Van Buren Co. Supervisors to vote on Matrix Dec. 19

Tell your Supervisors to pass the Matrix!

We've heard word from a member in Van Buren County that your Board of Supervisors will be voting on the Master Matrix on Monday, Dec. 19 at 1 pm.

In order to use the matrix, Iowa counties must pass a resolution every year and file it with the DNR between January 1 and Saturday, January 31. The matrix is not local control, however, it allows counties to comment on factory farm permit applications with the DNR having the final say.  

Counties have been able to appeal and STOP factory farm permits because they used the Matrix.  Without it, they can not file appeals on permit to the DNR.

Here's a note from CCI member Lora Conrad on the Van Buren County meeting:

You are receiving this e-mail because I believe you care about the quality of life we have here in Van Buren County. I hope you will be interested in this and will join me at the meeting to support adoption of the master matrix on Monday, December 19th at 1:00 pm. 

Counties that want to evaluate any proposed sites for confinement facilities that need construction permits MUST notify the DNR by January 31 each year. Last year, 88 Iowa counties filed the construction evaluation resolution, including Van Buren.

Hog producers with large confinement facilities (over 2500 hogs) in counties that file the resolution must meet higher standards than sites in counties that do not adopt the matrix. Its not much--it doesn't stop large CAFOS in most cases---but it is our only legal opportunity for input and can require practices that reduce the impact on the environment and reduce the impact on our communities.

Using this matrix process, Van Buren County was able to prevent the construction of a proposed 4800 facility in the past. Because it is a flawed process, we were not able to stop the construction of a CAFO with 2499 hogs because that is currently smaller than the size that must be reviewed. This and other problems must be addressed by our legislators. 

The Van Buren Supervisors will meet on Monday December 19th, 2011 at 1:00 PM in the Supervisors' Room in the Court House at which time this issue is on the agenda. All three county supervisors voted for and adopted the matrix for CAFO construction evaluation for 2011. However, do not assume it will pass unless we show that we support its use. Please show your support for the county to continue to adopt the master matrix and have input on site selection.

ATTEND THE MEETING if you can to show that we want to keep this matrix. It won't take long and no speeches will be needed. Just your support. Please come. As we all know, the next large hog confinement could be in our own backyard. 

If you can not attend, please call or e-mail them . Contact information is below. 

Mark Meek tugboat@netins.net 319-592-3199 

Ted Nixon, Vice Chair, tnixon@netins.net 319-397-2394 

Marvin Philips, chairmmphilipsfarms@gmail.com 641-693-8721 (cell: 641-919-7448). 

Please tell anyone you know that might support adoption of the matrix about the meeting or forward them this e-mail as the more people that know about this the better.  I hope to see you there Monday!

 We will post a Matrix resolution for you to take to your county supervisors very soon. Feel free to call us if you need it sooner. Stay tuned!

In the mean time, if you are in Van Buren County - please share this action alert with your friends and family!