Producers tout positives of livestock farms (05/15/06)

Recommendations from a comprehensive study of confined feeding operations completed in 2005 will be reviewed again by Jay County Commissioners before any action is taken.

Commissioners’ president Milo Miller Jr. said this morning that he recommended holding a public hearing for input on the 15 recommendations the comprehensive study had put forth.

“We can’t make both sides totally happy,” said commissioner Gary Theurer. “It’s going to be a struggle, but we’re going to work on it.”

Miller said he would have Bill Milligan, Jay/Portland Building administrator, take another look at the zoning ordinances, and following the county planning commission’s review, would then make recommendations on adopting them as law.

Commissioners were challenged the past two consecutive Mondays by a group of Noble Township residents who expressed concern about a proposed CFO planned for construction on county road 50 North. Those residents also expressed their concern to the Jay County Council on Wednesday, which recommended commissioners take action on the findings of the study committee.

“I have been working with Joe (Grube, who is building the Noble Township operation) and he did notify neighbors, except for a couple. Joe thought he was doing the right thing,” said Cooper Farms employee, Carl Link, in defense of Grube’s proposed construction.

Vicky Lochtefeld, a rural Union City resident, also defended CFO farming.

She explained to commissioners that CFO operations are already regulated strictly through Indiana Department of Natural Resources guidelines.

“We ask you to consider the farmers’ response to the comprehensive study,” Lochtefelt said about the study, noting more than 200 farmers were in attendance when the study was completed and presented for action. “I urge you to keep a non-biased view.”

Recommendations of the committee in 2005 included more local requirements at the start-up of confined feeding operations, local citations for environmental violations, a manure land-use database and a manure management ordinance, and requiring those who purchase or build residential properties in rural areas to read and sign a copy of the Indiana Right to Farm law.

An active member of the Indiana Farm Bureau, Lochtefeld also said that organization is planning a training session on manure management to be held sometime in September, and local residents would be notified.

“We’re going to go through these, but I’m not sure what we’re going to do,” Miller said about the recommendations. “I’ve got some ideas to kick around. We’re not going to shove these down anyone’s throat.”

Theurer recommended a notification process for all construction in rural areas.

“That’s been the biggest issue, notification,” he said, explaining if someone planned a new home construction anywhere in the county, they would notify surrounding landowners. If a farmer was planning a CFO in the next couple of years to be constructed near that location, the homebuilder would be given notification and could change plans.

“It would work to everybody’s advantage,” Theurer said of the notification process.

“Eighty percent of this has been emotion,” Link said about the recent concerns.

“It’s just gonna make more hoops for the farmers to jump through,” Miller said about the proposed changes.

Also today, courthouse superintendent Roger McBride presented the final bill for the cleaning and repair of the exterior of the courthouse.

Commissioners agreed to pay Atlas Builders of Wabash a balance of $33,903 for the project — including $10,000 out of the courthouse maintenance fund and $23,903 from the infrastructure fund. Fifteen percent of the project’s cost, $5,983.20, was paid earlier.

Additionally this morning, commissioners approved assessor Anita Mills’ recommendations to the property tax assessment board of appeals. Mary Ann Rigby, a Republican, was reappointed to a term on the board, while Joy Scotten, a Democrat, was appointed to a new term.[[In-content Ad]]