A letter of introduction
Poweshiek CARES 2013-03-15
Summary:
John Sherman has drafted a letter of introduction to head the packet that we distributed to legislators on January 15. Here's the body of the letter:
Poweshiek CARES is Community Action to Restore Environmental Stewardship.
CARES grew out of concern for economic and environmental changes that are occurring in Poweshiek County, Iowa. More than 150 community members held a series of meetings in 2012 to address the immediate and impending damage to air and water quality that is threatening the health, economy and quality of life of community members.
We support Environmental Stewardship that is sustainable; that protects the land, water and air; that maintains environmental quality and diversity for generations to come. Agriculture is the life blood of Iowa's economy and quality of life.
In Iowa, 80,000+ Family farms' hog production of 40 years ago was about 17 million hogs annually. Today 8,000+ farms and Concentrated Animal Feed Operations (CAFOs) produce about 18 million hogs.
A 2010 EPA Summary Report of Water Quality for Iowa Rivers and Streams shows an assessment of 14% of the 71,665 miles. 24% were Good and 76% percent were Impaired. That alone indicates that Iowa has a clean water problem. Relaxing regulations for industrial agribusiness makes matters worse.
These changes in agricultural practices with the entry of CAFOs has increased air, water and soil pollution, reduced the number of farms and farmers and is changing our economy from one that generates real community wealth to one that extracts wealth for benefit of a few absent owners. It is an example of agribusinesses maximizing profit and minimizing the risk at the expense of community.
There are systems for managing manure that reduce pathogens and toxins and prevent pollution of the air, water and soil. For generations family farms used healthy, inexpensive natural methods. There are toxic control systems available for CAFOs and we insist that they be required.
Put environmental protections in place to stop the destructive extractive practices and to support those farms that generate real wealth for our communities and state.