is still working with Blue Cross/Blue Shield on investigating possible changes that might lower that cost. Final numbers are still not available for health insurance costs for next year.

Commissioners discuss need for a bigger jail

Commissioner Ann Thompson commented that there were quite a few people being imprisoned in jails outside of the county because the Houston County jail was full.

ìBe prepared for a higher than average jail cost,î she said.

Several years ago the county was told that it would need a new jail in 10 years and Thompson noted that they have four more years before that time period expires.

Commissioner Graf said they will need to make a decision next year for resolving its jail needs.

The county has taken several steps investigating options for a new jail.

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