Long Lost CAFO Update
While I survived April 15th, I still remain rather busy. Let’s go over some new CAFO items, just to keep pace:
In Randolph Fayette County, local correspondents are reporting that one of the proposed CAFO’s had its local permit denied by county officials due to water and road use concerns. But have no fear, I’m sure the proponent will try again. Also in In Randolph, 2 new CAFO’s submitted applications to IDEM last week - more on those operations when I find it.
In Marshall County, a neighbor to a new 8,000 head pig CAFO is not giving up the fight, despite the fact that the Marshall County Plan Commission denied his appeal of the issuance of a building permit to Laidig Farmland, LLC. His attorney, Stephen Snyder, says they will appeal the plan commission’s decision at the trial court level:
[Jon] Rettinger, who lives with his family in the 6300 block of East 14th Road, objected to the operation, and had his attorney appeal to the plan commission. Snyder introduced several documents into evidence from various educational and governmental and/or industry related groups outlining Rettinger’s objections.Each side interprets the zoning ordinance differently, with Rettinger claiming that certain restrictions apply in all zoning districts. The plan commission agreed with [plan director Ralph] Booker’s interpretation that restrictions found applicable in one zone may not be appropriate in another.
Both sides spoke of the possible need to update the ordinance, one of the few items on which both parties agreed.
Link. (South Bend Tribune)
April 26th, 2006 07:29
I thought this story about organic farming in the area was positive.
Notably, it reported “Organic dairy farmers receive substantially more for milk — about $10 to $14 more per 100 pounds — than conventional dairies, Rheinheimer said.”
So it appears there are win-win situations out there where animals can be treated decently, and the farmer can earn a living, too.