By Sheila Harris sheilaharrisaads.com

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will host an in-person, public hearing in Barry County regarding proposed permits by the department for the land-application of industrial meat, poultry and other food-processing waste and human biosolids in Barry and McDonald Counties.

The news came via email to the Cassville Democrat from Heather Peters, Chief of the Water Pollution Control Branch of the DNR.

The department will also host a meeting virtually for those who are unable to attend in person.

Peters said arrangements for the meetings are still being made, but dates, times and locations will be announced as soon as they are firmed up.

The public meeting will address concerns that area residents have about pending land-application permits for waste-haulers Synagro Central and HydroAg Environmental, who propose to land-apply meat and poultry-processing waste (from unnamed sources) and human biosolids to a combined total of almost 10,000 acres in Barry County and several hundred acres in McDonald County.

A public comment period for the proposed permits closed on April 21, but will be extended in conjunction with the public hearing, Peters says.