Editor, Times-Union: Concerned Citizens of Kosciusko County would like to alert rural neighbors of letters they may receive announcing the intent to construct a CAFO. The letter will not mention that this will be a Confined Animal Feeding Operation and that it may contain 46,020 hogs, or maybe 90,000 chickens, and it will be in very close proximity to your home and your water well, also your good clean breathing space.
It will tell you that the letter writer is required to inform people of their intent without really telling you what their intent is. The letter will not tell you that all of the gallons of manure will need to be spread near you. It won’t tell you that the dead chickens will be put in a compost pile and left to rot. The letter will not mention all of the water needed to clean and sanitize the buildings between litters or broods. You will find out, the hard way, of contamination to your water wells and clean air, when you no longer are able to have either. You will also know that you are living near a CAFO when antibiotics no longer will cure your illness.
Please be on the alert for such a letter and take immediate action should you get one. Find out where your watershed goes. Learn about the aquafier that brings water to your well. Find out about creeks, rivers and lakes that may be affected by a CAFO. Learn about all of the antibiotics used, in the feed, to keep these crowded animals from spreading illness and disease among brood or litter. Send emails to the permit writer at IDEM stating your concerns about these CAFOS.
Join Concerned Citizens of Kosciusko County and help us keep our lakes clean, our air breathable and our homes from being devalued. Help us to bring ordinances to this county to protect the traditional family farmer.
