Group wants to revive livestock distance debate

Advocates say the law is needed to protect Iowans from contaminated water and foul odors, and they're going door-to-door to pressure lawmakers to resuscitate the bill.

Opponents said the measure would essentially prohibit growth in the livestock industry and hurt ethanol producers, who sell corn byproducts to livestock operations.

"I think if we do anything to really hinder or hamper the livestock industry in the state, we're going to fall by the wayside regarding the ethanol and other biorenewables," said Rep. Dwayne Alons, R-Hull, a member of the House Environmental Protection Committee.

The group backing the idea, Environment Iowa, wants to build a citizen-led movement to demand the change.

"Civic engagement starts at the door," said Kathleen Cogan, assistant canvassing director.

Brad Anderson, a spokesman for Chet Culver, said the governor will meet with both sides in the debate before the next legislative session.

A bill that would have placed minimum distance requirements for new or expanded livestock operations failed to reach the House or Senate for debate. Rep. Mark Kuhn, D-Charles City, a main sponsor of the bill, said he would push for the legislation again next year.

"It's an issue we need to resolve," he said. "The balance is still tipped in favor of the confinement operators, and I believe we need to balance that and give more rights to the neighbors and people who live nearby."

Dave Struthers, a farmer in Collins, has about 9,000 hogs on his family's farm. He said the legislation could run him and other farmers out of business. He also said livestock farmers are unfairly blamed for high nitrogen and phosphorus levels, which can also occur naturally.

"We don't want to pollute the water or air any worse than anybody else does because our families are out there in it," he said.