Honorable Judge Klein,

    I have a few concerns about the changes for rule 7020 that I would like

to share with you if I may.  My concern is about the monitoring of the manure

collection ponds created by some factory farms.  I will try to briefly list

them.

 

Monitoring of ground water around factory farms is important for many reasons:

1.  Protection of area residents.  When the ground water and local wells

become contaminated by any industry it is the residents of the area that pay

the ultimate price.  There is plenty of historical evidence that suggests

problems with ground water contamination from various factories are not

sought out unless large numbers of area residents become ill.  It is a sad

thing to say but many times in our history it is the health of area residents

that has been our only clue to ground water problems.

2.  Protection of our State Budget.  Often after industrial ground water

problems are discovered a lengthy and costly litigation process follows with

the tax payers footing the bill.

3.  Protecting the industries (factory farmers) from themselves.  Without

monitoring a minor and preventable pollution problem could mushroom into a

financially devastating problem for the factory itself.  The costs of clean

up may be initially paid by the industry in question but those costs are

passed on to the consumers in higher prices.

4.  Protecting our environmental legacy for future generations.  Self

explanatory.

 

    In conclusion, without proper monitoring of ground water in areas

surrounding factory farms with manure collection ponds, it is the residents

of this state whose health and financial well being that are put at risk.

 

                                                Sincerely,

                                                Joseph M. Smith

                                                7723 158th Ave. NW

                                                Ramsey Mn, 55303

                                                JMSMITH40@cs.com