LTE: Dallas County doesn't need another hog-raising facility

Here's a great letter to the editor that appeared in the May 10, 2012 Des Moines Register from CCI member Ray Harden. He does a great job illustrating why Dallas County - or any other county - doesn't need any more factory farms. Good job Ray!   

Dallas County doesn't need another hog-raising facility

 There are currently 51 confined animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, in Dallas County. Now another one is being planned for the Beaver Township, between Minburn and Bouton, producing 10,000 hogs a year.

The hogs will make 1,277,510 gallons of manure that will be spread on 606 acres twice a year. The waste could flow into Slough Creek, which flows into Beaver Creek and eventually into the Des Moines River near Johnston.

This hog confinement operation could add more pollutants to Iowa’s already impaired waterways. The additional nutrients cause algae blooms and possible fish kills. Also, the runoff contains harmful bacteria and other chemicals that could work their way into the water supply.

People who live near the CAFO will be able to smell it. These CAFOs produce several noxious gases which have human health risk. Besides the odor, the residents of the area will have a reduction in their property values. The developer of the CAFO lives in Boone County, upwind and several miles away from the location.

The Dallas County supervisors will hold a public hearing on this issue before granting the construction permit. The hearing is May 15 at 7 p.m. at 902 Court St. in Adel. Dallas County does not another hog confinement operation that pollutes the water and fouls the air.— Raymond Harden, Perry

> Learn more about the influx of new/expanding factory farms across the state.