Checklist for Confronting a CAFO

C H E C K L I S T F O R C O N F R O N T I N G A C A F O: From the GRACE Family Farm Project

___ 1. Read the entire Confronting a CAFO Guide.

___ 2. Read through the most appropriate reports and studies located in the Educate Yourself section.

___ 3. Host a public informational meeting.

___ 4. Host an organizational meeting.

___ 5. Organize a group and finalize a name.

___ 6. Assign duties.
Spokesperson __________________________________________________

Press and media liaison __________________________________________

Officers (Treasurer, Secretary, etc.) _________________________________

Coordinators ___________________________________________________

Researchers ____________________________________________________

Facility Liaisons ________________________________________________

___ 7. Communications and Outreach
Develop a petition
Build coalitions
Create a flier or brochure
Establish your own listserv
Create a web site
Set up meetings with local officials
Submit letters of concern to county officials
Collect testimonials

___ 8. Taking Care of Business
Determine a regular meeting time
Determine incorporation or nonprofit status
Set up a system to keep accurate records
Develop a system to handle finances and expenses

___ 9. Gather Information – Essential Steps
Have land appraised
Perform water quality tests
Perform air quality tests
Send letter through an attorney to owner/operator

___ 10. Gather Information – Where to Look
County Recorder of Deeds
Local County Government/Township Zoning office, including Planning and Zoning Boards and Zoning Commissioners
Local, regional and/or state health departments
Department of Environmental Conservation
Department of Economic Development (exemptions, tax credits, enterprise zones, etc.)
Regional Soil and Conservation Service
New York State State Department of Agriculture
State Constitution and Bill of Rights (statutes, classification of water and water rights)
Regional United States Geological Service (USGS)
Regional office of Army Corp. of Engineers
Regional office of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Check to see who has the delegated authority to implement the federal programs and permits, i.e., National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. Usually, whatever agency is in charge of the NPDES permitting will be the agency you need to contact for much of the information you are seeking.
National Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
US Security and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Other

___ 11. What to Look For – Logistical and General Information
Proposed Developer
Type of facility (hog, dairy, poultry, etc.)
Number of animals proposed at facility
County and state facility is proposed in
Structure of the local government
Nearest city/town and current population
Location of nearest freeway
Location of nearest railroad
Location of nearest grain elevator
Investigate and list nearby entities that will be affected by the CAFO including all home residences, established businesses, nearby schools, day care centers, nursing homes, churches, and tourism sites including parks, recreational areas, swimming and fishing refuges.
Nearest hospital
Type of waste storage system to be utilized (lagoon pits or holding ponds)
Geology of ground and soil type (including tributaries, streams and rivers, other water bodies and underground water sources)
Discern how dead animals will be handled, i.e., incinerated, composted, or stockpiled and hauled away
Economic development promise
Is the proposed operator promising that the CAFO will bring economic benefits to the area?
What kind of benefits?
Is the proposed operator promising the CAFO will buy local feed, goods, and services?
Crops
Types of crops grown in the area
Will the facility grow crops?
Number of pounds of nitrogen applied to land for their crops?
Other

___ 12. What to Look For – Corporate CAFO Information
Corporation Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) loans or liens
Corporation filings
Loans or funding
Other

___ 13. What to Look For – Local and/or State Regulations
State Statutes and regulations
Local or township resolutions
Local ordinances and restrictions
Zoning ordinances and restrictions
Minimum distance requirements
Zoning commission
Other land use bylaws
Propose legislation
Health ordinances
Other

___ 14. What to Look For – Construction Plans and Permit Applications
Record search
Land surveys of proposed facility by NRCS or USGS
Applications or approvals for land disturbance permits
Letters of Approval (LOA)
Any general permits or operating permits (including NPDES)
Discretionary or permitted use
Other

___ 15. What to Look For – Nutrient (Manure) Management Plans
Operator certification for waste management
Structure of lagoons
Land available for spreading of manure
If the application is for a certain number of animal units
Land location of manure application or stockpile areas
Manure-spreading contracts or agreements - duration and who is responsible
If lands are suitable for manure application
How will manure be applied
How the manure will be transported
How often manure will be applied to the land and at what rate
Designated wetlands
Abandoned/uncapped wells, sinkholes or mining sites
Other

___ 16. What to Look For- Water Permits
Information regarding aquifer and sensitive areas
Identify all surface waters near manure application sites
Proposed water usage from your water supply
Where they plan to obtain water
A water license (if required)
Other

___ 17. What to Look For – Clean Water Act
NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Program
Water quality
Impaired water bodies
Citizen suits
Other

___ 18. What to Look For – Clean Air Act
Federal Clean Air Act
Local/state clean air regulations
State Implementation Plan
National permit
Hydrogen sulfide
Other

___ 19. When the Going Gets Tough
Pros and cons of lawsuits
Researching nuisance suits
SLAPP suits

___ 20. Press and Media
Educate yourself on press and media

___ 21. Fundraising
Determine types of fundraising to undertake
Submit proposals for grants

___ 22. Next Steps
Educate yourself and your community on sustainable solutions to factory f