Becky Gillette – As evidence of environmental contamination leading to human and animal health problems mounts, local opponents of the C&H 6,500-head hog factory in the Buffalo National River (BNR) watershed are fed up with the failure of state and federal regulatory agencies, and Gov. Asa Hutchinson, to act to protect people, animals and $57-million in annual tourism revenues from pathogens contained in hog waste in lagoons and spray fields.
On May 26 the Buffalo River Watershed Alliance (BRWA), the National Parks Conservation Association and other allies held a meeting in Eureka Springs to report on the increasing evidence about how the hog factory that employs only seven people is threatening the health of wildlife, area residents and the 1.4 million annual visitors to the BNR.
Geologist Dr. Van Brahana, who heads up a non-profit research project to access and document the water quality impacts of the hog factory, said studies have shown that groundwater in the area can move a 1,000 ft. or more per day. The flow is fast, contamination is easy and the flow direction is difficult to predict.
BRWA and other allies challenged an environmental assessment by federal agencies that found no significant environmental impacts from the facility. The feds approved loan guarantees for the hog factory that produces as much waste as a city of 35,000 people. BRWA and its allies challenged the EA, and a federal judge required the agencies to review that assessment. In that review, the agencies found that, “There is no evidence of karst.” Brahana showed photos of the caves, sinkholes, rock formations and mapping that clearly prove the area is riddled with Swiss cheese-like rock formations that are distinct characteristics of karst.
Opponents find it shocking the federal agencies could deny a known fact that the area’s geology easily allows ground contamination to impact underground water supplies that can surface later in the Buffalo National River and its tributaries. The waste could expose birds, fish and humans to dangerous levels of e. coli bacteria and spread nutrient pollution that can lead to oxygen deprivation, algae blooms, fish kills and other problems related to degraded water quality.
Brahana said concerns about health of animals and humans is increasing.
“There are multiple cases of illnesses,” Brahana said. “But all our work is for naught. They are ignoring us. What the heck is going on? Politics has run amok. We have had a huge blowback from big ag. The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality is not doing its job. It is up to us to do something about it. Getting rich by contaminating your neighbor’s environment needs to quit.”
Dane Schumacher, legal chair of the BRWA board of directors, said opponents have been disappointed that numerous letters and petitions to the governor, ADEQ, lawsuits, and major public advocacy campaigns have not been successful in stopping the hog waste problems.
“We are parked now,” Schumacher said. “We have tried every option to get ADEQ to respond.”
There is also now growing concerns that electric resistivity studies have indicated there may be significant fracture and leakage underneath hog waste lagoons in the area. But a state-funded research group dominated by pro big agriculture representatives has refused to drill underneath the lagoons to assess if they are leaking. The BRWA opposes installation of liners for the lagoons until drilling is done.
While the primary concern is water contamination, air pollution is also a significant factor, Brahana said. Hog waste can be smelled for miles away, which also impacts the experience of visitors to the area.
Schumacher said concerns are growing because the C&H hog factory is now in the process of applying for a Reg. 5 permit that, if approved, would be permanent. The factory is also applying to extensively increase the number of acres where hog waste can be sprayed.
Members of the audience, some of whom were visibly angry and outraged at the degradation of what they consider a national treasure, questioned what else could be done since the “playing nice” strategies so far have failed to bear fruit.
“We are looking at every possible avenue,” Schumacher said, indicating the civil nuisance lawsuits are underway by people who believe their health and property values have been harmed by the hog waste.
Pat Costner, a retired Greenpeace scientist, said that not just area residents, but the health and welfareof all visitors to the BNR are threatened by hog waste.
“I think the BRWA and the other organizations focusing on protecting the Buffalo have done an outstanding job giving this issue a high profile,” Costner said. “They have had excellent legal strategies. But it is also clear that neither ADEQ nor the governor’s office nor the regional EPA office have been responsible or responsive. It was obvious there were breaches of regulations by ADEQ, and the governor and the EPA regional office are next line to be called out.”
Costner and others said nothing short of a massive public protest could right the situation. Occupying the state capital was discussed.
Dr. Luis Contreras expressed frustration at the lack of progress, and said efforts should be focused on getting people to stop eating pork. Others spoke of a campaign to get Wal-Mart to stop selling factory-produced pork. But another member of the audience questioned how boycotting pork would work when the U.S. is exporting a lot of pork to China.
Earlier the BRWA had a letter writing campaign to the big multinational company that was under contract to purchase pork from C&H. But Schumacher said the facility is no longer under Cargill, and is now owned by a Brazilian company.
To take action including opposing the facility new permit application, Schumacher directed people to the website for the BRNA http://www.buffaloriveralliance.org/.