LINGLE – Following the Sept. 19 public meeting of the Goshen County Commissioners, feedlot owner Robert Lewis and property owner Ron Stuckert agreed to separate interviews.
According to Stuckert, who purchased his property from Lewis, the problem started when he was assured the 999-head limit on the “next-door” dairy heifer feedlot would not be increased. And no one over the intervening years has stepped up to stop the perceived violations.
“The decision was very disappointing,” Stuckart said Wednesday afternoon during a telephone interview. “Nobody wants to be responsible
for anything.”
According to Stuckert, Lewis continued to expand his operation. Stuckert said he contacted the DEQ several times, but the expansion continued.
In desperation, Sukart said he contacted Wyoming legislators and state officials, but only the Attorney General’s office and the Secretary of State responded to his letter, both indicating they could not help. However, the AG suggested Stuckert hire an attorney.
“But I couldn’t afford one,” Stuckert said. “It just seems to fall on
deaf ears.
“I guess we’ve reached the end of what we can do.”
Stuckert said he and his wife, Janice, came to Goshen County after retiring. They sold their Nebraska ranch, and while looking for a small acreage in the Nebraska/Colorado/Wyoming region, the Lingle property caught their eye, and was available.
As for moving from their current home, Stuckert said he is afraid that is impossible.
“The damage is done,” he said of the publicity the situation has attracted. “No one would be interested. We might take an option just to get away.”
Regarding the legal maze he has been fighting all these years, Stuckert said, “It’s beyond sad. It’s pathetic.”
Robert Lewis bought the Lingle property in 2001 to establish a replacement dairy heifer operation. His early business was exempt from many of the confined animal feeding regulations as long as the number of head remained at 999 or less.
As his operation expanded, Lewis was charged with making management adjustments to meet the new regulations. He said the past three years have been focused on meeting those requirements.
“It’s been quite a long process, but the regulations were written to protect both the livestock operator and the county residents in the area.
“It’s taken extra time, but I’ve resolved to meeting those regulations as required,” he said, adding, “And I plan to abide by those regulations.”
Citing the requirements for containing water runoff, Lewis said a certified engineer has inspected his set up, and DEQ oversees it to make sure it’s in compliance. He has also complied with setback requirements for the livestock pens that have to be a specific distance from property lines.
“To meet those regulations, one-quarter mile from an occupied dwelling, I modified the configuration of the pens,” Lewis said during the telephone interview.
Lewis explained that since he rents out pen space, the day to day operations are the responsibility of that operator.
He added, “If you don’t use best management practices, the cattle don’t perform, so it has to be run using good feed and clean pens.”
He continued that although some people don’t like the expansion, the operation contributes a lot to the local economy. Feed is purchased from local growers, health care is local, and transportation contributes to the benefit list. In addition, the manure is spread on area fields, improving the soil, and thus the return from crops.
“It’s a way to keep the dollars circulating locally,” Lewis explained.
“I know a lot of people are disappointed, but we have to move forward. With responsible management, we can protect all parties
concerned.
“I have made a considerable investment to meet all of the regulations, so I have “skin in the game,” too. And I appreciate all of the work of the planning commission and county commissioners to go through the process.”
