Livestock friendly?

Dear Editor,

I would like to set the record straight on some items that were printed in the article on "shortcut to livestock" friendly in Tuesday's Gazette.

I believe I am familiar with the Livestock Friendly Program in Nebraska, as I have attended meetings and have worked with the program as chairman of the Hitchcock County Planning Commission for nearly two years. Hitchcock County has recently been designated "Livestock Friendly" by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

It was stated that Red Willow County would have to change its setbacks to comply with the state regulations to be designated Nebraska Livestock Friendly, which is not true. It was further stated that a public hearing would not be required for a livestock operation to come to Red Willow County, which is also false. The Nebraska Livestock Friendly designation changes nothing in the zoning regulations. A public hearing is still required for any conditional use permit.

It was also stated that the state would take control of the county zoning, which is false. The county gives up absolutely no control.

The Nebraska Livestock Friendly designation is a valuable marketing tool for economic development in our counties and does not affect the zoning regulations in any way.

Sincerely,

Roland Miller

Culbertson