Dover board approves expansion of Conserv’s ammonia storage

By Jason Arndt

Correspondent

Conserv FS was issued a conditional use permit to expand its anhydrous ammonia storage after multiple rounds of questioning by the Town of Dover Planning Commission April 10.

The approval comes less than three months after neighboring townships were evacuated due to a possible anhydrous ammonia leak during the eight-alarm blaze at the Echo Lake Foods plant in Burlington.

Board Chairman Thomas Lembcke continued to reiterate the severity of the chemical during the Public Hearing and Planning Commission meeting to Conserv FS officials.

“I have worked with anhydrous ammonia and it is a dangerous chemical,” Lembcke said. “This is a very serious matter and I hope you guys understand that.”

Dave Mottet, General Manager of Conserv FS, stated the company’s mission to maintain positive relationships with members of the community.

“I think we are good neighbors, we try to be good neighbors to the people here in Kansasville,” Mottet said. “We strive to be as safe as we can.”

The conditional use permit will increase the quantity from one 18,000-gallon tank to an additional two 30,000-gallon tanks on its Beaumont property.

Anhydrous Ammonia is a non-flammable substance but can pose health risks to individuals with upper respiratory ailments.

The liquid-based chemical when under pressure can be an irritant to the skin, eyes, nose and mouth when inhaled – according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Conserv FS’ Central Service Manager Tom Koenecke continually assured Board Members and Planning Commission officials during the meeting by indicating its recent track record with the EPA.

“We recently went through an EPA audit on March 27 to specifically look at our anhydrous operation regarding safety,” Koenecke said. “They looked at our emergency operation plan for an entire day and we passed the audit with flying colors.”

Lembcke questioned Koenecke on the capability of Conserv FS employees on the handling of the chemical.

“Our employees go to training classes annually for proper handling of anhydrous and in the past we have involved the fire department here in the event there ever was a problem and we are planning on do it again this year,” Koenecke said.

Conserv FS plans to utilize the additional storage to minimize nighttime noise and traffic involving the transport of the chemical. Both Koenecke and Mottet stated the present storage volume is not sufficient to meet the needs of farmers utilizing the chemical.

“The challenge here at Kansasville is we have an 18,000 gallon tank which is a very small tank,” Mottet stated. “And for the volume we have, we have a high amount of semis coming through here on a daily basis for our anhydrous ammonia.”

The company has been part of the Kansasville community for nearly a century and targets completion of the two storage tanks prior to winter. Long-term plans include utilizing the 18,000 gallons as storage of LP Gas.

Town Supervisor Mike Shenkenberg conveyed concern over the proximity of all tanks and needed assurance it will not become a hazard.

“We are working through this one step at a time,” Koenecke said. “The next step is to gather input from the Department of Agriculture with an on-site inspection prior to construction.”

Subsequently, the corporation plans to involve the Kansasville Fire Department and local law enforcement agencies in updating emergency plans.

“What is the radius of evacuation in event of a leak,” asked Town Supervisor No. 2 Scott Willkomm.

According to Conserv FS Facility Management Plan, the radius is one mile from the plant and Koenecke does not expect a substantial increase to the affected radius with the new storage tanks.

In addition, Conserv FS indicated the storage increase will ease the burden of neighbors listening to delivery trucks through the late night hours.

“Our goal is put in a larger storage tank so we won’t have so much traffic day in and day out. It will be easier for us to manage so we won’t have to work so many hours and make it a safer environment for everybody,” Mottet said.

Koenecke remains confident in the company’s ability to minimize any potential of an evacuation emergency due to strict inspection guidelines by government agencies.

“There is always risk in everything but the redundancy is built into the system.” Koenecke said. “The oversight we are subjected to with this product mitigates that possibility down to virtually nothing.”