Background:
Almost 20 years ago, the Iowa Legislature passed a series of laws that enhanced the ability of farmers to construct Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO). In the intervening time, many facilities have been built around the state of Iowa. While the number of pork producers has decreased, the output of the remaining producers has increased. Iowa is now the nation’s leading state in pork production with a production of approximately 30,000,000 hogs per year. This has resulted in considerable conflict with surrounding residents.
Projected growth indicates that demand for Iowa pork products may increase 20% in the next two years. This could result in up to 1,000 new CAFO facilities. While CAFO production means profit for hog producers and additional income tax revenue for the state, it will also result in additional conflict with local residents if CAFO sites are close to residences.
This document recognizes the goal of producers to construct profitable CAFO operations with minimal conflicts. Conflicts can cost money and time for producers and reduce overall profitability of their operation. While initially most producers were local farmers who lived within close proximity, now many are out-of-state producers. This document also recognizes the need for rural residents to have a comfortable residence with reasonable levels of farm odors and farm-related activities. Most rural residents often have multi-generational ties to their land and are often upset by the construction and management of the CAFO. CAFO construction and residential construction can co-exist.
Essentially, the primary interests affected by CAFO establishment and growth in Iowa are:
- Producers who need more land and sites for CAFO construction
- Residents who want to maintain their quality of life
- The state can benefit from increased income tax from profitable CAFO operation
- The counties can benefit from increased property tax with additional residential construction
These conflicts can be minimized and possibly eliminated. It is appropriate for the current group of legislators to examine the impacts of CAFO construction and to develop incentives for construction that will maximize the profitability of new CAFOs and minimize the impact on established rural land owners and residents.
This brief document will put forth ideas that can accomplish the seemingly contradictory goals of CAFO construction and rural neighborhood compatibility.
This document:
- Does not advocate limiting CAFO construction
- Does not change the matrix formula
- Does not inhibit CAFO growth
- Does not return siting authority to counties
- Does not address CAFO management practices
It does:
- Encourage CAFO sites that minimize impact on rural neighbors
- Allows for CAFO growth
- Suggests incentives for minimal conflict and maximum CAFO growth
- Reduces producer/resident conflicts
- Reflects the reality of rural Iowa in 2012
Rural Iowa is different now than it was in 1995. There is no longer a farmhouse on every 80 acres. While consolidation of farming has been occurring for several decades, the last 20 years has seen rapid consolidation and the removal of many old farm residences. The result has been a slow de-population of traditional rural Iowa.
The countervailing trend in rural Iowa has been the construction of new housing, often upscale housing, along creeks and near timber. Most frequently these small subdivisions have been within an easy commuting distance to many of Iowa’s larger cities or small cities with a strong modern industrial and economic base. In some instances, new subdivisions have been created around the outskirts of small towns that have new industrial activity.
The rural Iowa landscape is different – New CAFO, new residential, and fewer farmsteads. The result of this transformation is that there are now large areas of Iowa with no rural residents. It is within these areas that CAFO construction will have no negative impact on neighbors because there are no neighbors.
It is proposed in this document that there should be two steps to enhance CAFO construction and minimize conflict with rural neighbors.
First Step:
Gather data on rural residences and determine where minimum CAFO construction impact will be.
Second Step:
Create incentives for CAFO construction in low/no impact areas and create dis-incentives where conflict with existing residents will be high.
In the first step, it is proposed that each county be encouraged (not required) to develop a map that shows areas where there are no houses. Map 1 would show a one mile circle around each house; Map 2 would show a 1.5 mile circle around each house; and Map 3 would show a two mile circle around each house. The result would be a calculation of the number of square miles within each county that are more than 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 miles from an existing residence.
At one mile, producers claim there is minimal odor while some residents claim that there is a strong odor. The odor is a function of the management of the facility and the sensitivity of the rural residents and often wind duration and speed. Most producers are conscientious in their management, but some are not.
At 1.5 miles, odors may not be noticed depending on management practices and the local terrain between the residence and the producer.
At 2.0 miles, odors are rarely noticed.
With good data, good decisions can be made on siting new facilities and good public policy can be developed. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has 100% decision making in CAFO siting. State government should take the lead in reducing resident/CAFO conflicts. Working in a partnership with county government and representatives of the hog production industry, state government has the ability to encourage CAFO construction in locations that benefit everyone – producers, residents, counties and state government.
Some counties may be comfortable with the current policies of state government and they should not be required to participate in determining the optimal locations for CAFO construction. They can opt out of the process and continue the current CAFO construction patterns in their counties. For other counties, who decide to participate, the state can provide incentives for construction in those areas that are more than 2.0 miles from a residence.
Incentives:
The state has a wide range of incentives available to encourage CAFO construction in specific areas. These can range from cash grants through Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) to income tax incentives. Like other economic development processes, the state can provide the incentives needed to encourage CAFO construction. This document merely urges that incentives be provided in locations that minimize conflict with neighbors.
As legislators, you are empowered to discuss the CAFO construction with producer trade groups in a positive way that will benefit CAFO owners as well as address the concerns of local residents. You can create incentives that benefit producers and local rural residents.
You can develop an Iowa that is economically strong, that meets the business and residential needs of its citizens. You have the power to redefine the Iowa landscape, to make it a profitable opportunity for investors, while at the same time preserving the quality of life that generations of Iowans have enjoyed.
Recommendation:
Create a map of rural Iowa with areas defined that are more than 1.0; 1.5; and 2.0 from a residence. With good data, good public policy can be developed. After the data is developed, the conversation between legislator, producers, counties, and rural residents can focus on what is best for Iowa and how to achieve it.
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