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Homeowners south of New Haven expected by now to share their rural neighborhood with 4,000 hogs.
That hasn’t happened – yet.
A proposed confined-feeding operation less than six miles from New Haven would have been among the county’s largest. But plans for the farm are on voluntary hold as attorneys representing the farmer and neighbors haggle over how the farm will be managed.
The situation has made activists of the formerly unaware neighbors, in particular a father and daughter who are among the most vocal opponents.
On Aug. 15, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management approved an application by Doug Bradtmueller of 12102 Rohrbach Road to construct a building that would hold up to 4,000 hogs. Manure would be collected beneath the building in a concrete pit.
A concentrated animal feeding operation, or CAFO, involves raising hundreds to thousands of cows, pigs or chickens in environmentally controlled housing.
Supporters say concentrated feeding operations conserve land, protect animals from some predators and potential diseases and are more labor-efficient. Detractors say the waste produced by such a concentration of animals can create environmental hazards.
Charles Critchley and his daughter, Kim Linker, live in neighboring homes on Franke Road about a half-mile from the proposed site.
They appealed Bradtmueller’s application, and the issue went to the state Office of Environmental Adjudication. Bradtmueller voluntarily agreed not to begin construction while the appeal is pending.
Bradtmueller, who declined to comment for stories in August, did not return a message requesting comment this week. His attorney, Dan McInerny, of Bose McKinney Evans in Indianapolis, said Bradtmueller will continue working toward an amicable agreement with the neighbors.
And Critchley believes the farmer’s efforts have been in good faith.
"He’s been very serious about trying to satisfy some of our concerns," Critchley said.
IDEM doesn’t regulate odors, traffic, zoning or land-use issues when it comes to concentrated animal feeding operations. Because manure collection systems on mega-farms can result in spills or runoffs that pollute surface or groundwater, the federal government requires IDEM to issue federal water permits for such farms.
The agreement being negotiated for Bradtmueller’s operation includes provisions for testing air quality and private wells on Bradtmueller’s and adjacent properties – beyond what’s required by law.
The experience has motivated Critchley to activism. He headed an effort to collect about five dozen signatures to attach to proposed legislation that failed at the Statehouse this spring.
But he has focused his efforts at the county level. He and his daughter are making recommendations to the county’s zoning board.
The advisory committee will address whether concentrated animal feeding operations should be near residences. Critchley and Linker want those types of farms to have separate zoning classifications beyond regular agricultural zoning that would protect property owners near the large farms.
Despite the stay, the experience has left both disappointed in the way the state handles applications for such farms, especially hog farms. They wonder why it’s been them – and not the Indiana Department of Environmental Management or some other governmental agency – writing regulations related to the farm’s operation.
The Department of Agriculture cites a goal of doubling hog production in the state; in 2006, permits for all types of confined feeding operations in Indiana increased by 8 1/2 percent.
Critchley believes the state too easily rubber-stamps such applications and that IDEM doesn’t do enough to regulate the farms, such as requiring testing of wells on property near where manure will be spread as fertilizer.
His attorney, David Van Gilder, said in a state other than Indiana, a government agency might have more of a hand in regulation.
"What that means for citizens like my clients is they’ve got to do the work," Van Gilder said.
IDEM spokeswoman Amy Hartsock said the agency is committed to making sure farms meet all legal and technical requirements. Anything beyond that falls to individual farmers and their neighbors.
Since Bradtmueller made his plans, pork prices have plummeted. Industry experts told The Journal Gazette late last month that pork prices are down about 25 percent from May 2008.
Whether or not Bradtmueller goes forward with his plans, Critchley and Linker said they plan to continue their work with the county. Both said they believe Bradtmueller would do a good job managing his farm and the waste the hogs produce.
"He’s a very conscientious farmer," Linker said. "But there are others who will apply and receive permits and not be conscientious, and accidents happen."
