By Don Corrigan
Story follow up from the top stories of 2023.
Growing citizen opposition to dumping animal waste into rivers and streams has prompted a Missouri meatpacker to back off from a request to dump animal wastewater into rivers and streams that already are impaired.
According to an article in Missouri Independent, Missouri Prime Beef Packers is backing off from its request to discharge wastewater from its operations into the Pomme de Terre River.
Allison Kite, reporter for the Missouri Independent, attempted to reach the beef packers company for comment about its decision, but did not receive a response. State regulators had indicated that they would deny a discharge permit, according to Kite.
Southwest Missouri newspapers have reported increasing citizen opposition to plans by companies to discharge animal waste products in Ozark streams and rivers.
In addition to overpowering smells, some dumping also impairs waterways that are used for recreation purposes. Possible E. coli contamination from dumping inhibits swimming, canoeing and fishing in the waterways.
As EE reported earlier this month, rural Missourians are sometimes accused of putting up with anything in the interest of agriculture and commerce.
Conservationists counter that commerce can ultimately be hurt by laissez-faire attitudes toward use of water resources. Missouri increasingly relies on water-related recreation and tourism as part the state economy.
In 2022 and 2023, Missourians indicated at public hearings that they had had enough of meat companies discharging animal wastewater in rivers and streams adjacent to their homes.
They also protested against expansion of CAFOs and the odors emanating from concentrated animal feeding operations. The fight will go on in 2024 and will become election issues in some rural locales later this year.
Environmental Echo 