If only cows just produced milk ...

By Stacy James

Our work to hold the livestock industry to higher environmental performance standards is paying off! This legislative session, a bill (HB5642) was re-introduced to end the industry’s unique exemption from paying fees for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) pollution discharge permits. We initially introduced the bill in 2011 with our environmental partners after we discovered this exemption, but it was strongly opposed by the Farm Bureau and Illinois Pork Producers Association.

This session’s bill represents an agreement between the Illinois EPA and livestock industry, reached after several months of discussions this winter. Eight environmental groups joined Prairie Rivers Network in support of the bill, which passed out of the House Environment & Energy Committee in February. Provided the industry groups do not change their minds, we expect the bill to become law by the end of session. Passage of this bill would end the livestock industry’s unfair exemption from paying NPDES permit fees and provide the IEPA with needed revenue to implement the federal Clean Water Act.

It is important to not only support good bills, but to oppose bad bills. Representative Sacia from north western Illinois introduced a House bill (HB5143) that would make it illegal for people to photograph animal facilities, including livestock operations and irrespective of whether trespassing had occurred.

We believe this is an effort to shield the livestock industry from lawsuits stemming from documented pollution or animal abuse problems. If passed, this bill would prevent Prairie Rivers Network from gathering necessary evidence for filing complaints or civil suits against illegally discharging factory farms. Fortunately, we and many other organizations and citizens rallied against the bill and Representative Sacia wound up tabling it in the face of great public pressure and negative press. These sorts of bills come up regularly, so we need to stay alert and connected to our partners should subsequent action be needed.

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Stream brown with livestock waste from nearby factory farm

BY STACY JAMES

Prairie Rivers Network works with partners across the state to reduce water pollution from factory farms. Livestock waste pollutes Illinois’ water with disease-causing bacteria, antibiotics, ammonia, nitrates and algae blooms. In the most egregious cases, streams turn brown with raw sewage that kills all wildlife inhabitants. Pollution happens when waste storage structures leak or spill, a far too common occurrence that often goes undetected until there is a fish kill. Another way that streams become polluted is when too much manure is applied to farm fields as fertilizer and rain or melting snow carries the waste into nearby streams.

Factory farms are one of the least-regulated sources of pollution. Some regulations exist but they do not require adequately stringent manure management practices. State government is also underfunded to inspect factory farms and prevent problems from happening in the first place.

Consequently, we are seeking changes at the state level that would make a significant impact on Illinois’ rivers. We are focused on strengthening the rules that govern factory farms, and increasing the revenue available to the Illinois EPA for inspections. Fortunately, these efforts are proving fruitful, and we have made new allies along the way.

2 Steps Toward Cleaner Water

After two years of advocating for rule changes that would require more responsible livestock waste management, the Illinois EPA adopted several of our recommendations! The draft rules limit how much manure and liquid waste can be applied to farm fields. Applicators will be prohibited from applying waste close to ditches and other conduits that lead to streams. And the waste storage capacity requirements will be increased, so that overflows and untimely land application are less likely to occur. {Continue Reading »}