Buffalo River Watershed Alliance
Perry Wheeler, National Parks Conservation Association,
P: 202-419-3712
Background: On May 21 and 22, Arkansas state legislators will tour C & H Hog Farms, which was approved through an inadequate permitting process that did not factor in the potential for numerous environmental and health impacts to the region and Buffalo National River. The agencies that approved the loan and permit for the factory farm failed to consult with the National Park Service or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is charged with protecting endangered species in the region. Local residents could face health impacts, along with a constant unpleasant odor, due to exposure to ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and methane. Additionally, the farm's Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) contained significant errors, omissions and misrepresentations, which were highlighted in a letter to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality last week, urging them to revoke the permit. The letter and associated attachments can be found here: http://buffaloriveralliance.org/Default.aspx?pageId=1558368
Statement by Michael Dougherty, President of the Buffalo River Chamber of Commerce and Member of the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance
“As state legislators prepare to tour C & H Hog Farms, the National Parks Conservation Association, Ozark Society, Buffalo River Watershed Alliance and Arkansas Canoe Club urge that the focus remain on the faulty permitting process that has allowed this industrial hog factory to proceed. The presence of this concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) in the Buffalo River Watershed continues to cause an uproar throughout the state and endangers the local economy, America's first national river – the Buffalo, as well as the quality of life for thousands of surrounding residents.
“The individuals who are set to operate C & H were put into an unfortunate position by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA). The situation we have now is a result of a failed permitting process, and Cargill – the international agri-giant who will supply the hogs – and the agencies involved should be working toward a resolution that pleases everyone. By forcing a permit through that has tremendous holes with a lack of adequate public input, these agencies have endangered our treasured landscape and the livelihoods of many individuals – including the owners of C & H. The organizations concerned about the impact of C & H are pro-farm, but we are also pro-Buffalo National River, and the threat to the nation’s first national river is real.
“Buffalo National River brought over 1 million visitors to the region, who supported roughly $38 million in economic activity in 2011. Visitors spend money in our stores. They rent our vacation homes. They eat in our restaurants. They fish and kayak in our river. The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality and USDA's Farm Service Agency owe it to the people of Arkansas and to the residents who depend on this river to show the true impacts of this factory farm through an open and transparent process. We’re calling on Cargill, ADEQ and the federal government to make this right.”
May 4-12 will be observed as Travel and Tourism Week in Jasper and Newton County by order of a proclamation signed by Jasper Mayor Shane Kilgore and Newton County Judge Warren Campbell.
The proclamations were presented to the elected officials for signatures last week by Newton County Chamber of Commerce President Nancy Atkinson and Vice President/Tourism Director Donnie Crain.
The Proclamation states:
Travel matters to the nation’s economic prosperity and its image abroad.
For business and other interests, travel to and within the United States generated $1.9 trillion in economic output in 2011, with $813 billion spent directly by travelers that spurred an additional $1.1 trillion in other industries.
Travel is among the largest private-sector employers in the United States, supporting 14.4 million jobs in 2011. Of those jobs, 7.5 million were in the travel industry and 6.9 million in other industries.
Travelers spending generated $124 billion in tax revenues for federal, state and local governments.
In Newton County, travelers’ expenditures in 2012 amounted to $11.9 million. The industry employed 138 residents and generated over $1 million in state and local taxes.
The officials agreed that travel is a catalyst that moves the Newton County economy forward and contributes greatly to the excellent quality of life enjoyed by the county’s residents.
Buffalo River Watershed Alliance is a non profit 501(c)(3) organization
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