By Wally Kennedy

wkennedy@joplinglobe.com

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources, in response to citizen concerns about the hog CAFO near Arrow Rock, held a meeting on July 19 to receive public comments about the permit application for the project.

The department, noting that some of the public comments fell outside of the authority of the Clean Water Commission, offered these responses to some of the comments:

n Under Missouri law, the hog CAFO would be classified as a Class 1C CAFO. The DNR said it is not authorized by law to require any odor-control systems.

n Most comments objected to the location of the CAFO in relation to Arrow Rock. The department said it does not have the authority to determine the appropriate site placement or mandate that a site move to a new location. The department does not have zoning authority, nor does the department enforce local zoning requirements.

n Many comments indicated concern about odors. The proposed CAFO has complied with the minimum 1,000-foot buffer zone between the confinement and manure buildings and neighboring residences as required by law. It is the only issue concerning odor that falls under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Commission.

n Many comments expressed concern about the amount of water the CAFO will draw from the ground. The DNR said Missouri is a riparian-rights state and that water usage from groundwater is largely unregulated. There are no state laws, rules or regulations that address well interference. Typically, such matters are settled in civil court by lawsuit.

n Comments concerning health and the use of antibiotics and hormones were expressed. The DNR said the issues are not regulated under the Missouri Clean Water Law.

n Comments concerning the application of manure to the land were received. The DNR said the permit application includes more than 1,000 acres of cropland available for land application. The DNR said ample land is available for land application.

n Comments were received on the impact to property values. The DNR said it is aware of the “potential consequences” that CAFOs have on property values. The issue, however, is not regulated under the Missouri Clean Water Law.

n Comments were received regarding the fact the owner of the CAFO will not live on-site and that some of the profits would be returned to out-of-state investors. The DNR said it has not authority to control those issues.