The public has through April 6 to submit comments regarding the operation of a commercial hog operation six miles upstream of Buffalo National River/NPS
The state of Arkansas is accepting through April 6 public comments regarding a new permit for an industrial hog farm located upstream of Buffalo National River.
The C&H Hog Farms, Inc., operation at Mount Judea is located along Big Creek about six miles upstream of the national river. Under a contract with Cargill, Inc., an international agricultural and food conglomerate, C&H confines approximately 6,500 pigs at a time, making the operation the first of its size and scale in the Buffalo River watershed.
Though it has been operating since 2013 under a general National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, the company is now seeking a change in its permit to one that presumes there will be no waste discharges from the property.
The hog farm is located in a region of karst geology, which is is composed of easily dissolved rocks, such as limestone and dolomite. Via sinkholes and underground caves in the geology, groundwater can flow miles very quickly. In the National Park System, karst geology is perhaps mostly visibly connected to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, but it can also be found along the Buffalo National River and at Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Missouri.
Keeping pollutants out of this geology is particularly important for the Buffalo National River, as its boundaries encompass just 11 percent of the Buffalo River watershed. The C&H Hog Farms' "concentrated animal feeding operation," or CAFO, generates an "estimated nitrogen output ... equivalent to a human population of 7,000, and the phosphorus output is equivalent to 23,000 humans, in a watershed with a total human population of approximately 17,000."
So far, according to the National Parks Conservation Association, more than 14,000 comments have been submitted to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality asking that the new permit be denied.
ADEQ’s contact person for submitting written comments, requesting information regarding the draft permit, or obtaining a copy of the permit and the Statement of Basis is Katherine McWilliams, at 5301 Northshore Drive, North Little Rock, Arkansas 72118-5317, 501-682-0650, or at [email protected].
In 2012, the state granted C&H a permit for this facility without allowing adequate public input or consultation from the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or local communities. The state permit expired on October 31, 2016. Now, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and the ADEQ "have an opportunity to protect America’s first national river by denying the company’s application for a permit 5264-W, which seeks to allow C&H to continue spreading hog waste in this fragile ecosystem," NPCA said.
The feedlot has generated a lot of controversy among environmental groups because of the potential threat it poses to the Buffalo National River. Last fall, water testing in Big Creek downstream of C&H by the Big Creek Research and Extension Team found higher levels of nitrate, total nitrogen, total coliform bacteria, chloride, specific conductance, alkalinity, and total dissolved solids than water samples taken upstream of the farm.
While state testing in 2014 found state limits for E. coli were exceeded both upstream and downstream of the farm, in 2015, higher levels were detected only in the upstream samples.
A lengthy report by the director of the U.S. Geological Survey's Wyoming Water Science Center on these tests and water quality impacts to the national river offered nearly a dozen recommendations, including one for dye tracing studies around the pig feedlot in a bid to determine how surface water enters the surrounding karst topography and show where it exits.
“This is our last chance to protect the Buffalo National River, our country’s first national river and a beloved national park, which belongs to all Americans. Allowing C&H to continue spreading millions of gallons of waste in the Buffalo’s watershed could do irreparable damage to the regional tourism economy and threatens local drinking water,” said Emily Jones, NPCA's senior program manager for the Southeast Region. “Along with thousands of our members and supporters in Arkansas and across the country, NPCA urges Governor Hutchinson to protect this precious resource and keep the Buffalo safe for people to swim, fish, and float.”
The Buffalo National River offers recreational opportunities along 135 miles of free-flowing river, and is a major economic driver for the region. The river welcomed more than 1.7 million visitors in 2016, pumping millions of dollars into nearby communities and supporting local jobs.
Comments
I have questions about the long term effects of this farm's operations. We are already experiencing detrimental issues with the farm and the lack of strict regulation it has been blessed with thus far. What has been done to prepare for inevitable issues stemming from this ghastly operation in say 5 or 10 years. What pollution abatement policies and procedures have been put in place? What type of clean-up and filtration system will be installed to keep the drinking water clean and uncontaminated. What tools are they using to project future issues caused by the farm. How will the farm be held accountable now and in the future for damages caused by their operation. This is not just a NOW problem, this is an issue we will continue to battle for years to come. The quicker we put an end to the mostly free reign the farm has had up until now, the less years we will spend trying to reverse our human error. This is our opportunity to stand up and protect the environment and ecosystem that so many humans and animals depend on. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'd gladly give up bacon for clean drinking water, a healthy life, and many more unspoiled camping and hiking trips to the heart and the most precious gem of Arkansas.
we moved here in 1975 because of the beautiful Buffalo River. PLEASE don't let it be destroyed by a hog farm that was literally snuck in the back door.
I have lived in this beautiful spot for only 5 years, it is a safe harbor for wildlife, you call this the Natural State, there is nothing natural about 6,500 hogs confined to such a small area in such a critical spot. This is the head waters of many watersheds. We are the source of the clean water, please save this pristine wilderness for the generations to come. Take a stand for the true treasure and resource... you took this job presumably to protect and defend this beautiful place. Please do a good job and deny this request. Keep it clean and keep it green, Please?
The first battle for the Buffalo National River began in the '60's. Just as today, it took time for awareness of the threat to this jewel of nature that flows in the Ozarks of Arkansas.. Before it was over the battle of the Buffalo in the 60's was joined by the Governor of Arkansas, US Senators, Congressmen, and Supreme Court Justices. These visionaries, who came to experience the Buffalo for themselves, believed its unique beauty, attributes and commercial value was worth the protection of the United States government and the State of Arkansas then. In the 21st century the visionaries of our time need to stand up again and fight for this jewel of Arkansas. To be clear, this fight is not a choice between our support for the small farmers of Arkansas and protecting the Buffalo river. These two groups have co-existed for hundreds of years. This is about relocating a factory, that employs less than a dozen people, to a different location more suitable to its untreated animal discharge.
I appeal to Governor Hutchison and Arkansas United States Senators and Congressman to step up to the plate and fight for the Buffalo and Arkansas small farmers as our former elected officials did in the 20th century.
Cancel this CAFO permit.
Sincerely,
Debbie Alexy
Fayetteville, Arkansas
PLEASE, DENY this permit because of all of the out of state families who helped fight for this BEAUTIFUL river, so many years ago, to not be dammed up, but to become a national river instead ! Deny it because this river is some place that generations of those same families STILL come and bring thier children to enjoy this piece of Heaven that God has given to your state !!!
Governor Asa Hutchinson....in the past you have stated that in your opinion the "wildlife, beautiful landscapes and rich culture" of the Buffalo National River must be managed and cared for by the Natonal Park Service. Well right now the Natioanl Park Service along with thousands of your constituents of Arkansas are asking you to listen to what the National Park Service is saying regarding ADEQ issuing a permit for a large CAFO with thousands of hogs in the middle of our Nation's first National River. Governor, you must stop Arkansas' most beautiful place from being ruined....once this happens it cannot be reversed.
This is a travesty that can be corrected if action is taken now. The ADEQ is not protecting our environment as their title implies. Please, Gov. Hutchinson, take control and do the right thing for Arkansas and for the Buffalo River before it is too late. We moved to this area because of a pristine river. Will we have to move again to find one?
Please close this hog farm. It will pollute the river.