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TAKE ACTION TODAY! 7. Join Iowa Citizens for
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Recently, local livestock farmers approached JFAN and requested guidelines for the building of acceptable livestock confinements within the County. Although JFAN is a strong supporter of sustainable livestock farming methods and desires and encourages all future livestock operations to embrace these methods, from a practical perspective these “Good Neighbor Guidelines” have been developed in response to these requests. It is JFAN’s desire that they be adopted by anyone intending to build new confined livestock operations within the County, whether such confinements are of the SAFO (small animal feeding operation) or of the CAFO (confined animal feeding operation) classification. Click here to view Guidelines (or, download Word document). On May 19, 2006, the Pleasant Plain Property Owners Association and several residents of Jefferson County, Iowa, filed a lawsuit against the owner of a proposed hog confinement facility for anticipatory trespass seeking to enjoin violations of law and activities that pose an unreasonable risk to the health, safety, or welfare of the public.
The Pleasant Plain Property Owners Association, Inc., along with other residents of Jefferson County, filed a lawsuit against James Kaska, owner of a hog confinement facility currently under construction in the County. A number of the neighbors have met with Mr. Kaska in an attempt to resolve this matter without the need for litigation, however, Mr. Kaska would not agree to stop construction of the proposed facility. Mr. Kaska intends to build this hog confinement facility despite the objections of plaintiffs and other neighborhood residents. The lawsuit asserts that the large numbers of swine to be confined at the proposed facility will generate massive amounts of manure and urine every month and there is imminent danger in that the proposed operation will emit unhealthy substances. Plaintiffs also allege that this facility will create a significant risk of groundwater contamination and that the proposed operation will cause a general decline in the quality of life and well being in the area (near Pleasant Plain Road and Route 1, about 3 miles north of Fairfield) since the location is not suitable for the proposed confinement operation. The plaintiffs believe that Mr. Kaska’s efforts to establish a highly concentrated swine production facility at the proposed location constitutes an unreasonable use of the land. “Good neighbors do not pollute their neighbors’ properties, the air or the groundwater. There are more than 50 homes within two miles of it,” said Jim Rubis, President of Jefferson County Farmers and Neighbors. "In JFAN’s opinion, the increasing number of confinement facilities in Jefferson County, Iowa, could result in an adverse impact on the environment and the likely loss of property value for rural residents." In addition to the lawsuit, individuals in Jefferson County—including a number of the plaintiffs—have requested that Mr. Kaska participate in a nuisance mediation session over this same facility. It is hoped that the mediation will result in a satisfactory resolution of the matter. For additional information regarding this lawsuit, please contact plaintiffs’ attorneys James Brick or Bill Mallory of the Brick Gentry law firm in Des Moines, Iowa.
Victory Ends Four-Month Wapello County Factory Farm Battle (4/18/06 - Iowa CCI) Iowa CCI members living in Wapello County went to the County Supervisors in early January and were able to get the Supervisors to oppose the site. The comments that members submitted identified numerous problems, including proximity to a floodplain, waterways and creeks bisecting the land, and highly erodible land – anywhere from 9% all the way up to 40% slopes. Chapter members took DNR director Vonk on a tour of the proposed site and met with him to lay out the problems again. As a result of this work, EPC commissioner Francis Thicke reviewed the manure management plans and found numerous problems. He reported this to the Iowa DNR and EPC at the February EPC commission meeting. It became apparent that the factory farm operator had used inaccurate numbers throughout the manure management plan – anywhere from saying the hogs would produce half the amount of manure that they actually would, to inaccurate slope values, and more than double the acceptable yield rates on HEL ground. The DNR continued to give Aljets additional chances to fix the problems. On March 20th the EPC recommended that the DNR deny the permit after 3 failed chances, however, Aljets was given two more chances to get it right. When Aljets did not meet the April 13th deadline that the DNR set to get the last revision in, the DNR finally said enough is enough and denied the permit!! This is only the second time that the Iowa DNR has denied a permit. The first time was 10 years ago when a factory farm wanted to build in the Loess Hills. In addition to denying this permit, the DNR has decided to change their policies on how they deal with extension requests from the producer, DNR’s request for additional or corrected information, and the acceptable yield rates for the phosphorus index. These policy changes will help the DNR better protect our water and level the playing field a little, so they are not just bending over backwards for factory farm owners.
