CAFO Coverage & 13 Points
Kpaul over at the Muncie Free Press is getting into full swing in his coverage of CAFO’s in East Central Indiana. Applying his journalistic talents, he showed up at the recent Monroe County BZA meeting with audio and video recorders in hand. Today he posted some video clips of the discussion that resulted in the delay in the BZA’s decision on the 4,000 head hog CAFO that I discussed earlier this week (A CAFO Delayed, A CAFO Defeated?).
The consultant (Kari Keller-Steele) working for the farmer told the BZA that the IDEM permit appeal filed by Elwood Concerned Citizens has not immediate impact on the validity of the permit: The group could have requested a stay of the implementation of the permit, but did not. She also claims that the group received a deficient filing notice from IDEM, telling them their appeal needed to be supplemented to meet the appeal requirements. Kpaul has audio and pictures from the meeting up as well.
While you are over there, be sure the check out Cathy Goins’s editorial on the Elwood CAFO. She gives 13 good points, including
- I agree people should be able to use their property. My family has worked as hard as any other family to build our future and secure our investment in this area. We also have a right to enjoy the fruits our hard work. However, because of emissions and pollution from this facility, to say nothing of the smell, I will not be able to use my property as I want. It will not be a healthy place for my grandchildren to play. I will not be able to enjoy my yard. I may not be able to sell my house. Do I not have the same right to use my property how I wish? I promise my choices will not create an unhealthy environment or cause potential devaluation in someone else’s property.
- A recent letter and a Herald Bulletin piece indicated that Mr. Jarrett has agreed to cut his operation from 8,000 to 4,000 hogs to comply with the neighbors concerns. I find this interesting, since he has not been in any contact with us regarding negotiations. The fact is, it sounds generous of him, however, once he has the zoning for the first building, there isn’t much in place to stop him from building a second, third, or more.
Link.
