Seneca Poultry issued permit to operate

TIFFIN — The Ohio Department of Agriculture has issued a final permit for Seneca Poultry LLC to construct and operate a large-scale egg-laying facility at 1539 W. CR 90, just south of Tiffin. The operation is expected to house up to 130,000 hens and produce nearly 1,900 tons of poultry manure annually. Local residents living near the facility have expressed concerns about the potential impact on their wells, air quality and nearby wildlife, including a bald eagle nest. Residents from other parts of Seneca County have raised additional questions about nutrient runoff into the Sandusky River and the broader Lake Erie watershed. Rachel Hemminger, spokesperson for advocacy group Stop Seneca Poultry, shared "Our main concern has always been the site itself, located directly next to the river and landfill. This facility and all of the manure application fields are in the already compromised Sandusky River Watershed and the Lake Erie Watershed." Stop Seneca Poultry has also criticized what it describes as underestimation of manure and mortality numbers in the draft permit. Hemminger said, "When some of these figures were questioned, corrections were made, but it makes you wonder what else might have been misrepresented." The group has collected more than 1,100 petition signatures and is considering an appeal of the permit decision. "Each rural community in Ohio has its own unique landscape and needs. Local control over these types of factory farms is critical," Hemminger said. Seneca Poultry owner John Bolte has said the facility will be managed to minimize environmental impact, including soil and manure testing to ensure proper nutrient application. Bolte has also noted that manure will replace commercial fertilizer for crops, and that he has worked to engage neighbors through outreach efforts. Despite these assurances, Hemminger said the group and local residents remain concerned about the facility's potential effects on the surrounding environment and water sources.