Tag Archives: Johnson County

Are CAFOs healthy for children and other living things?

28 Thursday Mar 2019

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In October 2018, in the Warrensburg, Missouri Daily Star-Journal:

Health board to present CAFO proposals to county commission
SUE STERLING Staff writer Oct 1, 2018

WARRENSBURG – The Johnson County Community Health Services board gave the go-ahead to Administrator Anthony Arton to present proposals to the Johnson County Commission for developing regulations for confined animal feeding operations in the county.

Arton discussed the issue with the board following a presentation on Thursday, Sept. 27, by members of the Lone Jack Neighbors on health issues associated with CAFOs.

Mary Haskins, a biology professor at Rockhurst University with a background in environmental and ecology issues, said the health problems suffered by people living near CAFOs has been known for decades….

[….]

Johnson County Community Health Services is governed by an elected board:

….Operated under County Health Center Statutes (Chapter 205 RSMo) and an elected Board of Trustees. JCCHS was created to house a multi-purpose agency that includes Home Health, Public Health, and WIC….Our Public health provides many services as well; vaccinations, birth and death records, environmental services, and more….

Environmental services. Fancy that.

In January 2019, in the Daily Star-Journal:

Candidate filing ends for April 2 election
By Sue Sterling [….] Jan 16, 2019

WARRENSBURG — The filing deadline for city, school district and special district seats in the April 2 election ended at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15.
The following candidates have filed to seek election:
[….]
Johnson County Community Health Services: Incumbent Kay Stauffer is opposed for re-election to a four-year term by Darlene Buckstead, James L. Williams and Vickie Cooperider.
[….]

[emphasis added]

In March 2018, a letter [pdf], from Darlene Buckstead – as of its writing, President of the Board of Johnson County Farm Bureau – to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as part of the public comment related to the permitting of a CAFO located in western Johnson County which would hold 6,999 cattle on approximately 400 acres:

….I can understand neighbors of Valley Oaks having concerns. However, when they moved to that area, they knew they were settling into an agricultural area. Many of thee neighbors are active in agriculture themselves, but not on the scale of Valley Oaks. When new people in a neighborhood become alarmed at activities which have long been practiced, I feel it is incumbent on the newer people to adjust their expectations.

In summary, I believe the valley Oaks organization should be allowed to have their CAFO if they obtain appropriate permit from the DNR…

Uh, it’s the CAFO that’s new, right?

Because, no matter where we live in rural Missouri, we should expect we might have to live downwind from a 6,999 head of cattle CAFO operation? It’s a matter of scale.

In April 2019, in the Daily Star-Journal:

Opponents, supporters provide comments at CAFO permit hearing
SUE STERLING Staff writer Apr 4, 2018

…Darlene Buckstead, president of the Johnson County Farm Bureau, said she is in favor of farmers and farming.

“When you start shutting down agriculture, you’ll starve,” she said…

Given the public comment letter sent to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources that comment in the newspaper probably indicates support of the CAFO. But then, there were plenty of other people at the hearing opposed to the CAFO who were involved in agriculture who we’re pretty sure weren’t advocates of shutting down agriculture and forcing everyone to starve.

This month, in the Daily Star-Journal:

Four candidates vie for health board seats
By Sue Sterling [….] Mar 19, 2019

….Buckstead, 66, of rural Holden, holds an associate and master’s degrees in nursing, and bachelor degrees in history and education. She is presently employed at Cass Regional Medical Center. She has worked in health care for 50 years, including longterm care, acute care, emergency room and infection control over the years. She is active in her church, where she is pianist and a Sunday school teacher, and currently is teaching a sewing class to junior high school-aged students. She is a Farm Bureau member and a former 4-H leader.

She said her reason for seeking election is, “The health department, in one way or another, impacts the well-being of everyone in Johnson County. I would like to be involved in the organization….

Interestingly, there’s no mention of CAFOs.

So, for the future Johnson County Community Health Services board, are CAFO’s healthy for children and other living things?

It looks like we’ll find out after the April 2nd election.

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)

AG Josh Hawley (r): CAFO manure trumps Powell Gardens (September 1, 2018)

What’s the matter with Johnson County (Missouri)?

11 Sunday Nov 2018

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Cognitive dissonance. But then, that’s not really true because there is no exhibited discomfort.

In 2012 Claire McCaskill (D) won Johnson County, Missouri by around 7.5%. In 2018 she lost the county by a much larger margin, over 22%.

