HomeMy WebLinkAbout20003001.tiff Our Duty and Challenge
"Provide and Protect"
2000-3001
Table of Contents
1. Letter in opposition to a use by special review for a 4,000-cow dairy. USR —
1289,Dyelands Dairy LLX located on the W Yz of section 5/7/67.
2. A letter to the Weld County Department of Planning Services addressing part
24.4.2.3 of the planning code "That the USES which would be permitted will
be compatible with the existing surroundings land USES".
3. Photograph showing the existing community adjacent to the proposed 4,000-
cow dairy. All residents are opposed except for one family.
4. Photograph showing the existing community adjacent to the proposed 4,000-
cow dairy. This is along Weld County Road 84 between WCR15&17. All
residents in this area are opposed.
5. Axial photograph with arrows showing the drainage from the proposed dairy
site into wetlands, farm ponds and a major irrigation canal.
6. Photograph showing the uncontrolled runoff from irrigation waters. This is
from the proposed cropland, which will be used to apply the manure and
effluent from the holding ponds.
7. Photograph showing the results, of a once clean farm pond, from the runoff a
large confinement feeding operation. This pond is within 3 miles of the
proposed 4,000-cow dairy.
8. A photo of the Kimberling's Wetlands and some of the Wildlife.
Cover: A photograph taken from the Kimberling farm as the sun set over Rocky
Mountain National Park.
October 26, 2000
Barbara J. Kirkmeyer, Chair
M.J. Geile, Pro-Tem
George E. Baxter
Dale K. Hall
Glenn Vaad
Re: USR— 1289
Terrance Dye Dyelands Dairy LLC
Dear Board of County Commissioners
This letter is in opposition to a use by special review allowing a 4,000 cow dairy
operation on properties adjacent to our farm.
Our family has operated a small crop and livestock enterprise since 1968 on land adjacent
to and in the drainage below the property of the proposed 4,000-cow dairy. In 1985 in an
effort to be good and faithful stewards of our small segment of God's universe, we
changed from row crop to grass harvested by sheep. This virtually eliminated the loss of
soil that was being eroded by irrigation and wind. This also complies with the definition
of sustainable agriculture, which is being promoted by the United States Department of
Agriculture. A portion of our farm has been set aside and maintained as wetlands and
wild life habitat. The wetland/wildlife area supports resident Great Blue Herons, a Great
Horned Owl family, a resident hawk family many songbirds, various mammals and
various forms of aquatic life. Conservation of lands and habitat has been a sacred part of
our family heritage. We have been in agriculture our entire lives and thank God each day
for the abundance which American farmers supply to our tables. In these same prayers I
ask for guidance to be a good and honorable steward of our land and the environment.
The issue of a 4,000-cow confinement operation goes far beyond our personal desires of
freedom from offensive dust from dry lot pens and odors generated by huge holding
ponds. The water table ranges from 5-9 feet below the surface, where the settling/holding
ponds are to be built. Unless the settling ponds are completely sealed the nitrogen
produced by the excreta of 4,000 dairy animals will contaminate the underground water.
This shallow water table supplies wells and springs in the area. Some of these springs are
the source of water for our wetlands/wildlife habitat. The wells supply livestock water
for some of the adjacent farms. Once contaminated it will take decades to rid these
contaminates. We all understand the impact of excess nitrates on animals and humans.
Equally important are the phosphates. Nitrogen from manure and holding ponds can be
utilized in corn production. In the comprehensive nutrient management plan page 9, they
indicate, "Dyelands Dairy has enough available land (110) acres to assimilate nutrients
produced in storm water/process wastewater year after year". These figures are based on
irrigated corn production. The property currently owns I share of North Poudre water.
which will irrigate a maximum of 2 acres of corn. If the permit is approved it must be
stipulated that the property own adequate water in order to utilize the amount of nitrogen
being produced by the cattle.
The major concern today with handling manure and wastewater from large dairy
operations is the amount of phosphorus produced. Although the nitrogen can be utilized
by a sufficient amount of irrigated corn there remains an excess of phosphorus.
Phosphorus attaches to soil particles and moves off the land to contaminate water
sources. The excess phosphorous is extremely detrimental to aquatic plant life, which is,
then subject to overgrowth of algae. The enclosed photo shows a neighborhood lake that
was a clear water pond and the family fishing hole. The phosphorous contamination
from a large confinement livestock operation in the area has transformed this once
beautiful farm pond into a stagnant pond overgrown by algae. The "clean water act" of
1972 addresses the issue of cleaning up our waters. Phosphorous is one of the key issues.
At one time we considered this a problem of Eastern States. Due to our arid climate if we
contaminate a water source it will take decades to correct our mismanagement.
This past irrigation season there was excessive soil erosion due to irrigation runoff from
the above proposed 4,000-cow dairy site. One ditch, which carries irrigation tail waters
runs through our property. The silt from this runoff completely filled a portion of the
ditch and buried a culvert, which gives access to one of our pastures. Silt laden irrigation
water washed over county road 15 midway between CR 84 & 86. The drainage from
these fields passes through 5 properties on its way to the Water Supply& Storage
irrigation canal. In the proposal there are plans to address the nitrogen issue but do not
address the control of phosphorous. To comply with the Colorado "Confined Animal
Feeding Operations Control Regulation" solid manure, storm water run-off and process
water must be kept on site. These materials will be distributed onto the 110 acres. There
is no plan to capture the uncontrolled sediment laden runoff from these materials. The
phosphorous laden runoff waters will adversely affect the farm pond and our
wetlands/wildlife habitat and eventually find its way into other waterways.
