Editorial

Counties keep local control while still 'livestock friendly'

Monday, March 7, 2005

Through resolutions passed this year, two counties in Southwest Nebraska have become the first in the state to designate themselves as "livestock friendly." The counties are Frontier, which passed its resolution Jan. 6, and Hayes, which approved its resolution Feb. 8.

However, it is important to note, neither of these "livestock friendly" resolutions is tied to the state rules contained in Legislative Bill 754, the livestock friendly bill passed in 2003.

The difference? "Frontier and Hayes County decided to pass livestock friendly resolutions, as allowed in LB 754, but we decided to follow county zoning rules, rather than follow the state plan," said Gerald Huntwork, who serves as zoning administrator for both counties. "We are livestock friendly, very definitely," Huntwork said. "But we want to keep control close to home."

Both Frontier and Hayes have county-wide zoning ordinances in place. Frontier passed its zoning plan in December of 1999, and Hayes County followed in September of 2000. Now, another nearby county, Perkins, is giving serious consideration to passing a livestock friendly designation using county zoning as the criteria, rather than the state regulations contained in LB 754.

Four other counties in the state -- Hitchcock, Adams, Dawson and York -- are considering the state livestock friendly plan. In fact, in Hitchcock County, the county zoning board has recommended that county commissioners adopt the LB 754 version of livestock friendly.

Those in favor of that approach say it would give livestock operations a clear idea, up front, what the rules are for hog, cattle and dairy developments. Huntwork believes the county zoning approach can do the same thing. "It's just important that the livestock developers ask first, before they commit to land purchases. There are an abundant number of locations that will work, but planning is needed to avoid problems later."

Frontier and Hayes have taken leadership positions, being the first in the state to declare themselves as livestock friendly with county zoning as the guide. As leaders, it will be interesting to see if their approach does encourage livestock development; thereby inspiring similar action by other counties.

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