Attorney General Josh Hawley (r) (and 2018 republican candidate for the U.S. Senate) just literally shit on Powell Gardens (“Kansas City’s botanical garden”) by intervening against a Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission stay of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and a confined animal feeding operation [CAFO] up wind of the gardens.

At Powell Gardens, Kingsville, Missouri. F 5, 1/500, ISO 500, 200 mm – June 2018.

Powell Gardens (located in Kingsville, Missouri in Johnson County, east of the Kansas City metro area) and many of their neighbors have been engaged in a legal battle against the permitting of a CAFO located on approximately 400 acres next to U.S. Highway 50 in western Johnson County. Powell Gardens, east of the CAFO location, is on 970 acres, also along U.S. Highway 50.

An e-mail from Powell Gardens to its patrons:

From: “Powell Gardens”
To: [….]
Sent: Friday, August 31, 2018 12:48:36 PM
Subject: CAFO Update: Unprecedented Legal Actions Unfold as MDNR Sues the AHC

August 31, 2018

Dear [….]

Thank you for your support as we continue to oppose the proposed expansion of the Valley Oaks confined animal feeding operation. The final permit hearing was Monday and Tuesday, August 27-28 in Jefferson City in front of the Administrative Hearing Commission.

Here are a few recent items of note regarding the stay on the expansion permit which was granted on July 26:

A nutrient feeding plan, submitted by Valley Oaks, shows that land application of manure would be over spraying surrounding acreage.

A manure storage plan would stack compacted manure up to 2.3 feet high, the same height as the containment walls of the open-air sheds that would house the cattle, burying the animals only source of drinking water and spilling outside onto the soil, potentially contaminating local water sources.

The DNR permit was issued to, Country Club Homes LLC, which is not a registered business in the state of Missouri.

Attorney General Josh Hawley and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources has filed an injunction against the Missouri Administrative Hearing Commission’s stay order against Valley Oaks Steak Co. LLC to clear the way for the largest beef CAFO (confined animal feeding operation) in the state to operate without a valid permit.

A final decision on the permit is scheduled for October 23, 2018. In the meantime, visit our website for updates.

Sincerely,

Tabitha Schmidt
Executive Director/President
[Powell Gardens]

It happens every time – money and shit trump community and cultural resources.

Previously:

Now that’s a CAFO (March 18, 2018)

Now that’s a CAFO – comments addressed to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (March 21, 2018)

Suppose you threw a DNR CAFO hearing in Warrensburg and everyone came? (April 3, 2018)

Suppose you threw a DNR CAFO hearing in Warrensburg and everyone came? – photos (April 5, 2018)

Suppose you threw a DNR CAFO hearing in Warrensburg and everyone came? – Tabitha Schmidt, CEO President, Powell Gardens (April 5, 2018)

Suppose you threw a DNR CAFO hearing in Warrensburg and everyone came? – Karen Lux (April 5, 2018)

Suppose you threw a DNR CAFO hearing in Warrensburg and everyone came? – Al Weir (April 6, 2017)

Suppose you threw a DNR CAFO hearing in Warrensburg and everyone came? – Aimee Davenport on behalf of Powell Gardens (April 6, 2018)

Suppose you threw a DNR CAFO hearing in Warrensburg and everyone came? – Eric Tschanz (April 7, 2018)

Suppose you threw a DNR CAFO hearing in Warrensburg and everyone came? – Chuck Petentler (April 7, 2018)

And they have a CAFO (June 15, 2018)

Powell Gardens – CAFO permit stayed pending outcome of appeal (July 28, 2018)