To the editor,

Protecting public health and safety is job number one for local governmental bodies. In fact, WI Stat § 61.34 makes it pretty clear – towns with village powers “shall have power to act for the government and good order of the village, for its commercial benefit and for the health, safety, welfare and convenience of the public.” And that’s why I applaud the Maiden Rock Town Board and Commission on Industrial Agriculture’s decision to draft and pass an Operations Ordinance.

The Operations Ordinance makes it so, if a large livestock facility with at least 1,000 animal units wants to move in or expand, there is an open process in which owners develop plans that address community concerns about manure, air pollution, water usage, carcass disposal, biosecurity, fire protection and road damage. Further, CAFOs pay the costs for the town to use experts to review and enforce the plans.

These plans are designed to ensure that the health and safety of the Town of Maiden Rock’s residents are protected from an industry that has a history of polluting air, fouling water, spreading disease, creating traffic hazards, and ruining our roads. The recent and alarming increase in H5N1 (Avian Bird Flu) across our country is an example of why a biosecurity plan is critical for people living near or working in a CAFO. H5N1 outbreaks have been reported in dairy, poultry, and hog CAFOs and while human infection is still relatively rare, the fact that it’s crossed species is concerning.

We deserve to have assurances that industrial animal operations in the Town of Maiden Rock understand the risks they present to our well-being and that plans are developed to mitigate these risks. It’s not too much to ask and thankfully, the Operations Ordinance creates a transparent process where we can get concerns addressed.

Samantha Bowen

Elmwood