Critics of CAFOs air complaints (01/08/07)

It might be a new year, but an old problem is still being heard by Jay County Commissioners.

Concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and confined feeding operations (CFO) still have Jay County residents concerned, and still commissioners are urging county residents to wait for a possible solution.

Janet Walker, an outspoken opponent to the number of operations in the county, spoke to commissioners Milo Miller Jr., Gary Theurer, and Faron Parr today about her concerns.

A resident of Jefferson Township, near the Jay-Randolph county line, Walker said she has spent several hours studying Indiana Department of Environmental Management rules and regulations as well as talking with IDEM personnel.

"They don't care what happens here. We need to make zoning laws," Walker said, explaining that the county is currently home to 41 confined animal operations with six more in the works.

"Is there any way to stop this building?" asked Paula Confer, a resident of West Division Road near Dunkirk who said there were currently eight CAFO buildings in a two-mile area around her farm.

"Oh, yeah," Miller answered, explaining that those regulations could be adopted by the commissioners - most likely after a recommendation from the planning commission.

Commissioners, as well as commission members, have been dealing with the CFO issue for nearly three years, and for nearly three years, residents have been encouraged to wait for answers.

In the fall, when the planning commission was expected to make recommendations to the commissioners, it was decided to allow a Ball State University study try to help find some answers first, and again commissioners were urged by planning commission president Jim Zimmerman to wait for the results of that study before making any changes.

Miller told those concerned today that results of that study are expected to be made sometime this month.

"It's already too late. We're being overwhelmed with CAFOs," Walker said of the current agricultural picture in the county and the results of the study.

"What's the answer?" Miller asked her.

"...the right to farm does not mean the right to harm," she said.

Also today, commissioners learned that county engineer, Dan Watson, is preparing engineering work for the replacement of bridge 72, located on county road 350 North, one-half mile east of the Blackford County line.

Cost for replacing the structure is estimated at $130,000 and Watson told commissioners he hopes to start the project in February and it should be completed in three to four weeks.

Meeting as the drainage board today, commissioners heard rural Richland Township resident, Eugenia Herman, express concern about a section of the Halfway Creek near her farm. She said a side ditch of the creek needs maintenance while a large sandbar near county road 700 South is developing.

County surveyor, Brad Daniels, told her he was not aware of the needed maintenance, and would be looking at the situation.

Herman also expressed concern about water being discharged from a proposed fish processing plant in Redkey's industrial park.

The board assured her that any water leaving the facility must first be treated before being released into any ditch, whether through the facility's own water treatment facility or through Redkey's waste water treatment plant.

Concerning other drainage business, commissioners made Daniels the purchasing agent for a new truck for his department.

Since the cost will be less than $25,000, Daniels was given the OK to seek quotes for the purchase.[[In-content Ad]]