Dairy Battle in Southeastern South Dakota Might Be Over

ALEXANDRIA, S.D. (AP) - A proposed large dairy operation in southeastern South Dakota has withdrawn its request for a state water permit.

The decision by Hanson County Dairy comes about a month after a state judge ordered the county to cancel a zoning permit it had issued five years ago because of a lack of progress on the project.

A citizen group that opposes the 7,000-head dairy fought the project on both the county and state levels. Spokesman Stace Nelson says he is "ecstatic that the people of Hanson County have some closure."

Eric Gronlund with the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources says the dairy can reapply for a permit if it chooses.