2018 election results, via the Johnson County, Missouri County Clerk/Election Authority:

SUMMARY REPORT Unofficial Results
Run Date:11/08/18 November 6, 2018
RUN TIME:12:19 PM General Election

PRECINCTS COUNTED (OF 11) . . . . . 11
REGISTERED VOTERS – TOTAL . . . . . 32,281
BALLOTS CAST – TOTAL. . . . . . . 17,812
VOTER TURNOUT – TOTAL . . . . . . 55.18%

U.S. SENATOR
(VOTE FOR) 1
Josh Hawley (REP). . . . . . . . 10,449 58.98%
Claire McCaskill (DEM) . . . . . . 6,468 36.51%
Japheth Campbell (LIB) . . . . . . 289 1.63%
Jo Crain (GRE). . . . . . . . . 87 .49%
Craig O’Dear (IND) . . . . . . . 407 2.30%
WRITE-IN. . . . . . . . . . . 16 .09%
Total . . . . . . . . . 17,716

The 2012 U.S. Senate results, via the Missouri Secretary of State:

State of Missouri – General Election, November 06, 2012
Official Results
As announced by the Board of State Canvassers on December 05, 2012
[Johnson County]
U.S. Senator
11 of 11 Precincts Reported

Claire McCaskill Democratic 10,197 49.097%
Todd Akin Republican 8,613 41.470%
Jonathan Dine Libertarian 1,959 9.432%
Total Votes: 20,769

There ain’t that many Libertarians in Johnson County, Missouri, not then and not now.

Back to 2018:

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 1
(VOTE FOR) 1
Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,089 58.10%
No. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,277 41.90%
Total . . . . . . . . . 17,366

The voted overwhelmingly for ethics, campaign finance, lobbying, and redistricting reform. And yet, they voted for the people opposed to the initiative, including incumbents who they returned to the Missouri General Assembly.

And, on medical marijuana:

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT NO. 2
(VOTE FOR) 1
Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,307 64.39%
No. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,252 35.61%
Total . . . . . . . . . 17,559

They really liked that initiative. What gives?

The voted overwhelmingly to raise the minimum wage in Missouri:

PROPOSITION B
(VOTE FOR) 1
Yes . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,051 57.25%
No. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,506 42.75%
Total . . . . . . . . . 17,557

Again, they voted for the republican U.S. Senate candidate opposed to the initiative, and the republican incumbents in the Missouri House, also opposed to the initiative, who they returned to the Missouri General Assembly.

In the August 2018 primary, Johnson County voters voted overwhelmingly against imposing the “right to get paid less” initiative on Missourians:

SUMMARY REPORT All Precincts Reporting 100%
Run Date:08/13/18 August 7, 2018
RUN TIME:02:06 PM Primary Election

Right To Work Question
(VOTE FOR) 1
(WITH 11 OF 11 PRECINCTS COUNTED 100%)
YES . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,294 34.85
NO. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,157 65.15

Johnson County voters felt even more strongly about this than they did about approving medical marijuana in the November general election. And, yet again, the voted for the republican U.S. Senate candidate who supported the initiative, and the republican incumbents in the Missouri House, also who supported to the initiative, who they returned to the Missouri General Assembly.

Voters in other counties and across the state did the same thing.

What gives?

Previously:

What’s the matter with Saline County? (November 9, 2018)

AG Josh Hawley (r): CAFO manure trumps Powell Gardens

01 Saturday Sep 2018

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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)

And they have a CAFO

15 Friday Jun 2018

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Missouri Department of Natural Resources staff at the CAFO permit hearing in Warrensburg for the Valley Oaks Steak Company – April 3, 2018.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources issued the permit to allow a CAFO to operate in western Johnson County, despite widespread opposition from neighbors and Powell Gardens.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2018
[….]
Department issues no-discharge operating permit to Valley Oaks Steak Company

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JUNE 15, 2018 – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has issued a Class IB National Pollution Discharge Elimination System operating permit to Valley Oaks Steak Company LLC.

Valley Oaks Steak Company LLC operates an animal feeding operation located at 1921 W. 50 Highway, Lone Jack. Previously housing fewer than 999 cows, the facility was classified as a Class II animal feeding operation.
The Class IB NPDES permit will allow the company to house up to 6,999 beef cattle at the Lone Jack facility, which is now subject to concentrated animal feeding operations regulations and permit requirements.

Department staff reviewed the application for completeness and compliance with the Missouri Clean Water Law and the Missouri Clean Water Commission regulations.

Any parties adversely affected or aggrieved by the department’s decision to approve the permit request and issue the final NPDES permit may appeal to the Administrative Hearing Commission by filing a written petition within 30 days from issuance (July 16, 2018).

The final NPDES permit and additional information is available on the department’s website…
[….]

A neighbor’s sign.

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)

One voter at a time

21 Monday May 2018

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On Sunday afternoon Renee Hoagenson (D), a candidate in the 4th Congressional District, held an informal meet and greet with voters in a supporter’s home in rural Johnson County. Approximately thirty individuals attended.

Renee Hoagenson (D).

