County Regional Environmental
Evaluation KO-Alition
NEWS ITEMS - April 2005

Sinkhole drains retention pond at factory farm
RORY SCHULER, Staff Writer, Lebanon Daily News, April 13, 2005

The state Department of Environmental Protection is investigating the possible contamination of groundwater in South Annville Township, where residents get their water from private wells, after a sinkhole drained a retention pond at a poultry farm.

"Two million gallons of wash, probably high in bacteria and nitrogen, (funneled) through a 4-by-4 (feet) hole that just opened up like a bathtub drain," said Sandy Roderick, community relations coordinator for DEP's southcentral region. "It's definitely not what we would want in the groundwater."
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April 19, 2005

Manitoba's 'Conceptual' Plan to Regulate Phosphorous won't
Reduce Nutrient Build-up in Lake Winnipeg

While the Manitoba government has endorsed the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board's interim recommendation to regulate phosphorous (P), and in particular, phosphorous from livestock manure, early indications suggest that the excessive over-application of phosphorous will continue to be accepted as a 'normal' farming practice.
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A message from CREEK's new chair

On 31 January 2005, I assumed the chair of CREEK. Having been the co-founder of this group in 2000, I am still very concerned about the problems surrounding our Hog Operation In Cressy. At the present time Source Water Protection is a major concern and a new source water primer has been produced. It can be accessed through <http://www.pollutionprobe.org/Publications/Primers.htm>

We must continue to be diligent about our environmental problems in PEC, not only livestock operations, but coal burning factories, clear cutting of our swamp areas, dumping of possible contaminated waste. We were meant to be stewards of our earth, not destructors of it. Please help in any way you can to protect our environment, it is important to everyone.

Doris Lane
Chair of CREEK

ANIMAL WELFARE GROUP SLAMS CFIA OVER AVIAN FLU CULL; DESPITE INDICATION THAT ; HUMANE METHODS WEREN'T FOLLOWED, CFIA HAS FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM
JIM ROMAHN, ONTARIO FARMER STAFF ,Ontario Farmer, 29 March 2005

British Columbia's birds were killed by inhumane methods, the Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals based here says in an open letter to federal Agriculture Minister Andy Mitchell.

What really angers the coalition is the self-assessment report from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that indicates there were no problems with the slaughter. It is calling for a public inquiry.
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'Smart regulation' seen as weakening standards
DENNIS BUECKERT March 27, 2005

OTTAWA (CP) - Ottawa's newly launched "smart regulation" initiative will lead to a loss of sovereignty and widespread adoption of U.S. standards for food, drug and environmental safety, critics say.

The smart regulation program revealed by Treasury Board President Reg Alcock last week has received relatively little debate, perhaps because it is so technical, but critics say it has far-reaching implications.
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HARRISBURG, Pa., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- PA Governor Edward G. Rendell today was pleased with the state Supreme Court's decision to uphold a veto of House Bill 1222. The Governor vetoed the bill on December 31, 2003 because the proposed legislation did not represent the best interests of the state's residents, particularly in the agricultural community.
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Stephen R. Burkholder wants to run a more efficient hog farm and says he needs bigger buildings to do it. But Richmond Township officials believe the changes Burkholder has in mind would violate zoning regulations and subject neighbors to bad odors.

In 2003, the township zoning board denied Burkholder's request for relief from a setback requirement a mandate that his farm buildings be set back at least 1,500 feet from adjoining properties. Burkholder has appealed that ruling to Berks County Court.
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