Ree Heights area rancher Dean Lockner testified against House Bill 1140 in committee last week. The measure would streamline the process for county zoning board’s to approve conditional use permits for livestock expansion projects. He says the main problem with the legislation is that it takes away local control.
Lockner says the measure also makes it more difficult for private citizens to challenge decisions of the county boards.
Lockner says if the Legislature gives final approval to this measure it will lead to more commercial agriculture coming to South Dakota.
Lockner, Dakota Rural Action, and the South Dakota Farmers Union all spoke against HB 1140 while South Dakota Farm Bureau, Pork Producers and Cattlemen’s Association are in favor of it.