Sussex P&Z backs Mountaire spray-irrigation expansion
A plan to add more than 350 acres to the existing 920 acres used by Mountaire Farms of Delaware for spray irrigation and sludge disposal near Millsboro has gained support from Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission.
At its Oct. 24 meeting, commissioners voted 4-1 to recommend approval of a conditional-use application filed by the poultry company. The land is located near existing spray-irrigation fields on both sides of Mount Joy Road and Townsend Road.
Making the motion for approval, Commissioner Kim Hoey Stevenson said the company does not plan to increase production at the plant on Route 24, and the increased acreage would allow for better load and nutrient management. She said concerns expressed by area residents about impact on groundwater would be addressed by regulations in place, which are monitored by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
She said Mountaire must submit monthly environmental reports to DNREC, and state environmental officials can conduct unannounced visits to inspect the site. “No ponding or runoff is allowed,” she said.
Hoey Stevenson said the company plans to transport sludge to the site for application using two to three trucks per day, which would have minimal impact on traffic in the area. The sludge operation is also monitored by DNREC, she said.
“This is consistent with agricultural uses on nearby properties used for spray irrigation,” she said.
Under the Mountaire plan, wastewater would be pumped to the new location via underground pipes from a yet-to-be-built $50 million wastewater treatment plant. The sludge that is currently hauled away would be applied to the new fields.
Under a 2017 DNREC permit, the plant is permitted to dispose of 2.6 million gallons of wastewater a day.
Mountaire currently sprays wastewater on 13 farm fields near the plant.
Hoey Stevenson said before submission of a final site plan, Mountaire must supply all current permits and show that all necessary approvals and permits have been received from DNREC to apply sludge and wastewater irrigation on the property.
In addition, the company can only dispose of treated waste from the Millsboro plant on the site and the conditional use is valid only when DNREC permits have been issued. “If the permits expire, the conditional use expires,” Hoey Stevenson said. “Failure to abide to these conditions shall result in termination of the conditional use.”
Commissioners Hoey Stevenson, Bruce Mears, Keller Hopkins and Chairman Bob Wheatley voted in favor of the application, while Commissioner Holly Wingate voted against it.
The final site plan will be subject to review and approval by the planning and zoning commission.
Sussex County Council will have a public hearing on the application at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the county administration building, 2 The Circle, Georgetown.
