Residents voice concerns over CAFO potentially affecting water quality in Worcester County
Dozens of concerned faces filled the Snow Hill Library meeting room Tuesday as Worcester county residents attended a public meeting held by the Maryland Department of The Environment to discuss concerns over a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation headed to the lower eastern shore.
"Everybody heard this at the last minute. They just found out about it that's why we had to do a major marketing to get people out here," said Ocean Pines resident Tom Janasek.
So far, the MDE has temporarily approved a water discharge permit that would allow the CAFO to potentially discharge its storm water runoff through a pond, which has the potential to affect the Middle Branch and Shingle Landing Prong. Something that is creating serious concern.
"Our goal at the environmental committee of ocean pines is to try and get the St. Martins river clean and keep it clean. For a CAFO to come in on one of our prongs that goes directly into the st martins river is just completely counterproductive to what we're doing and it will just put us back years and years from what we've got," said Janasek.
One by one, concerned residents spoke before the MDE pleading officials to reconsider the permit.
"I'm afraid I am afraid my house is on the river the water is from here to that wall I am afraid of what this chicken farm can do to that water," said one concerned resident.
"I would really like them to revert this permit back to the new regulations. Under the new regulations that were passed a year ago this CAFO would never be able to be built never," said Janasek.
Residents say if the MDE decides to go through with the location of the CAFO and the water discharge permit, they must thoroughly monitor the water quality.
"I would deeply request with this project going forward that there be monthly monitoring of water quality around the site. It's very easy to put wells in and monitor the groundwater and determine that there is no pollution and if there is the project should be shut down immediately," said one Ocean Pines resident.
The Maryland Department of the environment says they will take each and every public comment into consideration regarding the water quality concerns. 47 ABC did attempt to speak with MDE officials at the meeting but they were unable to comment further on the matter at that time.
