Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette

January 12, 2016

NWA LETTERS

Posted: January 12, 2016 at 1 a.m.

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Hog farm assessment raises questions

The latest environmental assessment, or EA, regarding the 6,500-hog factory in the Buffalo River’s watershed generates more questions than answers.

The EA states: “Application of wastes to fields would have no effects to geology. The geotechnical investigation did not encounter karst features beneath the C&H Hog Farm facilities. There would be no direct and indirect impacts to geology since disruption of underlying bedrock would not occur from farm operations.”

No effects to geology? The concern is how the karst terrain coupled with spraying thousands of gallons of untreated hog waste onto fields may effect groundwater. This EA’s statement illustrates a remarkable negligence in understanding the concerns of renowned geologists regarding karst. Karst systems are vulnerable to ground water pollution due to the relatively rapid rate of water flow and the lack of a natural filtration system

The EA’s statement that “geotechnical investigation did not encounter karst features beneath the C&H Hog Farms facilities” is full of holes. The geotechnical investigation is not an actual karst survey. Additionally, Big Creek Research Extension Team, the taxpayer-funded study through the University of Arkansas, is characterized as the “best available science.” It is limited in scope, at best, but even this EA’s “go-to” source employed an Electrical Resistivity Imaging study done by Oklahoma State University. That “possibility of hog manure electrical signatures present on Field 12.”

Big Creek itself is a losing stream, which is a karst feature. Strange this EA disagrees, saying more data is needed. Are we to believe C&H sits in a karst-free bubble when karst geologists and the ERI tests say otherwise?

Impairment of the Buffalo River and its feeding streams occurs over time. Big Creek may already be impaired. The National Park Service has requested our Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to look at data regarding low dissolved oxygen levels. Dissolved oxygen is vital for aquatic animals and plants. Couple that with the Extension Team report of elevated E.coli levels in the house well of C&H and in interceptor trenches around the facility. Does it not make sense that the untreated waste from 6,500 hogs held in open pits and then spread on fields nearby could further impair the quality of the water?

C&H farm has applied to truck untreated hog waste away to other locations miles from C&H but still in the watershed. Why apply if there is not concern about impairment/contamination? This facility should never have been permitted. This so called final EA uses ambiguous language to obscure the facts. If there is inconclusive evidence how can the EA conclude there is no significant impact?

C&H Hog factory and this EA generate too many questions and not enough answers. We, the people, will make the difference as to whether this facility and others like it can proliferate in the watershed of the crown jewel of Arkansas.

The public comment period has been extended to Jan. 29. Written comments will be accepted by mail at: C&H Hog Farms EA, c/o Cardno Inc., 501 Butler Farm Road, Suite H, Hampton, VA 23666; and by email at: CHHog-FarmComments@cardno-gs.com.

GINNY MASULLO

Fayetteville

letters@nwadg.com