Fowler Residents Report Noxious Stench & Possible Water Contamination

Description: Audience Participation from the Otero County Commissioners Public Meeting August 9th.

Otero County Commissioners Public Meeting Audience Participation

Several concerned citizens spoke during the Otero County Commissioners regular public hearing held on August 9th, 2021.

Steven Arnold, a resident of Fowler, spoke during audience participation:

"My name is Steven Arnold, and I live in Fowler. I've been in contact with the health department and the land use for the past approximately three years trying to get a resolution to the dead animals at the Fowler Auction Barn. The smell can be almost unbearable at times. They have sent letters, and done stuff, we got them to stop for a short period of time, but they have since resumed their just open pit disposal of dead animals. I was assured after working with the health department, by Lex, that land use was the correct path to use. But, looking at this paperwork, which I have presented you with, the state health department has regulations for the disposal of carcasses, especially ones that could be non ambulatory or have pathogens that could be transmissionable to humans. So I am here requesting that you guys will assist me in following up with both the health department and with land use in trying to permanently solve this issue."

Jeff Culy, a resident of Fowler, spoke during audience participation:

"My Name is Jeff Culy, I live in Fowler, I grow produce in Fowler. I lived actually closer than him to the sale barn pit about three and a half years ago. I also worked with Lex and the health department people trying to get a resolution. The issue I wanted to bring up, the main concern is the ground water there is very high, especially in a wet year like this, and even in a dry year, the underground rivers that run under fowler, one that ran right under that property, we have enough water problems, things in the water. In fact, if you are familiar with the new state regs that are coming out, every town and county here is going to be double over the allotted amount for sweatings and other things."

"Leeching that quantity of liquids from animals a matter of maybe four feet above the water table, that's a concern. Yes, the smell is bad. I've seen the effects of this on larger communities over seas, Middle East and South Asia, I spent lots of years over there, I caught some strange diseases as a result, Typhoid wasn't fun. The water issue is the main thing. Also, Lex and the health department people, Sue and Rick, had mentioned that there were specific laws of disposal. When I build a barn or retail property or when I redid my last house then built a barn, I get permits, the inspections, I follow the laws. I may not love all of the laws that are out there, but they are our laws, and I would ask that the county look into keeping it to the letter of the law as we do when we are building or doing things that we are doing. In getting a business certificate for a farm stand in Fowler for $30, its a law, I paid it. That's all."

You'll Find More Coverage of Local Public Meetings Including Audience Participation in the SECO News Public Meeting Category:

http://seconews.org/public-meetings/

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