Over the course of the two hour event Renee Hoagenson spoke individually with everyone, addressed the group, and answered a number of questions on a variety of subjects – including the dysfunction in Congress, health care, Medicare, Social Security, campaign finance, and “Right to Work”.

You meet voters, tell them who you are and what you believe in, and ask them for their support and vote.

Suppose you threw a DNR CAFO hearing in Warrensburg and everyone came? – Chuck Petentler

07 Saturday Apr 2018

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It’s all about the money.

A company is in the process of creating an “up to” 6,999 beef cattle confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) on 400 acres on U.S. 50 in western Johnson County, just west of Powell Gardens. The Missouri Department of Natural Resource held a permit hearing in Warrensburg on Tuesday evening.

Chuck Petentler, a Johnson County resident, spoke:

[Chuck Petentler][spelling] I’m a Jonson County resident, about thirty-five years. You know, sometimes at the end of the day you just got to do what’s right. You might look at the, uh, all the statistics and do they meet minimum specifications. And maybe the answer is, yes they do. So maybe you can do the right thing. But, or really good, what’s right. What’s important is to do the right thing. You know, I look these people here with the red shirts. If anything they said is remotely true. There’s a chance that, yes, they will suffer some severe illnesses or, or their lifestyle will be, will be, will be changed. If there’s a chance, let’s say, uh, one in ten. My opinion, that’s enough to say, wait. [applause] Think about it. [shouting] Don’t think about what’s right [inaudible], think about doing the right thing. [applause]

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? – Eric Tschanz

07 Saturday Apr 2018

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It’s all about the money.

A company is in the process of creating an “up to” 6,999 beef cattle confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) on 400 acres on U.S. 50 in western Johnson County, just west of Powell Gardens. The Missouri Department of Natural Resource held a permit hearing in Warrensburg on Tuesday evening.

Eric Tschanz, Director Emeritus, Powell Gardens spoke:

[Eric Tschanz][spelling] I’m the Director Emeritus of Powell Gardens. [turning to audience] I’m not a hired gun. I’m retired. Okay? Um, and I won’t repeat all the numbers of the volumes of urine and manure that will be produced. It is amazing. But I will state that for my own home sanitary system I had to meet more stringent requirements on my three acres. [applause] I do this within three miles of this factory zone. So I ask the DNR today to deny this permit and as the DNR take a step forward. Help save this planet for our children and our grandchildren. Thank you. [applause]

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? – Aimee Davenport on behalf of Powell Gardens

06 Friday Apr 2018

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It’s all about the money.

A company is in the process of creating an “up to” 6,999 beef cattle confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) on 400 acres on U.S. 50 in western Johnson County, just west of Powell Gardens. The Missouri Department of Natural Resource held a permit hearing in Warrensburg on Tuesday evening.

Aimee Davenport of Stinson, Leonard, Street spoke on behalf of Powell Gardens:

Good evening. I’m Aimee Davenport with the law firm of Stinson, Leonard, Street on behalf of Powell Gardens. [spelling] Thank you very much for this opportunity to comment. Uh, part of my, uh, career in clean water work involves reviewing permits, uh, for compliance, reviewing regulations, statutes, and writing permit terms, um, as necessary. Both on the, on the private side as well as, uh, previously in the public sector.

And never before have I seen a situation that warrants a permit denial more than this one. [applause] Valley Oak Steak Company is applying for a general permit that is meant and its purpose is to govern standard, a category of standard operations, a category of very similar operations. And it contains very standard environmental protection provisions. This is not a standard operation. Missouri’s own regulations only require a general permit, uh, to be issued for categories of operations that are substantially similar in nature, have substantially similar effluent discharges and that can substantially conditioned in the same manner to protect waters of the state. This permit doesn’t do that.

One of the ways, uh, to begin with, one of the ways this is such a different situation is, is the population density that we’re dealing with here. Within a few mile radius we have six thou, over six thousand people. Within a two mile radius we still over a thousand families. And of course, as you’re hearing from me and my, my colleagues at Powell Gardens you have a priceless community treasure within three miles that is, will be devastated with the issuance of this permit.

So this is not a standard situation. It needs to be viewed as that. It needs to be evaluated in environmental standpoint, um, as a very special situation due to the nature of the population density and the exotic community gardens that is within three miles of that facility.

Secondly, the combined nature of what they’re doing and the slaughterhouse Valley Oaks [inaudible] the existing slaughterhouse and the addition of almost 7,000 cattle, uh, the combined environmental impacts of those things need to be viewed together not separately. Which is what, uh, Valley Oaks, uh, is attempting to do with its separate permit process, processes. And that is not, um, that’s not consistent with the departments view on watershed planning and viewing environmental im, impacts in a totality of circum, circumstances. And we’re asking you to, to do that with Valley Oaks’ proposal.