God has been exceptionally good to me. He has equipped me with the knowledge and
skills to improve animal health and well-being. I have had the privilege to work in third
world countries with poor livestock producers to improve their lives through healthy
livestock. These world travels have also given me the opportunity to observe how the
greed of large scale operations have made devastating and irreversible changes to our
planet. In a quote from the October 23, 2000 issue of Investor's Business Daily it states,
"The world's ecosystems have declined 33% the past 30 years, the World Wildlife Fund
said. It blamed much of the damage on the rich northern countries exploiting tropical
rain forest habitat". Although ours is a small ecosystem in comparison we need to take
measures to protect these small ecosystems in Weld County.
As a veterinarian I would like to speak to animal welfare. The plan for the 4,000 cow
dairy excludes any form of shelter. We have had some very mild winters. Those of us
who experienced the New Years blizzard of 1949 can appreciate the relentless severity of
the elements in our area. As a practicing veterinarian from 1965 to 1985 I served many
of the dairies in Larimer and Weld counties. To this day and still vivid in my memory
are the times I was called to treat a cow in full production with 4 frozen teats. So along
with your responsibility for protecting our environment you must also be concerned with
animal welfare.
You are the chosen stewards of our small corner of the planet. The decisions you make
must be for the betterment of mankind. In all reality a 4,000-cow dairy will be in the
community a maximum of 15 years. There may be more suitable locations in the county
for a 4,000 dairy operation. The decision you make today will impact future generations.
Personally I would like children of future generations to have the thrill of seeing that
Great Blue Heron glide into our little Wetland refuge to feed on the small fish in the
stream.
Sincerely,
1 _}mac'!'
Cleon V Kimberling DVM, MPH
September 30, 2000
Weld County Department of Planning Services
1555 N. 17th Avenue
Greeley, CO 8063
Re: USR-1289
4,000-cow dairy on W1/2 of Section 5,T7N, R67W
Dear Board Members
Background of the community on adjacent properties
In the early 1970's the community surrounding the above mentioned property was single-
family farms. These farms were comprised of a quarter section (160 acres) with a
mixture of grain and livestock enterprises. One of the two properties that comprise the
above 278 acres operated a small (<1,000 head) backgrounding lot that was used
primarily in the fall. The other property operated a small dairy (<100 head).
In recent years the demographics of the surrounding community has shifted to small
acreage production with the division of these adjacent quarter sections as follows:
Legal description Current single-family dwellings
SW 1/4, 32/8/67 2 Families
SE1/4, 31/8/67 2 Families
NE1/4, 6/7/67 6 Families
SE1/4, 6/7/67 4 Families
NE1/4, 7/7/67 4 Families Currently
4 Building Sights Approved
N W 1/4, 8/7/67 3 Families
NE 1/4, 8/7/67 6 Families
Arial photographs are enclosed.
Environmental impact
A lactating cow weighing 1400 lbs excretes (on average) 112 lbs (1.8 cubic feet) manure
and urine per day. For a dry cow it would be about 115 lbs/day (data from Colorado
State University Soil Scientist). One hundred twelve pounds of urine and manure times
4,000 cows equals air pollution, water pollution and a settlement basin that will provide
adequate offensive odor for the entire neighborhood. Operating a dairy of this magnitude
will impact the quality of life of all adjoining families by.
• An increase in heavy truck traffic.
• Air pollution —an increase in dust from WCR 84 and the dry lots.
• Noise pollution from a 24-hour operation.
• Surface and ground water contamination.
• Offensive odors from the settling basin.
It is Mr. Dye's right to operate a dairy under the provisions of"use by right". We are
opposed to a 4,000-cow special permit. The Weld County Planning Services has allowed
the area to become a small acreage community. To approve a 4,000 cow dairy in the
midst of this community would be completely inconsistent.
Sincerely,
Cleon & Betty Kimberling
SE 1/4 31/8/67 Slit Tel n. ,_
NE 1/4 6/7/67 •
•
SE 1/4 6/7/67
NW 1/4 8/7/67
• one resident not opposed - •
NE 1/4 7/7/67
circles indiacte families opposed to the proposed 4. 000 cow permit
circles indicate single family dwellings
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Manure Sforage Area m -
'1 Holding Ponds
- Dairy Parlor & Pens -1
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NW 1/4 8/7/67 u.
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Cir les indicate cingle fami7y dwel?inc adjacent to the proposed 4, 000 row dairy
thcca families are opposed to the permit ✓
..I I{.r1�.. families• •V.. i./i 4. Vr./pV JV- to the permit
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WS&5 irrigation
canal
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Drainage from the 4,000 cow Dyeland Dairy
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Uncontrolled irrigation water from the crop land
of the 4,0000 cow proposed dairy
Weld County Road 84
08-07-2000
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silt filled ditches and onto the county road
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A once beautiful farm pond overgrown with algae
due to the runoff from a large animal confinement
operation. This is within 3 miles of the proposed
4,000 cow dairy
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The Kimberling's Wetlands/ Wild Life Habitat
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