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From Thursday
Locals not happy with megafarm plans
Approximately 50 people crowded into the Scott Fire Department to see what,
if anything, could be done about a proposal to bring a number of large hog
opera tions
into western Van Wert and Paulding counties. Like Pandora’s box, the
mythical box that contained the world’s ills, there was a little hope left
at the end for those who attended. There was also the possibility of a more
than a few ills as well, including real-life sickness, from the proximity of
what was estimated at 24,000 hogs a year in an area of about 6 square miles,
mostly in Union Township. Operators of the related properties would be Tom,
Louise and Andy Sekel. Lindsay Hotmire, who grew up with her husband in
Union Township and recently moved back there with him and their four young
children, spoke about the potential problems associated with such
large-scale livestock operations. Hotmire, who has done extensive research
into the problems and is the chair of a group called CARE (Citizens Acting
Responsibly for our Environment) , told those at the meeting she has talked
to environmental attorneys, people all across Ohio, as well as others in
Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa who have had similar “megafarms” in their
backyards – literally. Potential problems, she said, could include
contamination of groundwater, the presence of E. coli bacteria, Salmonella,
and nitrates, among other substances, in area groundwater. Hotmire noted
that, while large hog operations with 2,500 or more animals are subject to a
number of regulations, including water and air quality standards, those
operations under 2,500 are virtually unregulated. She added, though, that
local officials do have some power to regulate hog farms with less than
2,500 animals. “The township trustees are not powerless … the county
commissioners are not powerless; there’s something they can do.” Also noting
that one hog contributes an amount of waste equal to that of four humans,
Hotmire added that a three-site operation planned for Union Township, which
could includ e
up to 7,497 hogs, could produce as much waste as 28,000 humans – nearly the
population of Van Wert County – in a 6-mile-square area. “How much can one
land system take?” Hotmire asked
rhetorically while talking about the amount of waste and other pollutants
associated with large livestock operations. Dr. Joel Knerr, a family
physician who lives in Union Township, but has a practice in Ottoville, also
talked about the potential health risks, which include diminished brain
function, higher incidences of asthma and other respiratory illnesses,
diarrhea, headaches, burning eyes, Blue Baby Syndrome, and spontaneous
abortions. Stating that he has seen first-hand the health problems related
to such large livestock operations, Dr. Knerr added: “I think this is a
serious health risk to us all; the closer you are, the more serious it is. I
don’t think there is any question about
it.” Dr. Knerr added his feeling that
there needs to be a moratorium on such operations until the potential health
risks can be documented. Hotmire noted that, in addition to health and
“quality of life” issues, local property values could fall as much as 70
percent in the immediate area around the hog operations, while local
businesses and population could also decline because of the megafarms.
Hotmire told the crowd that neighboring residents could also be forced to
provide easements without compensation to the megafarm operations. However,
while Hotmire noted that organizations such as the Farm Bureau have promoted
megafarms and other large agribusiness operations, she said she wasn’t
against farmers. Noting that there were farmers in her own family
background, Hotmire added: “We are not anti-farming, we are very
pro-agriculture,” but also added, “We are
not pro-agricultural industry.“ The Sekels were not at the meeting, but did
have a representative, Tom Gordon. Gordon’s sympathies were more than a bit
conflicted, though, as his comments were as much “anti-megafarm” as
“pro-Sekels.” Meanwhile, with the speed at which the megafarms operation is
moving – with a possibility of ground being broken in as little as two weeks
– Hotmire said action was needed quickly. Local officials appear to support
the group, with Commissioner Gary Adams and Union Township Trustee Mike
McOmber both stating their willingness to support
 the
group and do what they can to halt or regulate the megafarm operations.
Hotmire said trustees could enact
conditional use legislation similar to a measure passed in Greene County
that would make it more difficult to
establish such operations, while local agencies, such as the county health
department and Soil and Water Conservation District, could act on health and
environmental problems if the megafarms can’t be prevented from operating.
Those at the meeting also signed petitions, while several planned to contact
state representatives and still others plan to attend an upcoming Union
Township trustees meeting. Long-term, though, many of those attending
Wednesday’s meeting seemed to think that a permanent legislative fix was
needed at the state level. “The law is not on our side, it is on the side of
these agricultural farmers posing as agriculture, but really operating as
industry,” she said.
Photo captions: Top -- Lindsay Hotmire talks about the potential problems
of large livestock operations. Middle -- Dr. Joel Knerr is concerned about
possible health risks. Bottom -- Union Township Trustee Mike McOmber said
the trustees would so what they can to deal with the problem. Dave
Mosier/Van Wert independent
2/28 |
taking
a cautious approach to sending their students out on slippery, snow-covered
roads. County schools, including Van Wert City, St. Mary's Elementary,
Lincolnview, Crestview and Vantage Career Center, are on a two-hour delay
this morning, while Thomas Edison Center, and First United Methodist,
Calvary and Convoy preschools are on a one-hour delay. Classes were canceled
on Tuesday after the storm that hit overnight Monday resulted in unsafe road
conditions. Temperatures fell last night after several inches of snow fell
on the area Tuesday night and this morning. Some blowing and drifting also
occurred overnight in the area.
