As residents of Cayuga County, town of Montezuma, we are extremely concerned about the proposed 2,000 head swine concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) in our town. Research from throughout the country has demonstrated the devastating effects of CAFOs:

€ The contamination of rivers, creeks, streams, brooks, ponds, and municipal water can severely harm irreplaceable environmental resources and natural wildlife. A perfect example of the devastation a CAFO can cause is in August of 2005 when 3 million gallons of animal waste spilled into the Black River killing 250,000 fish in western New York.

€ To the ground and surface water due to the intensive concentration of animal waste. The by-products that contain heavy concentration of nitrogen, phosphorus, organic matter solids, pathogens, heavy metal, hormones, antibiotics, and ammonia.

€ The threatened water quality due to the intensive demand for water by livestock consumption and waste removal.

€ The threat of CAFOs to the productivity of farmland due to the intensive concentration of waste application.

€ The risk factors to human health for respiratory diseases from the emissions.

If this CAFO comes to our community or YOUR community, the potential effects can be disastrous.

Dan and Connie Randolph

Montezuma

The Randolphs write on behalf of the Environmentally Concerned Citizens of Montezuma (ECCOM)