New Hutterite colony near Gimli seeks approval for 140,000-bird chicken farm

A file image of chickens near Waukon, Iowa. (Charlie Neibergall, File/AP Photo)

A Hutterite colony in the Interlake area is seeking provincial approval to build a 140,000-bird chicken farm, part of a larger development that has raised some concerns from community members.

The plan is being brought forward by the Harbour Colony, a new Hutterite colony being developed on Husavik Road in the RM of Armstrong about 10 kilometres southwest of Gimli, Man.

“We’re in the building phase right now. It’s not standalone yet,” said Victor Kleinsasser, secretary of the Crystal Springs Colony in Ste. Agathe.

Kleinsasser confirmed Harbour is a daughter colony of Crystal Springs, noting it will likely take another five to 10 years before it is complete.

Part of that overall project is a large-scale chicken farm, with 40,000 laying birds and 40,000 pullet birds in a free-run system, plus another 60,000 broilers in a barn. The plan proposes taking the dry manure from the farm and spreading it across several fields in the RMs of Armstrong and Gimli.

“This is an old practice. It’s been going on for literally thousands of years,” said Kleinsasser. “People put out their manure, and you just want to make sure it’s plowed in.”

Chicken farm plan raises water worries

However, the plan has raised some concerns from area residents.

“What impact is that going to have on locals, in terms of water quantity and water quality?” said Rob Tkach, who owns property adjacent to the colony development.

Tkach, a retired water resources and environmental engineer and regulator, noted the fields where the manure would be spread are in low-lying areas prone to flooding.

“So, obviously, that’s a concern that these nutrients are going to wash into the creeks and ultimately Lake Winnipeg,” he said.

Kleinsasser said the chance of runoff is small, saying a thin layer of manure is spread across multiple fields and then plowed into the soil.

CTV News reached out to the RM of Gimli for comment but has not received a response.

Crystal Springs had previously applied to build a wastewater lagoon in the area for the new development of 250 people as well as an abattoir – an animal slaughterhouse. Kleinsasser confirmed this proposed lagoon will be a part of the Harbour Colony development.

Read more: Proposed wastewater lagoon surfaces fears for Lake Winnipeg

This project also drew concerns from the community, prompting it to be sent to the Clean Environment Commission.

Kleinsasser said a hearing is set in March.

Tkach said overall he is concerned with the approval process for the entire colony development project, which he said is being done in a “piecemeal fashion.”

“We’re being shown parts of the project on an individual basis, as opposed to looking at the thing as a whole,” he said, adding he worries this is not giving an adequate understanding of the overall environmental impact.

Kleinsasser, meanwhile, said the colony is trying to follow the proper process for approvals.

“We’re not trying to take shortcuts and go around the permitting processes and stuff. We’re trying to do it right,” he said. “We’re not trying to pollute anything.”

As for the chicken farm, Tkach said he will be submitting his comments to the provincial government.

According to notices published in area newspapers, those wanting to share their views have until Monday. Submissions can be made by email or letter with the TRC 12-120.

The Livestock Technical Review Committee will then review the submissions while considering the application.

More details about the project can be found online.