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C&H applies for two new permits.   First "Science and Songs" a hit.
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Dr Van Brahana speaks on the science of karst and Still On the Hill (Kelly and Donna Mulhollan) make music inspired by the Buffalo River before a standing room only crowd at the Fayetteville Public Library last Wednesday.  You have a chance to catch the show in Eureka Springs and Little Rock (see details below)  Photo by Lin Wellford
C& H has applied for a new permit
 C&H Hog Farm (factory) Inc. has applied for a Regulation 5 permit which is the Arkansas state swine permit. It now has a Reg 6 NPDES general permit overseen by the EPA. Reg 5 permits are permanent. They do not have to be renewed and their swine waste application fields’ soil sampling only has to occur once every five years. Neither permit takes into account the faulting and fracturing of bedrock typical of karst terrains.
The Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission (APC&EC) will hold their monthly meeting 29 April 9:00 A.M.  
Your Buffalo River Watershed Alliance plans to provide information to the commissioners during the public comment portion of the agenda.  An audience of supporters would be welcomed.  The meetings are held at the ADEQ building. 5301 Northshore Drive North Little Rock, AR 72118-5317
Recent Actions by BRWA on behalf of our beautiful watershed.
 
BRWA board members testified before the Joint Legislative Committees on Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development.  The session was long and BRWA’s turn did not come until near the end.  We appreciate those few legislators who stayed to hear from their constituents.
 
In April two ADEQ sponsored public hearings took place in Jasper, Newton County
 
The first dealt with a permit request from EC Farms to apply untreated hog waste obtained from C&H.  This raw sewage would be delivered by truck over winding, narrow, Newton County gravel roads.   BRWA/Coalition Comments

 
The second hearing dealt with the proposed renewal of the Regulation 6 General Permit (ARG590000) which streamlined the permitting system under which C&H is covered and which allowed the current threat to the Buffalo and the wells, springs, air quality and health of the surrounding residents. Click here to read more.
 Click here to read all comments received.
We thank our many supporters who attend these events.  Your presence does make a difference.  We also wish to thank those who gave statements or asked questions.

 
Additional Science and Songs events
If you missed Science and Songs in Fayetteville last week you can attend 26 May at the Unitarian Church 7-9  or 7 June in Little Rock from 6 - 7:30 also at a Unitarian Church.  Check our website as details become available.
Reminder: Deadline for the
First Annual Creative Writing and Photography Competition
May 1.

So enter now!  See details here.
Did you know?
If C&H is allowed to utilize all the spray fields they have requested, its pig waste will impact 24.8% (nearly one quarter) of the Buffalo River Watershed!
 
Illustration of typical karst topography.  We can't know with certainty what lies beneath the sewage lagoons at C&H, but the Electrical Resistivity procedure which we described in our February newsletter has produced disturbing results. For technical report click here.
What you can do now:
Call or write the governor and express your concern about the huge amount of waste that will be spread throughout Newton County. Tell the Governor that ADEQ is not doing its job-BIG CREEK should be listed as impaired. Finally, tell him we love our Buffalo River and want it to be clean and beautiful for future generations to enjoy.
Governor Asa Hutchinson
State Capitol Room 250
500 Woodlane Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 682-2345
Or to send a message to the Governor's Policy Advisor
Tori Gordon 501-683-6432
tori.gordon@governor.arkansas.gov

 
Please go to DONATE now to contribute and become a part of our campaign.
If you would rather send a check, please make it payable to “Buffalo River Watershed Alliance” and mail to:
Buffalo River Watershed Alliance
Box 101
Jasper, AR 72641.

Thank you for your continued support.
 
Buffalo River Watershed Alliance
 
Copyright © 2016 Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, All rights reserved.


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