The Pierce County Board of County Commissioners revisited past discussions on the county’s participation with a Livestock and Development Grant at its meeting on Tuesday, after hearing concerns about the potential development of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).

Briselda Hernandez and Erin Parker with Souris Basin Planning Council joined the meeting to discuss the board’s concern that the county would lose local control if it signed on with the grant.

Hernandez, SBPC executive director, clarified the intent of the grant, which she said was to develop plans for potential locations to determine their viability and infrastructure needs.

Todd Kays, a consultant from South Dakota, joined the meeting by phone, and said the study is focused on Bottineau and McHenry counties and was in the works for Pierce County.

Kays said the state created minimum setbacks years ago, and each participating country should assess their current policies.

Hernandez said each county can decide themselves which route they want to pursue, whether it is taking on bigger projects or giving existing farmers the latitude to expand. Hernandez reinforced that the decision was solely the county’s to make, and SBPC was simply providing information to help them determine the direction they wanted to go.

Kays said the study with accompanying maps would be released soon, which will show locations and zoning regulations for sites with adequate infrastructure access. Hernandez said she would follow up when the final report is completed.

Pierce County State’s Attorney Galen Mack joined the meeting and said Souris Basin was instrumental with crafting the zoning ordinance in the 1980s. Mack said he felt the study would be helpful concerning CAFOs and viable locations.

The board also discussed the future of the county’s Community Service Program, which Mack said was still a continued benefit for the community. Mack said District Court Judge Michael Hurly still orders community service, despite some declines due to decriminalization of certain offenses.

A teleconference was held with the McHenry County Board of Commissioners on the issue. Commissioner Terry Hoffert relayed Mack’s and Hurly’s support for the program and said Pierce County would like to continue it if McHenry was willing to share in the costs.

The McHenry County Board asked where the program is utilized in McHenry County, and Community Service Coordinator Frank LaRoque said it was used at Velva School, Velva Golf Course, the McHenry County Courthouse and Towner Public Works.

The McHenry County Board said it would revisit the discussion after reviewing the numbers.

Pierce County Sheriff Josh Siegler also gave a report to the board, sharing that his department responded to 34 calls in February. Siegler said the new deputy will begin academy training on June 2.

Commissioner David Bednarz asked Siegler if newly hired Drug Task Force Coordinator Brock Baker could provide quarterly updates to the board, and Siegler said he would request that. Siegler reported a couple of arrests already have been made in the area related to fentanyl and meth.

Kelsey Siegler, Pierce County Emergency manager, suggested the board issue a burn ban due to abnormally dry conditions compounded by high winds. Sieger said the ban would be tied to the fire index rating, which would ban all burning if rating high in fire danger.

The board issued a Fire Emergency Declaration and Burn Restrictions to include the restriction to recreational burning, open burning of leaves, grass clippings, garbage and pits, construction debris, fallen trees, crop residue or hay land, sloughs and bonfires. Other restrictions apply to the use of fire to demolish structures when the N.D. Fire Danger index is in the high, very high, extreme range or if a “Red Flag Warning” has been issued for Pierce County.

The restrictions do not ban the use of grills or commercially sold enclosed fire pits as long as they are on a hard non-organic surface located a minimum of 15 feet away from dry vegetation when the Fire Danger Index is high, very high or extreme.

The use of fireworks is prohibited when the first index rating is high, very high or extreme or a “Red Flag Warning” has been issued. Any controlled burn occurring in Pierce County must be reported to law enforcement.

The burn restrictions do not apply to the incorporated cities of Balta, Rugby or Wolford, but are in effect for the rest of Pierce County.