Feedlot may affect internment monument

Fri., Dec. 8, 2006

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

JEROME, Idaho – The National Park Service is worried about the effects of a feedlot proposed to be built 1 1/2 miles upwind of the Minidoka Internment National Monument, where more than 13,000 Japanese Americans were confined during World War II.

“There are all the impacts: air quality, increase in pests (insects), dust, possible effects on water, waste management, traffic,” monument Superintendent Neil King told the Associated Press on Thursday. “We have to have information to do an analysis.”

Ron McFarland has applied to the Jerome County Commission for permission to build a livestock confinement operation for Big Sky Farms Limited Partnership. The proposed feedlot would hold 18,555 head of cattle.

King said McFarland has not provided enough information about the feedlot.

“Our official position is that the application that is before the commission is incomplete,” King said. “There is not enough information for us to make a determination on how that operation would function. We’re just asking for more information.”

McFarland could not be reached for comment Thursday.

According to a Jerome County ordinance, only those within a mile of the proposed feedlot are allowed to comment to the county commissioners, who will decide Dec. 19 on whether to allow the plan to go forward. Since the national monument is outside that range, King isn’t allowed to testify at the meeting.

King wrote a letter to Art Brown, administrator for Jerome County planning and zoning, that said not allowing King to testify did not serve the general public.

In a written report that was also given to the commissioners, Brown responded: “Once again, this feedlot is going to be over a mile away. (King) never submitted any documentation that would show that this feedlot would compromise the beauty or the historical significance.”

Neighbors within the mile range also have concerns about the feedlot.

“If this goes through, my home will be worthless and unlivable,” said Dean Dimond, whose property is next to the proposed feed-lot. “And you’ll be able to see the feedlot (from the monument), and you’ll be able to smell it.”

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