The Illinois Department of Agriculture recently approved the construction of a new hog confinement in Adams County north of Quincy. This news is disappointing and potentially life-changing for the residents who live nearby and are opposed to the confinement, which will house almost 5,000 hogs. Neighbors are concerned their quality of life will deteriorate due to bad odors, noise, lower property values, and increased truck traffic. They are also concerned there may be water pollution from the hundreds of thousands of gallons of waste that will be produced annually by D&B Farms.
Prairie Rivers Network knows several of these concerned neighbors because we have been working with them since February. We became aware of the proposed hog confinement when a neighbor contacted our office asking for assistance. We helped the neighbors by briefing them on the state’s livestock regulations and preparing them for the public hearing that occurred in early March.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture approves the construction of dozens of new or expanding factory farms annually. Prairie Rivers Network will work with neighbors to oppose a project when we have serious concerns about the potential for water pollution. We got involved in D&B Farms because it is located in a karst region that is sensitive to groundwater pollution from livestock waste. Waste can contaminate groundwater by being spread on agricultural fields or by seeping out of underground waste storage pits. We argued that D&B Farm’s pit should be constructed to prevent seepage, and it appears that the Department is requiring that this higher standard be met.
We were also concerned that streams bordering the land application fields would become polluted. Land application of waste on agricultural fields is standard practice because the waste is used as fertilizer. Streams can become polluted when rain occurs shortly after application, especially if the waste is applied on top of the soil instead of beneath the surface.
Once we found out that D&B Farms was approved for construction, we informed the neighbors of the land application regulations. As informed neighbors, we hope they will notify the Department of Agriculture if they observe application methods that violate environmental safeguards. Now we want to share some of the key regulatory safeguards so that others may also be informed:
• Waste may not be applied in waterways
• Waste may not be applied within 200 feet of streams and ponds unless they are upgradient or diked
• Waste may not be applied within 150 feet of a potable well
• Waste applied within ¼ mile of a residence not part of the confinement must be injected or incorporated on the day of application
• Waste can be applied on frozen or snow-covered land, but is limited to land with less than 5% slope or where erosion control practices exist
• Waste may not be applied during rain or to a saturated soil
• Conservative application rates must be used if there is a high water table or shallow, fractured bedrock.
In the News:
- Large industrial swine farm approved in Adams County, The Rock River Times May 29-June 4 issue (PDF).
- Illinois Department of Agriculture approves permit for hog confinement near Lima, Quincy Herald Whig, May 29, 2013 (PDF)
- Illinois approves Adams County hog farm, Tri-States Public Radio, June 11, 2013 (PDF)
