by Theodore Wiesehan

    Central Bio-Energy's plan for an ethanol plant east of Tamora hit its first hurdle as the Upper Big Blue Natural Resource District (UBBNRD) sent back the company's water use application with a request for additional information.
     While UBBNRD Director John Turnbull said the district harbors concerns over water availability near Tamora, he said such a request is not out of the ordinary.
     "We've had...three studies submitted for other ethanol plants and we've sent all three back for more work," Turnbull said. "The other three did the extra work and resubmitted those studies and the board has approved them."
     Any entity planning to use more than 500 acre feet of water per year on a tract of land is required to undertake a detailed groundwater study to obtain a supplemental usage permit from UBBNRD.
     To put that amount in perspective, Turnbull said that an average center pivot irrigator on a quarter section of land uses approximately 130 acre feet per year.
     "The purpose of the study is to look at the local conditions around such a proposed site and to look at the impact of long-term pumping on the local aquifer," Turnbull said. "How does it affect other wells - domestic, irrigation and municipal. We look at each on a case-by-case basis."
     While Turnbull said similar applications from ethanol proposals near Fairmont, Aurora and Sutton were approved after applicants submitted additional information, he is wary of the water supply near Tamora.
     "The area east of Tamora is not a real good site for significant water use," Turnbull said. "We have a thin aquifer. It does not produce a lot of water and people need to be aware of those things and plan around them."
     Central Bio-Energy is continuing to move forward with the study, Turnbull said. Consulting engineers from the Central Bio-Energy have been in contact with UBBNRD to ensure the resubmitted application will be complete.
     "The company's been very cooperative, so I think things are moving along OK," Turnbull said. "We're not trying to discourage economic development. We'd like them to be successful and not get themselves into something they can't handle."
     Central Bio-Energy officials declined to comment.