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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Residents packed the Buffalo, ND Community Center to testify at a North Dakota Health Department hearing regarding a proposed $15 million hog farm. People living near the proposed site of the project are opposed due to potential soil and air pollution problems.

Buffalo Mayor Antoinette Babcock says someone has been working “behind the scenes” to move the project along without the city’s knowledge. Babcock is demanding to know who in state government is behind the “secret” talks.

Sean Simpson, Vice-President of Pipestone Holdings, the company that wants to build the hog farm, admitted there could be odor issues, but Simpson said odor and pollution concerns have been exaggerated.

The public comment period ends Saturday. The ND Health Department expects to issue a decision on the permit application within 30-90 days.