Lastly, the permit application as submitted is, is severely deficient in many ways as my colleague after me will, will speak to in later detail.

For these reasons we ask you to please deny the general permit requested by Valley Oaks. Thank you. [applause]

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? – Al Weir

06 Friday Apr 2018

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It’s all about the money.

A company is in the process of creating an “up to” 6,999 beef cattle confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) on 400 acres on U.S. 50 in western Johnson County, just west of Powell Gardens. The Missouri Department of Natural Resource held a permit hearing in Warrensburg on Tuesday evening.

Al Weir, a resident of the area, spoke at the hearing:

My name is Al Weir [spelling]. My wife and I live in Rock Lake Village, small community [inaudible], spring fed lake. We bought our dream home, put everything we had into it, find out now that somebody wants to take that away, along with the twenty-five other people that live in our community. I’ve spent my life defending this country. We have rights. We as individuals and communities have rights. And it’s not right for somebody else to walk in because they want to make money and take away what we have earned and worked for our entire lives. Our water [applause] will be destroyed, the wildlife will be destroyed, our health will be destroyed because somebody wants to make money. [applause]

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? – Karen Lux

05 Thursday Apr 2018

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It’s all about the money.

A company is in the process of creating an “up to” 6,999 beef cattle confined animal feeding operation (CAFO) on 400 acres on U.S. 50 in western Johnson County, just west of Powell Gardens. The Missouri Department of Natural Resource held a permit hearing in Warrensburg on Tuesday evening.

Karen Lux, a resident of the area, spoke at the hearing:

Obviously, I wish everyone here could see our powerpoints and our visuals. Um, if you got a handout please share it. I am Karen Lux, daughter of Jack and Caroline Wilkinson whose property in part is a centennial farm that has been established since the late 1800s and neighbors the Valley Oaks CAFO site. I’m a lifelong resident in this community and my parents have a total of nine grandchildren residing there, the seventh generation. I am submitting letters from four of that seventh generation this evening. Many generations have worked hard to preserve this land and pass it down, such as my father who is a multi generational cattle farmer and my mother, a very successful real estate agent. And I’ve followed in her footsteps.

On my slide you would have seen a photo from March 26th of this year. This photo shows a river basically running down the property from the CAFO buildings. No terraces, lack of ground cover or grass waterways allow the manure from the land application to pollute our waterways. There’s an increasing trend for flood in the Midwest. The watershed from this facility already flow to an impaired 303D waterway at the South Grand River. And due to CAFOs potential spill the EPA designated CAFOs as point sources of pollution.

The Valley Oaks nutrient management plan states they will spread manure on the ground where the facility is located. This land has no ground cover, the corn stubble has been removed, and corn is the only crop being grown on this property. These factors allow the [inaudible] to run off into the FEMA high risk Zone A flood plain. The taller weeds show terraces are not being maintained, which create ditches. And they do have a lot of field erosion. Crop lines are running vertically downhill from the CAFO buildings towards a FEMA high risk Zone A flood plain.

Another picture I had, take March 18th, showed manure was applied to the land where the facility is located the day before a forecasted large rainfall. The Valley Oaks nutrient management plan, Section D, Number 3, states, “No land application if precipitation likely to create runoff is forecasted within 24 hours.” And Section A states, “manure will be disked into the ground.” Neither regulation was followed.

Per Valley Oaks’ permit a hundred six thousand two hundred and twelve tons per year of manure will come from this facility. Or, two hundred and ninety tons per day that is being produced by one less than seven thousand head of cattle. Two hundred and ninety tons per day is the amount of waste created by the cities of Independence and Lee’s Summit, Missouri combined. Also equivalent to the mass of thirty-five elephants. Per Valley Oaks’ application the mass of ten of these elephants will be bagged and old daily. How is that possible?

On March 19th, after, the day after the manure application picture one point four seven inches of rain occurred. In the picture I had it would show you a tire in the, in the picture. Obviously, after we had a large rain that tire had disappeared. According to the current land permit it states that “water shall be free from used tires.” Both violations of their permit.

One point four seven inches of rain occurred on March 19th, the day after the manure application. The pictures would show major water flow coming from the land toward [U.S.] 50 Highway along with major water pooling near the FEMA high risk flood plain on the north side of the CAFO building. […] Excellent. I will finish up, sir.

As a real estate agent I can’t fathom the effects on our community. As the picture I showed, handed out, there’s approximately eight hundred eighty residences within a three mile radius. That’s horrible to see all those families affected.

My last statement would be, when big, big business can come into our established community and tell a multi generational farmer, “If you find you can’t deal with it you can come to our office and we’ll make you an offer.” Our county and our state government is not working for the people. [applause]

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)