Appearing today Omaha World Herald
Note the people of Pottawattamie County  have in past fought against zoning
and note that Hubert Houser is the Republican State Representative for
district 85. Also note that the Iowa Farm Bureau. Does any one else find
something strange about who is complaining about environmental problems.
Glenn Pollock 







                Published Thursday
 
                April 20, 2000 


                Change Is Sought In Hog-Lot Rules 

                BY CHRIS CLAYTON

                WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER


Des Moines - Build several large hog lots near picnic grounds owned by the
family of a state lawmaker, and somebody will most likely raise a stink at
the  State Capitol.
That's what the owners of several hog lots in eastern Pottawattamie County
  are finding out as Rep. Hubert Houser, R-Carson, has petitioned Iowa
environmental     al regulators to create new rules on the way large
confinements function.

The hog lots, a combination of 24 buildings on six sites near Macedonia,
have been a source of controversy since last fall. At least eight buildings
are within several hundred yards of a recreation area owned by Houser's
family.
Houser holds an annual picnic for the Republican Party on the property.
That event often draws state and national party leaders.
Houser wants the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission to adopt new
rules about the manure-management plans that hog-lot operators are required
to file with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for their facilities.
The plans are required to detail how and the manure from a hog lot will be
removed and where it will be taken. Hog-lot operators now don't have to
file such plans with the department until they are ready to get rid of the
manure, which generally is spread across cropland.
Houser said his proposal wouldn't resolve the current situation in
Pottawattamie County unless "this outfit decides to expand." Under Houser's
plan, hog-lot operators would be forced to file manure plans before they
start building
any facilities. Such rules would allow the public to learn about potential
hog lots in their area and to provide some input on the proposed projects.
Houser's petition is endorsed by 15 other state representatives and the
Iowa Farm Bureau, Houser
said.

"This was probably the best way to tackle the problem of public
notification," Houser said.

Residents who live near the Pottawattamie facilities spoke to the County
Board of Supervisors on Monday, asking that officials in the Natural
Resources Department reject permit applications.

Crestland Cooperative in Creston, Iowa, which is the major stakeholder in
the hog operation, says the facilities are sound and should be given the
proper permits.

                                           
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