Stop Le Poultry - Community in need
Donation protected
Members of the Progress Community of Pike County Mississippi are asking you for financial support to help us in our fight to preserve the environmental quality of our community. We face a very real and significant threat to the quality of our air, water, life, and property values.
In November 2017, adjoining property owners to 1159 Pumping Station Road , received a notice of intent from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to construct a dry litter animal feeding operation at the location. This location is a low income, densely populated, rural neighborhood that is predominately minority. According to business application, the dry litter operation would consist of 8 chicken houses that produce 984,000 chickens per year and 2,262 tons (or 4.5 million pounds) of chicken waste per year. Contaminants from poultry litter include ammonia nitrates, pathogens, antibiotics, hormones, and heavy metals. Air pollution from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) have been linked to a variety of respiratory ailments. Odors and pollutant particles can be particularly harmful to children and elderly. In addition to the stench, persons living near CAFOs report a significant increase in flies, rats, and other rodents. CAFOs tend to locate in low-income rural communities because it is believe that these communities will least likely fight back or will not be aware of the dangers to the environment and to health.
The Progress Community presented petitions of some 230 signatures and sent some 350 letters in opposition to constructing a CAFO at this location to MDEQ; yet MDEQ approved the permit application anyway. The community was then instructed by MDEQ to get a lawyer and request an appeal hearing. This is expensive, but we believe that it is a cause worth fighting for. The current projection for legal fees alone is approximately $75,000 - $100,000. Funds are needed immediately to continue legal actions and to prevent the start of construction.
Your donation, large or small, is greatly appreciated. The peaceful and serene land in this community is land primarily left by ancestors and it is a legacy that residents wish to preserve for the enjoyment of current and future generations. We cannot thank you enough. Please help!
In November 2017, adjoining property owners to 1159 Pumping Station Road , received a notice of intent from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to construct a dry litter animal feeding operation at the location. This location is a low income, densely populated, rural neighborhood that is predominately minority. According to business application, the dry litter operation would consist of 8 chicken houses that produce 984,000 chickens per year and 2,262 tons (or 4.5 million pounds) of chicken waste per year. Contaminants from poultry litter include ammonia nitrates, pathogens, antibiotics, hormones, and heavy metals. Air pollution from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) have been linked to a variety of respiratory ailments. Odors and pollutant particles can be particularly harmful to children and elderly. In addition to the stench, persons living near CAFOs report a significant increase in flies, rats, and other rodents. CAFOs tend to locate in low-income rural communities because it is believe that these communities will least likely fight back or will not be aware of the dangers to the environment and to health.
The Progress Community presented petitions of some 230 signatures and sent some 350 letters in opposition to constructing a CAFO at this location to MDEQ; yet MDEQ approved the permit application anyway. The community was then instructed by MDEQ to get a lawyer and request an appeal hearing. This is expensive, but we believe that it is a cause worth fighting for. The current projection for legal fees alone is approximately $75,000 - $100,000. Funds are needed immediately to continue legal actions and to prevent the start of construction.
Your donation, large or small, is greatly appreciated. The peaceful and serene land in this community is land primarily left by ancestors and it is a legacy that residents wish to preserve for the enjoyment of current and future generations. We cannot thank you enough. Please help!
Organizer
Pauline Magee
Organizer
Osyka, MS
