The Stench of Hog Lot Expansion in Scott County
by Molly Regan
On
Thursday, July 28th, 2005, the Scott County Board of Supervisors in
IOWA voted 5–0 to recommend that a hog farmer and his family be allowed
to expand their operations. Thomas Dittmer, Grandview Farms, and
family currently maintain about 1250 hogs in confinement. They
want to increase that number to as many as 3000. The Board does
not have FINAL say as to whether this will take place, they just
recommend yea or nay. The IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
(IDNR) has the final say.
Dittmer
applied for a permit to the IDNR June 30th and there is a 30-day period
for PUBLIC INPUT and input from the Board of Supervisors. Last
night, the Board forwarded their recommendation to the IDNR.
I spoke
on Tuesday morning to the Board and again last evening. I cited a
study by DR. JAMES MERCHANT, DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH AT
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA. In a study, Dr. Merchant found that
children who live close to hog lots where ANTIBIOTICS are used on the
hogs, THESE CHILDREN HAVE A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF ASTHMA THAN THOSE WHO
LIVE CLOSE TO LOTS WHERE ANTIBIOTICS ARE NOT USED. A reference
to this is on my December 12, 2004, environmental post.
It was
mentioned by one of the Supervisors at Tuesday’s meeting that they
believed a waiver had been obtained by Dittmer from several
neighbors. I asked what the wavier said. It was not
known. So I called one of the neighbors who I had spoken with
Sunday evening, and he said he had not signed anything and was not even
approached about signing.
So at
last evening’s meeting, I asked once again for information on this
waiver. It was explained by a Board member that it would stay
with the property no matter who owned the property in the future.
But still, no information as to what it actually said. I pressed
the issue, asking whether or not these other farmers were giving up
their right to sue Dittmer if they ever became ill because of this
operation. Dittmer, who was also present, finally read one of the
waivers that 2 neighbors had signed…. Those pesky environmentalists,
always LOOKING FOR LOGIC.
After
hearing the waiver read, which is some type of separation waiver, I
said that I was no lawyer but it sounded to me as though the neighbors
were giving up some rights.
I asked
the Board to think about purchasing meters that gauge the concentration
of HYDROGEN SULFIDE AND AMMONIA to be placed at this location and
others around the county. I am not sure what will result in my
request.
Apparently
the Board believed that progress is best because Chairman Larry Minard
was convinced that Dittmer has done everything correctly to be a “good
neighbor” by keeping in touch with those living close to him who may be
affected by the odor. Chairman Minard also sites that this
expansion will create good jobs for the area. This type of
progress we can do without.
I grew
up on a farm and I know what it is like to be around hogs, cattle,
chickens and all other types of animal agriculture beings that create
smelly waste. I know people need to make a living at what they
know and love. But increasing from 1250 to 3000 hogs will only
exponentially increase the smell and health hazards in this area.
This farmer has his big toe in the door of unlimited expansion.
In 7 or 8 years, what if another expansion is applied for? When
this farmer wants to retire and a larger hog factory wants to purchase
it and add 10,000 hogs, how will the neighbors feel then? Will
they THEN put up their own stink?
At least
our efforts made it to the front page of the QUAD CITY TIMES ON
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27TH. We will see if others come out the next
time an application is put forth. For today though, if anyone has
concerns about this, contact the IDNR at www.iowadnr.com or
515-281-4367 at their Information and Education Bureau. Ask about
input on the MASTER MATRIX. Do it today, please.
And as the good citizens that you are, do not forget to CPR: CONSERVE –PARTICPATE – RECYCLE.
Blog For Iowa 
Another # for the DNR is515-281-5918…Call them today …Thanks
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You go, girl!!!!! Proud to have you on our side!
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