8/18/08--For Immediate Release
Contact: Matt Ohloff, 515-282-0484
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
Iowa CCI members and local residents applaud DNR's decision
Des Moines, Iowa – On August 13, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) denied a 4,900-head hog factory proposed for southern Appanoose County. According to DNR, the permit application did not meet legal requirements, nor did their master matrix pass muster. Although the applicant for this proposed confinement is a local resident, the 4,900 hogs would have been owned by Cargill. Cargill, one of the largest privately-held corporations in the world, has been behind a number of proposed factory farms around the state, including two proposed 7,440-head hog factories in northwest Dallas County.
In July, as a result of overwhelming public opposition, the Appanoose County Board of Supervisors recommended that DNR deny this hog factory proposal.
“I would like to thank the County Supervisors for using what few tools are at the counties’ disposal to represent the people of their County and to stop hog factories from being built,” said Appanoose County resident Allen Lakner.
Members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI), the newly-formed Iowans Down Wind, and other local residents opposed the proposed hog factory for a number of reasons. They challenged the permit application based on the potential for water pollution to nearby wells and water sources and the likelihood of the underground manure storage pit developing cracks and leaking into underground water sources. In addition, several nearby neighbors raised serious health concerns, concerns for loss of property value and decreased quality of life.
“We appreciate the expertise of Iowa CCI in helping us find weaknesses in the Master Matrix,” said CCI member and Appanoose County resident Mike Leach. “As local citizens, we'll continue to stand up for family farms and rural communities, and fight the corporate-backed factory farms that try to build here.”
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is a 33-year old organization with thousands of members across the state from all walks of life who talk, act and get things done on critical issues affecting all Iowans. CCI members recognize the power of uniting and standing up for what’s right. For more information, visit www.iowacci.org.
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