Dear JFAN supporters: 1. JFAN delivers first wave of petitions To give you an idea what that means, in the most recent elections: To gather that many signatures in only six days demonstrates the power of the people and we’re just getting started. You can see from the above how 2,000 people could easily change the course of an election. Great job! About 15 Jefferson County residents were at the rally, probably the largest contingent from any one county. Don't stop now because the petition campaign Deborah Williamson developed will include more than 6 diverse state-wide organizations. She will present additional petitions to legislative leaders during the session as they are gathered by the other organizations. Copies of the petition have already been delivered to Senator David Miller and Representative John Whitaker and will go to the Environmental Protection Commission, Jefferson County Board of Supervisors, and Fairfield City Council soon. In addition to the 2,000+ individual signatures gathered by JFAN, the Iowa Farmers Union has already signed for their entire statewide membership of 1,400 people. Also, the Iowa Environmental Council has passed the petition to its 63 state-wide organizations. Petitions are available locally at the At Home Store and 21st Century Bookstore or can be printed by clicking here. Don't stop now. Every signature counts. Momentum across the state is gaining as opponents of CAFOs are chaulking up victories and ever expanding support. (See Worth County article below) 2. Farson CAFO While this site is about 4 miles further from Fairfield, it is an even worse location than the "Batavia site" proposed last summer. The facility itself, and the land in the "manure management plan", is on "highly erodible land" that slopes directly to Competine Creek. Over three million gallons of toxic manure will be spread in this area EACH YEAR. Competine Creek flows directly into Cedar Creek which is the main waterway through Jefferson County. Iowa CCI is working with the families to plan efforts to stop construction. We will notify JFAN supporters as soon as there are action points we can take to help in this effort. Even though the facility is not in Jefferson County, Wapello County development will spill into Jefferson County. This facility will sell 800 to 1,200 "weaner pigs" (usually about 15 to 35 pounds) weekly. About 4400 pigs will be on site in a continuous rotation, the vast majority being sows. It is very likely that "finishing operations," where the pigs are grown to market weight, will be constructed within easy shipping distance (read Jefferson County) of the facility. Opponents of CAFOs are beginning to experience some success across the state. It shows that our goals are achievable but will take much effort. Please continue your support in any way you can. 3. Iowans apply pressure, keep hog lots away Thanks for all your tremendous help. Your efforts are paying off.
The petition is for a state-wide moratorium on the building of large-scale, corporate-owned factory farms. Please download the Petition and then have friends and neighbors sign it.
News Flash from Iowa CCI: 12/13/05 DNR Introduces Rule to Rein in Factory Farms CCI members applaud bold move – but call for rule’s immediate implementation. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE ON DEC. 19TH! The DNR had originally stated they would put the rule through as an emergency rule, which means that it would go into effect immediately. The DNR has now backed away from this and will put it out for public comment. We strongly support the rule, however, rural Iowans should not have to wait any longer to have some protection against factory farms. We need this rule now. Join members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement from around the state to support Iowa DNR’s proposed factory farm siting rules and push the EPC to implement it now. CCI members and other concerned Iowans will be going to the EPC meeting on December 19th to support this rule. The EPC meeting will be held at the University of Iowa Hygienic Lab 2220 South Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, Iowa the public participation section starts at 10:30. We’re asking folks to be there by 9:45 a.m. There will also be a factory farm discussion starting at 8:00 a.m. for those interested. We would love it if you could join us at the EPC meeting and stand up and speak out for clean water, rural residents and our communities. It is also important that concerned citizens contact the EPC commissioners and Director Richard Leopold Charlotte Hubbell cbhubbell@aol.com DNR Director Richard Leopold: richard.leopold@dnr.state.ia.us For more information call the CCI office at 515/282-0484 or email iowacci@iowacci.org I. Des Moines Register and Action Alert Click here to read the Des Moines Register article. This article highlights the need for real change on factory farm issues. CCI will continue to push for real change including local control. As we build momentum, we need to keep the pressure on. Here are three ways that you can help: 1. Write a letter to the Editor You can send your letters to: Des Moines Register - letters@news.dmreg.com or Editor, Des Moines Register, 715 Locust Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309. 2. Contact Governor Culver Send an e-mail to Governor Chet Culver from this page: http://www.governor.iowa.gov/administration/contact/ Or, write to him at Iowa State Capitol Building Des Moines, IA 50319 515/281-4495 or 515/281-5211. 3. Contact EPC members and thank them for addressing these tough issues. Contact the EPC members at: Charlotte Hubbell cbhubbell@aol.com II. Victory on EPA’s Safe Harbor for factory farms. |
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