New Threat to the Buffalo River

[DeBo]

It has just come to our attention that ADEQ has granted a permit for a new factory hog farm near Big Creek, West of Mt. Judea, (Hwy. intersections 74/123). The hog waste application field is adjacent to Big Creek, a tributary to the Buffalo National River. The permit was granted in August and was not posted in any newspapers for public comment. The purpose of this letter is to ask for your help in getting this permit withdrawn.

We have now been told by ADEQ staff that the facility known as C and H Hog Farm will be situated on 630.7 acres and will house shallow pits able to contain 759,542 gallons of waste, a settling basin with a capacity of 831,193 gallons and a holding pond with a capacity of 1,904,730 gallons. The waste will be spread on pasture land near the creek with only a 100 ft buffer between the application zone and the creek.

Here are some primary concerns that you may use when contacting ADEQ:

In heavy rain events holding ponds can easily overflow and applied waste from fields will run into nearby streams and on into the Buffalo River. When fine organic material from decomposing hog waste (includes feces and urine) run off into the river, it becomes trapped in gravel bars where decomposition continues and produces ammonia and methane which are toxic to mussels and fish. There are two endangered mussels and two endangered fish in the Buffalo at risk. The nutrients from this waste decrease the clarity of water and promote the growth of algae in the summer which has already become a problem for Buffalo River.

We know from experience that as this facility ages and reaches capacity it will become more difficult for it to contain waste. Maintenance efforts become lax while breaches and accidental leaks become more likely. One large spill has the ability to damage the quality of water in the Buffalo River and Big Creek for years as such a spill on the Illinois River did many years ago.

We understand that a landowner has certain rights to develop their own property but we also know that one person’s rights end where another’s begin. The risk is too great that waste from this operation will pollute the waters of the state which belong to all of us. The Buffalo River alone is a powerful economic driver for our state, attracting millions of recreational users who in turn contribute millions of dollars to our economy.

I know we all care about our rivers and many of us spend a lot of time on the Buffalo. Please pass your concerns on to ADEQ. Just a short line in your own words will help. The conservation community has a good working relationship with ADEQ and I know that they will listen to our concerns, so please be respectful.

We believe it is best to not use a “form letter” or “petition” approach. However, if you are as concerned about this issue as we are, then please send a short e-mail that clearly states you believe the permit should be withdrawn, and listing one or more of the specific concerns discussed above, or other concerns that you might have about this permit.

E-mails should include the following three individuals:

Teresa Marks ADEQ Director: (501) 682-0959 Email marks@adeq.state.ar.us
Steve Drown ADEQ Water Division Manager: (501) 682-0655 drown@adeq.state.ar.us
John Bailey ADEQ Engineer P.E. Branch Manager: (501) 682-0629 Email bailey@adeq.state.ar.us

[Eric Esche]

Out of Office: Immediate Withdrawal of the ADEQ permit for C&H Hog Farm Adjacent to Big Creek, a tributary of the Buffalo River.
Drown, Steve to you
From Drown, Steve DROWN@adeq.state.ar.us
To Eric Esche spesche@aol.com
Cc
Bcc

I will be out of the office beginning Monday, Dec 17, 2012 until Monday Jan 7, 2013. Mo Shafii will be the Acting Chief. If you need immediate assistance you may contact Mo at 501-682-0616.


(Would guess that I need to copy Mr. Shafii with the letter I sent to Mr. Drown. -Eric)