July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
More details released on CAFO stance (3/21/09)
To the editor:
In The CR article March 16, 2009, about the Jay County Commissioners' meeting that date, my remarks were quoted on the proposed 6200-heifer CAFO next to the Wabash River. I was not misquoted, but what I said was only part of what I wanted to say. I was going to address the commissioners with a prepared speech, but they asked that I give them a copy of my remarks and talk to them without reading it. The following is the entire speech to clarify my position on this matter:
"I have never been to one of your meetings, and I appreciate the opportunity to say a few words regarding something I feel strongly about. I know your job is a thankless one, and you have difficult decisions to make with many factors to consider.
"I have not been a watchdog on the CFO/CAFO issue because I felt there must be a process whereby the zoning and environmental authorities were looking out for the interests of all the citizens.
"Until I was notified on March 3 of the 6200-head CAFO next to the Wabash River with a two-week limit for opposing it, I hadn't been looking at every proposal that had been published in the paper. I figured that's what you guys are here for.
"Since this CAFO came to my attention, I have begun to look into the process, and I do not like what I see. I understand why there are groups forming to find a way to change the way the approval system works.
"I have spent as much time as I could trying to learn about how this CAFO got approved in what appears to be the absolute wrong place for such an operation. If I went about selecting a site anywhere in the county outside the two-mile limit of Portland that has the most potential for creating a disaster, I don't think I could come up with a worse location.
"It is either in or drains into a flood plain which leads directly into the Wabash River less than one-half mile away. The Wabash is Indiana's major waterway and is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. Downstream from this point are numerous recreational and natural facilities, and the health of the Wabash is the focus of many groups who want to see more opportunities for expansion of their activities. Even as we speak, there are groups in both Adams County and Jay County who are working hard to enhance the recreational nature of this region: Limberlost Cabin, Friends of the Limberlost, the Loblolly Marsh, the South Adams trail group, the Ceylon Bridge project, and the wetlands park who are making plans to build trails and create more recreational access to this special area. Of course, there are commercial interests like Bearcreek Farms and Amishville as well as other tourist attractions in both Jay County and Adams County whose interests should be considered in the overall plan for the region.
"Because of the irreversible nature of a decision involving so many factors and resources, it seems that you should not rush into accepting this facility without considerably more research into all of its effects. Isn't there some process, such as a temporary moratorium, to delay a final decision until more of the facts are known? I think the long-term impact of a potentially wrong decision is too great to overlook potentially harmful results by allowing this 6200-animal facility to locate on this site.
"Thank you again for your time, and I hope there is a way for you to reach a more informed decision."
Since writing it, I have learned much more about this specific situation and suggest that anyone who is interested drive up to the site and see first hand if my concerns are valid about this particular location. If the information I've received is correct, the 18 million-gallon manure reservoir would be south of CR 900 North (the Jay-Adams county line road), between CR 250 East and 350 East, near where a culvert goes under 900 North and flows north into the Wabash River in Adams County. During runoff conditions, substantial amounts of water flow from this site into the Wabash River.
I welcome any discussion on the matter, as I simply want the facts to be brought to the attention of those making decisions. If you wish to have your voice heard, attend a commissioners' meeting at 9 a.m., Monday mornings, in the Courthouse Commissioners' Room.
Tom Young
Portland[[In-content Ad]]
In The CR article March 16, 2009, about the Jay County Commissioners' meeting that date, my remarks were quoted on the proposed 6200-heifer CAFO next to the Wabash River. I was not misquoted, but what I said was only part of what I wanted to say. I was going to address the commissioners with a prepared speech, but they asked that I give them a copy of my remarks and talk to them without reading it. The following is the entire speech to clarify my position on this matter:
"I have never been to one of your meetings, and I appreciate the opportunity to say a few words regarding something I feel strongly about. I know your job is a thankless one, and you have difficult decisions to make with many factors to consider.
"I have not been a watchdog on the CFO/CAFO issue because I felt there must be a process whereby the zoning and environmental authorities were looking out for the interests of all the citizens.
"Until I was notified on March 3 of the 6200-head CAFO next to the Wabash River with a two-week limit for opposing it, I hadn't been looking at every proposal that had been published in the paper. I figured that's what you guys are here for.
"Since this CAFO came to my attention, I have begun to look into the process, and I do not like what I see. I understand why there are groups forming to find a way to change the way the approval system works.
"I have spent as much time as I could trying to learn about how this CAFO got approved in what appears to be the absolute wrong place for such an operation. If I went about selecting a site anywhere in the county outside the two-mile limit of Portland that has the most potential for creating a disaster, I don't think I could come up with a worse location.
"It is either in or drains into a flood plain which leads directly into the Wabash River less than one-half mile away. The Wabash is Indiana's major waterway and is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. Downstream from this point are numerous recreational and natural facilities, and the health of the Wabash is the focus of many groups who want to see more opportunities for expansion of their activities. Even as we speak, there are groups in both Adams County and Jay County who are working hard to enhance the recreational nature of this region: Limberlost Cabin, Friends of the Limberlost, the Loblolly Marsh, the South Adams trail group, the Ceylon Bridge project, and the wetlands park who are making plans to build trails and create more recreational access to this special area. Of course, there are commercial interests like Bearcreek Farms and Amishville as well as other tourist attractions in both Jay County and Adams County whose interests should be considered in the overall plan for the region.
"Because of the irreversible nature of a decision involving so many factors and resources, it seems that you should not rush into accepting this facility without considerably more research into all of its effects. Isn't there some process, such as a temporary moratorium, to delay a final decision until more of the facts are known? I think the long-term impact of a potentially wrong decision is too great to overlook potentially harmful results by allowing this 6200-animal facility to locate on this site.
"Thank you again for your time, and I hope there is a way for you to reach a more informed decision."
Since writing it, I have learned much more about this specific situation and suggest that anyone who is interested drive up to the site and see first hand if my concerns are valid about this particular location. If the information I've received is correct, the 18 million-gallon manure reservoir would be south of CR 900 North (the Jay-Adams county line road), between CR 250 East and 350 East, near where a culvert goes under 900 North and flows north into the Wabash River in Adams County. During runoff conditions, substantial amounts of water flow from this site into the Wabash River.
I welcome any discussion on the matter, as I simply want the facts to be brought to the attention of those making decisions. If you wish to have your voice heard, attend a commissioners' meeting at 9 a.m., Monday mornings, in the Courthouse Commissioners' Room.
Tom Young
Portland[[In-content Ad]]
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