Knowing that there are those who are interested in the opposition of the concentrated animal feeding operation currently in operation near Roaring River State Park, we thought it would be a good idea to submit a letter updating everyone on the progress of the Roaring River Parks Alliance.

We have been in contact with trout fishermen associations who are very interested in protecting Roaring River State Park. The Springfield Trout Fishermen’s Association invited some of our members to speak at one of their meetings. As a result of this informational meeting, they gave a donation to assist in providing an attorney.

One of the most heartening aspects of this is that we find that there are many supporters from various parts of the state of Missouri as well as from other states who have organizations involved in controlling the proliferation of CAFOs.

The operating stay we ask for was denied, but that did not surprise us since the chickens were moved in the very day they were granted the operating permit instead of the 30-day wait that was supposed to happen. From what we can tell they also upped the date on changing chickens by about three weeks so they could have another batch in there when the hearing in January was to start.

The January date of the hearing has been moved to March 10-14. Our lawyer, John Price, has asked for a continuance so he can get two scientific experts to study our case and testify on our behalf.

One big bit of news came on Nov. 26, when former Missouri Tourism Director John Robinson urged the state to keep parks and CAFOs separate. In the press release, Robinson states: “While I was always aware of the CAFO controversy in America, my recent study of the CAFO issue has convinced me that many of Missouri’s tourism treasures are in peril.” He further states that once a factory farm moves next to a state park, the threat is not temporary. The potential is very real for damage to air, land and water.

We continue to solicit donations to cover these expenses, but many of the expenses we incur are paid by the members. Anyone wishing to make a donation may make it to Roaring River Parks Alliance, care of Security Bank of Southwest Missouri, P.O. Box 606, Cassville, MO 65625.

Kathy Casey

Exeter