Poultry manure processing plant in the works near Sutter

Plans are in the works to turn 20 acres of nearly barren fields west of Sutter into a poultry manure composting facility.

The first business of its kind in Sutter County, a Glenn County company plans take chicken litter or chicken compost from Foster Farms and other Central Valley operations, then mix it with agricultural minerals, heat it and sell the finished product to farmers for soil amendment or fertilizer.

The Sutter County Planning Commission voted 4-0 on Wednesday to approve the project, with commissioners voicing their support for an agriculture-related business.

"They gave their support that it's an ag-related business, a good fit for that area — and there's a real need, too," said Steve Geiger, principal planner.

The property in the 1600 and 1700 blocks of Southridge Boulevard has gone relatively unused for several years, although the warehouse was once utilized for rice storage. A few use permits for the site have come and gone, but it is anticipated that this applicant, Jack Spence Inc. of Orland, will move forward quickly.

No one from Jack Spence Inc. returned calls for comment.

The project would store about 25,000 tons of chicken manure and 25,000 tons of gypsum and agricultural lime. Storage and composting of the chicken litter will occur inside the warehouse so potential odor impacts should be minimal, according to staff analysis.

No one from the public expressed concerns about the project. The nearest neighbors are a cotton gin, oat and rice fields, and gravel mining.

Some conditions will have to be met before operations can begin, including the installation of an ammonia-monitoring device to prevent any impacts to employees or the area.

The business will supposedly employ up to 20 people, although it will mostly have four people per shift.

CONTACT Ashley Gebb at agebb@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4783. Find her on Facebook at /ADagebb or on Twitter at @ADagebb.