Concerns raised over feed lot expansion near Picture Butte

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

A Picture Butte resident is raising concerns about a feed lot expansion just outside the town limits, that will see the number of cattle almost double.

Picture Butte resident Roelof Scholten said he was informed about the expansion by a letter last fall, which all Picture Butte residents received from the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) regarding the expansion. The letter informed residents about the expansion and stated if they had any objections, to write a letter to the NRCB.

The expansion is located within three miles of Picture Butte and Scholten said he believes that the expansion has already been completed.

“I just can’t understand how in the world they can go from 9,000 to 18,000 (animals) without having a proper permit,” said Scholten. “I phoned in about that and there was no permit.”

Scholten said he’s talked with some people in town and they too have written to the NRCB objecting to the expansion.

“Since it’s that close to Picture Butte and from 9,000 to 18,000 it’s going to affect Picture Butte and not only Picture Butte, but the (nearby) church, the mobile home park over there is much closer than I am. I can’t see how in the world this can be allowed,” he said. “Besides, how can you build a feedlot expansion without a permit?”

The Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) says it is seeing a “concerning trend” involving the significant increase in unauthorized construction at confined feeding operations.

In a release from the NRCB that was published in Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation’s publication, Agri-News: This Week in Agriculture in the Jan. 12 edition, The organization noted those concerns and reminded feeding operations that, under Alberta’s Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA), it is illegal to begin construction of a confined feeding operation, manure storage facility or a manure collection area without first obtaining the required NRCB permits.

“The NRCB is seeing a concerning trend – unauthorized construction at confined feeding operations has increased significantly,” read the release. “Complaints have increased by approximately 32 per cent from 2024 and enforcement actions have jumped by about 125 per cent.”

The release also noted “constructing before your permit application has been approved or building something different than stated in your permit are both also considered unauthorized construction.”

It said constructing without a permit is a serious offence and pointed out several consequences, including but not limited to, enforcement orders, prosecution

and additional costs, such as depopulating livestock from unpermitted facilities.

Scholten inquired to the town about his concerns, and was told the expansion is not within the Town of Picture Butte’s jurisdiction.

“There’s something really wrong here. If a permit was given, fine then that’s that,” said Scholten. “But when you can build an expansion of 9,000 and double the feedlot without a permit and nobody’s doing anything about it. This has got to be followed-up.

“If a feedlot is way out in the country, that’s one thing, but when it’s too close to Picture Butte, the mobile home park, the church and the Prairie Tractor (Museum),” he added. “Somebody better step up and say who’s in control – is it the NRCB or is the feedlot.”

At the Dec. 8, 2025 Town of Picture Butte regular council meeting, CAO Keith Davis presented councillors with a Request for Decision (RFD) regarding Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) Application LA25010.

The RFD stated the application was presented to Council at the Nov. 24, regular council meeting, where councillors made and passed the motion to communicate to the NRCB that the Town did not oppose the proposed expansion.

It also stated that the application is to expand a confined feeding operation outside of the confined feeding operations expansion exclusion zone, identified in the Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) between the Town and Lethbridge County.

“As per Section 5.1.8 we have agreed to allow existing confined feeding operations to continue to operate under acceptable operating practices and within the requirements of the Agricultural Operation Practices Act and Regulations which is administered by the NRCB,” stated Davis in the RFD.

In a letter to the Town, from the NRCB dated Nov. 23, NRCB approval officer Kailee Davis noted that the application had been reviewed by the NRCB and was determined to be complete on Nov. 25, 2025. The letter pointed out that the

application is to increase animal numbers from 9,500 to 18,000 beef finishers, expand an existing catch basin, and to permit the previously constructed north row feedlot pens.

“The Town of Picture Butte is located within the three miles notification distance of this application and is considered to be a directly affected party,” said Kailee Davis in the letter. “As a directly affected party, you are entitled to provide evidence and written submissions relevant to the application.”

She asked the Town to provide them with their written comments, including any concerns, by Dec. 23, 2025 and in those written comments asked the Town to address specific items relating to land use planning including whether there are any Intermunicipal Development Plan(s) that may apply to the application and what is the (land) zoning of lands within three miles of the proposed site, under the Town’s Land Use Bylaw.

In a follow-up email to the Sunny South News in January, the NRCB confirmed the organization is responsible for regulating confined feeding operations (CFOs) under the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) and that it has not yet issued any decision on the Picture Butte feedlot expansion (known as application LA25010).

“The NRCB approval officer is currently reviewing the application and responses received and is conducting an environmental risk screening and technical review of the application for consistency with AOPA,” said Janet Harvey, Senior Communications Specialist with the Natural Resources Conservation Board.

Harvey also noted the municipality in which an operation is proposed to be located, is notified at several steps of the process.

“In addition, the NRCB cannot issue permits unless the application meets all AOPA requirements, including consistency with the land use provisions of the local Municipal Development Plan (MDP) or Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP),” she added.

Harvey explained that the NRCB issued the release in January about the increase in unauthorized construction at confined feeding operations to help communicate to operators and applicants about the importance of this issue.

“To help address increasing unauthorized construction we are working with industry groups such as Alberta Chicken Producers, Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association, to ask for their assistance in getting the message out to their members to call the NRCB before they build,” she said. “The NRCB also has initiated a couple of new proactive compliance programs that are increasing the number of CFO inspections being completed. Contributing factors to the increase in unauthorized construction likely include market growth and demand and increases in quota for dairy and egg operations. Some operators may also be impatient or may not realize that they need a permit under AOPA.”

Harvey explained written responses that raise issues that fall under AOPA, will be addressed by the approval officer in their decision.

“When the NRCB approval officer releases their decision to either approve or deny the application, the applicant, municipality, referral agencies (e.g., Alberta Health Services, Environment and Protected Areas, and Alberta Transportation), right of way owners, and any party who submitted a response to the application will be provided a copy of the application decision documents,” said Harvey.

The decision documents will also be posted on the NRCB website at http://www.nrcb.ca under Confined Feeding Operation Recent Decisions.

Harvey also noted the role municipalities play in the permitting process.

“Municipalities are a key part of the NRCB AOPA permitting process as they are responsible for land use planning in their county or municipal district through their MDPs and IDPs,” said Harvey. “A clearly laid out and up-to-date MDP or IDP should include areas where CFOs are and are not allowed. The NRCB cannot issue permits unless the application meets all AOPA requirements, including consistency with the land use provisions of the local MDP or IDP,” she added.

An approval officer will consider the response from residents as part of their review of the application if certain criteria are met, noted Harvey, pointing out that once a decision is issued, anyone found to be a directly affected party may request a review of the decision by the Board of the NRCB. This functions as an appeal mechanism.

The construction completion date on the NRCB application form for the Picture Butte feedlot expansion was listed as December 2025. Harvey noted there is no current enforcement action for unauthorized construction or any other issue against this operation.

“The operator is following the correct process by applying for a permit under AOPA,” said Harvey, adding the approval officer will ultimately determine the completion date.

Anyone can submit a complaint to the NRCB if they think an operation is being constructed or is operating without a permit. Complaints can be submitted online at http://www.nrcb.ca/file-complaint or by calling the NRCB 24-hour reporting line at 1-866-383-6722. An NRCB inspector will follow up on the complaint and will usually conduct a site inspection.