Tuesday, July 3, 2007 12:11 PM CDT
Group wants to revive livestock distance debate
DES MOINES (AP) --- An
environmental group wants to revive legislation that would put more distance
between new livestock facilities and homes, tourism areas and waterways.
Advocates say the law is needed to protect Iowans from contaminated water and
foul odors, and they're going door-to-door to pressure lawmakers to resuscitate
the bill.
Opponents said the measure would essentially prohibit growth in the livestock
industry and hurt ethanol producers, who sell corn byproducts to livestock
operations.
"I think if we do anything to really hinder or hamper the livestock industry
in the state, we're going to fall by the wayside regarding the ethanol and
other biorenewables," said Rep. Dwayne Alons, R-Hull, a member of the
House Environmental Protection Committee.
The group backing the idea, Environment Iowa, wants to build a citizen-led
movement to demand the change.
"Civic engagement starts at the door," said Kathleen Cogan, assistant
canvassing director.
Brad Anderson, a spokesman for Chet Culver, said the governor will meet with
both sides in the debate before the next legislative session.
A bill that would have placed minimum distance requirements for new or expanded
livestock operations failed to reach the House or Senate for debate. Rep. Mark
Kuhn, D-Charles City, a main sponsor of the bill, said
he would push for the legislation again next year.
"It's an issue we need to resolve," he said. "The balance is
still tipped in favor of the confinement operators, and I believe we need to
balance that and give more rights to the neighbors and people who live
nearby."
Dave Struthers, a farmer in Collins, has about 9,000 hogs on his family's farm.
He said the legislation could run him and other farmers out of business. He
also said livestock farmers are unfairly blamed for high nitrogen and
phosphorus levels, which can also occur naturally.
"We don't want to pollute the water or air any worse than anybody else
does because our families are out there in it," he said.
