Industrial scale livestock production is polluting air and water,
decreasing property values, degrading quality of life, and endangering
public health nationwide. If one of these operations has not yet moved
in next to you the chances are very good that somewhere in your state
it has happened to you neighbors, and you could be the next. Unless we
work together, our children will inherit the problems we refuse to address.
We are citizens of DeKalb County Illinois, and have been standing up to
fight the construction of a Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) in
our own backyard. Research has documented links between intensive livestock
operations and health problems among neighbors. A recent report released
from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa has verified decreases in neighbors'
property balues from these operations. Untreated livestock waste is over
1000 times more potent than treated municipal sewage in robbing water
of oxygen necessary to sustain life.
We have legally challenged the construction of an 8,000 head hog facility
proposed to be built within 1/4 to 3/4 of a mile from fifteeen homes by
filing a preemptive nuisance lawsuit against the facility. We are also
in the process of seeking to prove the State of Illinois' permiting process
that allows these facilities to be built is unconstitutional. We are starting
to have success!
A County Circuit Court Judge has issued a temporary injunction against
the CAFO contruction and in doing so, he has opened the door for us to
set a new precedent in fighting this type of environmental and public
health hazard. If we can continue to fight and win in DeKalb County, this
could set a positive legal precedent for those fighting similar operations
in Illinois and across the nation.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! So far it seems we have had the right combination of
resources and timing. We have a group of neighbors willing to work together.
We have been fortunate to find attorneys who are extremely knowledgeable,
aggressive, and are committed to our cause. These attorneys have been
able to secure an impressive group of expert witnesses willing to testify
concerning social and environmental problems created by this type of production.
It seems as though we are on the right track.
Please help us keep our momentum going by sending a contribution to:
Concerned Citizens of Pierce Township
P.O. Box 295
Courtland, IL 60112-9998
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