Over 100 persons gathered at the First Baptist Church in Chillicothe on Saturday evening, Feb. 22, for a public meeting to learn about a proposed Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation being proposed near the Poosey Conservation Area in northern Livingston County.
According to a news release provided by Susan Fair of Poosey Neighbors United, the group discussed attempts to make changes or abolish the current local health ordinance regulating CAFO operations. A panel of local farmers, former county commissioners and CAFO/local control experts discussed the proposed CAFO operation and the effects on neighboring property values, air, water, roads and quality of life in the county.
Bert Wire, who lives near the site, expressed concerns about possible changes to the Livingston County health ordinance, stating any changes would weaken the law and would put his family’s health, property value and quality of life at serious risk. He said he believes abolishing the ordinance would allow more CAFO operations to locate in the county.
The current health ordinance has been in place for over two decades. Eva Horton, a former Livingston County commissioner who helped develop the current county health ordinance, told the group that the commission took a “balanced approach” when writing the law to suppplement areas where Department of Natural Resources standards did not protect the county while not eliminating the location of CAFO operations in the county.
According to the news release, a petition has been signed by Livingston County residents, calling on the commission to leave the current health ordinance in place. Residents are also being asked to contact members of the county commission and express their concerns.
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