Correction issued on poultry oversight

TIFFIN — A response submitted by Seneca County Commissioner Bill Frankart to an Advertiser-Tribune candidate Q&A published this week contained an error regarding oversight of Seneca Poultry LLC, prompting a correction and clarification from the Seneca Conservation District.In the Q&A, published Monday, Frankart stated that Seneca Poultry LLC "is locally monitored by the Seneca County Soil and Water Conservation District." That information is incorrect, according to Seneca Conservation District Administrator Morgan Metzger."Seneca Conservation District was directed by the Ohio Department of Agriculture from the beginning of Seneca Poultry LLC that anything with the facility is handled by ODA's Division of Livestock Environmental Permitting," Metzger said.All oversight, monitoring and related matters for Seneca Poultry LLC are handled exclusively by the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Division of Livestock Environmental Permitting, Metzger said. The Seneca County Soil and Water Conservation District has no role in monitoring the facility.According to ODA's website, DLEP "is charged with regulating the construction and operation of Ohio's largest livestock and poultry facilities using science-based guidelines that protect the environment while allowing the facility to be productive." DLEP rules regulate how Ohio's largest livestock and poultry farms manage manure, wastewater, and nutrients, as well as control flies, rodents and other pests.The distinction matters because of the facility's size. The Seneca County Soil and Water Conservation District does have authority over manure application at farming and animal feeding operations, but only those not permitted through ODA's Division of Livestock Environmental Permitting or the Ohio EPA. Seneca Poultry LLC's size places it under state jurisdiction.Frankart responded to the Advertiser-Tribune's request for comment, acknowledging ODA as the final oversight authority while arguing that local Soil and Water Conservation Districts still play a role through complaint investigation agreements with ODA."Although ODA is the final oversight authority, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts still have authority to implement rules," Frankart said, citing language from the ODA website stating that SWCDs have authority to investigate complaints, identify violations and require corrective actions under agreements with ODA.Frankart also acknowledged that his understanding of the oversight structure had evolved since submitting his Q&A answer."This is the first permitted livestock facility in Seneca County, so we are all learning the process," Frankart said. "As I have dug deeper into this issue and spoken with ODA staff, I have learned that the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts can be the first point of contact for the public." Frankart said he is working to connect Seneca Conservation District staff with ODA staff to better serve residents.Metzger was unambiguous in her clarification; the Seneca Conservation District was directed by ODA from the beginning of the facility's operation that anything involving Seneca Poultry LLC is handled exclusively by DLEP.The Advertiser-Tribune has updated Frankart's answer in the original Q&A on the newspaper's website to reflect the correct oversight agency.Residents with concerns about Seneca Poultry LLC should contact ODA's Division of Livestock Environmental Permitting at 614-387-0470 or 800-282-1955, or by email at lepp@agri.ohio.gov. After 5 p.m., callers are encouraged to ask for the DLEP Department. The Seneca Conservation District can be reached at 419-447-7073 or at www.conservesenecacounty.com.