Submitted by kpaul.mallasch on Tue, 05/15/2007 - 11:12pm.
MFP Tags: Indiana Environment, Indiana CAFOs, Indiana CAFO, CFO, CAFOTopics: HealthTypes: Opinion
MFP Tags: Indiana Environment, Indiana CAFOs, Indiana CAFO, CFO, CAFOTopics: HealthTypes: Opinion
Letter: 2007, Year of the CAFO
By Barbara Sha Cox
There have been twists, turns, and now the spins on the 2007 CAFO (confined animal feeding operations) legislation. As members of a grassroots concerned citizens group, we have attended, testified, and in an amateur way tried to lobby with the pros.
There were four key Bills pertaining to the CAFO issue. Senate Bill 447, authored by Senator Paul-this Bill established a three year moratorium on the start of construction of a CAFO. The Bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Environmental Affairs chaired by Senator Gard. She granted the Bill a hearing but she did not bring the Bill to the committee for a vote. The Bill died.
House Bill 1308, authored by Rep Cheathem and Rep Niegodski -allowed local health and zoning boards to approve construction of a Cafo before IDEM approves construction. Bill 1308 passed the House and was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Environmental Affairs. Senator Gard did not bring the Bill before the Committee and the Bill died.
House Bill 1197, authored by Rep Pflum and co authored by Rep Saunders ( a bipartisan Bill) later Rep Tyler was added as a co-author-this Bill offered setbacks, yearly inspections, fees to support the inspections, and training program for manure haulers to name a few. This Bill passed in the House 62-36. The Bill then was referred to Senate Committee on Energy and Environmental Affairs. Senator Gard did not send this Bill to the Senate for a vote. The Bill died.
Senate Bill 431, authored by Senator Gard- had many of the same issues addressed as Bill 1197 except the setbacks and section 9 which was of concern because of the possibility of loss of local control. For compete information on the Bills go to www.in.gov link General Assembly then Bills and Resolutions. This Bill passed the Senate and was referred to the House Agricultural and Rural Development Committee chaired by Rep Pflum. The Bill was heard, and voted for in Committee and then sent to the House. Due to amendments that were added the Bill was sent to the Senate. Senate dissented from House. Then the Bill went to conference, many changes were made and the conferees did not agree. One concern of the citizens was that there was no assurance of yearly inspections or that the taxpayers money would be needed if the fees were not sufficient to cover the yearly inspections. The Bill died.
The setbacks were important to protect the children. It is important to remember the CAFO do have air emissions of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. There are no air regulations in the State. Plus municipalities have concerns about air emissions and property devaluation.
Thank you to Senator Paul, Rep Pflum, and Rep Saunders, from East Central Indiana for taking the time to listen to the concerned citizens. It was refreshing to know that the legislators cared about the citizens and the agricultural community. Also thanks to Rep Knollman for his interest in this issue.
Barbara Sha Cox
Richmond, Indiana
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