DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Development Natural Fertilizer Products, Inc.: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact AGENCY: Rural Development - Rural Business Service, USDA ACTION: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact SUMMARY: The USDA, Rural Development - Rural Business Service (RBS) has made a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)with respect to a request for possible financial assistance to Natural Fertilizer Products, Inc. for construction of the Western Iowa Nutrient Recycling Center in Harrison County, Iowa. FURTHER INFORMATION: To obtain copies of the EA or FONSI, or for further information, contact: Kacy Elkins, Business and Cooperative Program Specialist, USDA RD, 2493 4TH Avenue W, Suite B, Dickinson, ND 58601, (701) 495-7699, and kacy.elkins@usda.gov. The EA and FONSI are also available for public review at the RD office located at Le Mars Rural Development office located at 1100 12th St. SW, Suite C, Le Mars, IA 51031. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed project consists of construction of the Western Iowa Nutrient Recycling Center, in Harrison County, Iowa, in Rural Woodbine. The project includes the acquisition of approximately 35 acres of land and construction/installation the following: a 50'x100' commodities building, three 80'x180' indoor compost buildings, a 250'x200'x10' contact water pond, a 60'x80' shop building, a 15'x80' truck scale, a 25'x40'x8' concrete liquid pit, 3.75 acres of compacted clay compost pads, 4.5 acres of gravel driveways, a 120'x180' concrete mixing pad, a 30'x300' concrete driveway, a well, and fencing/gates for the property. This facility is designed to recycle organic waste, primarily food processing waste, livestock mortality and livestock manure, into high-quality compost. The compost produced will serve as a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers, improving soil health while significantly reducing methane emissions from landfills. This project supports regional waste management goals and enhances local agricultural productivity, providing farmers with a renewable source of fertilizer while minimizing environmental impact. This project is one of two large-scale composting facilities that Natural Fertilizer Products, Inc. has proposed. Alternatives considered by RBS and Natural Fertilizer Products, Inc. include No Action and Action alternatives. The alternatives are discussed in the Natural Fertilizer Products, Inc. Western Iowa Nutrient Recycling Center in Harrison County, Iowa EA. The RBS has reviewed and approved the EA for the proposed project. The availability of the EA for public review was announced via notice in the following newspaper: Harrison County – Times Reporter on June 11, 2025, and June 18, 2025. A 14-day comment period was announced in the newspaper notices. The EA was also available for public review at the USDA Rural Development office and website as well as Natural Fertilizer Products, Inc. office. No comments were received relative to the proposed development. Based on its EA, commitments made by Natural Fertilizer Products, Inc., and lack of public comments received, RBS has concluded that the project would have no significant impact (or no impacts) to water quality, wetlands, floodplains, land use, aesthetics, transportation, or human health and safety. The proposed project will have no adverse effects on resources listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The Agency has also concluded that the proposed project is not likely to affect federally listed threatened and endangered species or designated critical habitat thereof. No other potential significant impacts resulting from the proposed project have been identified. Therefore, RBS has determined that this FONSI fulfills its obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations (40 CFR §§ 1500-1508), and USDA Rural Development’s Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR Part 1970) for its action related to the project. RBS is satisfied that the environmental impacts of the proposed project have been adequately addressed. RBS’s federal action would not result in significant impacts to the quality of the human environment, and as such it will not prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for its action related to the proposed project. Dated: 6/30/2025 HCTR 7-9-25
