After 13 years, large-scale swine farms are banned — permanently — within the Buffalo River watershed, ending a saga that started when Arkansas environmental regulators quietly approved a general water permit for C&H Hog Farms in 2012.
The Arkansas Legislative Council reviewed and approved the regulations containing the so-called permit moratorium during its Friday meeting without discussion. It marked the culmination of over a decade of efforts from environmental advocates and their allies to prevent a similar large-scale swine farm, known as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) from taking root in the watershed. The moratorium specifically applies to medium and large swine CAFOs that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s definition.
If I’m understanding, this is a good thing?
Did protect the buffalo actually win something?
1 - Yes, it permanently (for now ; ) bans (pig) CAFOs in the Buffalo watershed that can contaminate the river.
2 - Sounds like it.
Though there still some worries. One (for me) is the ephemeral nature of “permanent bans” when somebody waves enough money around. Another is outlined in another article (link below the quote) :
Despite the victory for Buffalo River advocates, environmental groups expressed concern over broader changes adopted alongside the moratorium. The new rules ease public notification requirements for similar permit applications elsewhere in Arkansas. Under the changes, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture will no longer require legal notices in newspapers or direct notifications to local leaders; instead, permit announcements will be posted only on the department’s website, and public hearings will be optional.
