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A spokeswoman for the Indiana Department of Environmental Management was being earnest this week when she said the agency was committed to ensuring farms meet all legal and technical requirements. The problem, and it’s a big one, is that the only regulations IDEM enforces concerning animal feeding operations are federally required water permits governing pollution.
The state, in the process of massive expansion of pork production, needs to play regulatory catch-up on the issue of large-scale animal feeding operations. Gov. Mitch Daniels should have ensured the needed environmental and planning protections were in place before he pushed for doubling pork production in Indiana.
The proposed 4,000-hog farm close to New Haven is a good example of the problem of balancing agricultural economic development within the state while protecting neighboring property owners and public health interests. The plans for that farm are voluntarily on hold while the farmer, Doug Bradtmueller, works with neighbors to address their concerns about manure management at the farm.
Even the most vocal neighbors opposing the proposed hog farm can’t say enough complimentary things about Bradtmueller and their belief he will manage the farm well and act in good faith toward his neighbors. But their concern, and it is valid, is that state environmental oversight of farms amounts to nothing more than a rubber stamp that could endanger rural communities.
Concentrated animal feeding operations are capable of more efficient land use, protecting animals from diseases and predators, as well as improved earning potential for farmers when they are well managed. But the potential for environmental damage escalates as the livestock numbers increase. Animals produce manure. Some manure is a valuable fertilizer; large quantities create the potential for pollution that can contaminate drinking water and endanger public health.
Most farmers, including those running large-scale industrial agricultural operations, want to be good stewards and good neighbors. But some regulations are needed to give communities tools to protect property values, public health and the environment in the few instances when a farmer isn’t demonstrating a willingness to protect the community.
There are no state regulations for air quality, odor, traffic, appropriate zoning or land use for animal feeding operations. Guidelines are needed at both the state and local level. IDEM should have more authority to protect against environmental threats, and local governments need the ability to ensure large-scale farms locate in areas where they are an asset and not a threat.
