Harris Outlines Plan to Protect Clean Water from Corporate Hog Farms - Jeff Harris Campaign Press Release

Harris Outlines Plan to Protect Clean Water from Corporate Hog Farms Recent Heavy Rains, Floods Demonstrate Potential Danger; Harris is the only candidate with a plan to combat CAFOs Columbia - Representative Jeff Harris today released his plan to combat the growing number of corporate hog farms in Missouri which present a danger to the state's environment. CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) are taking over the state's countryside but heavy rains and flooding demonstrate how their effect reaches beyond rural Missouri. Lagoons on these corporate farms this summer have threatened to overflow and even collapse, dumping tons of raw animal waste into streams and rivers, potentially contaminating drinking water. An official with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources told the Kansas City Star that the situation is "very concerning." A spokesman for the Sierra Club said the situation "could result in an unprecedented environmental disaster." Jeff Harris is the only candidate with a plan to protect our environment from the threat of CAFOs and give local communities a voice in where CAFOs can be built. Harris has also sponsored legislation that would prevent CAFOs from being built next to state parks, making sure these priceless resources are preserved for future generations of Missourians to fish, to hunt and to simply enjoy.   "Right now, our local communities have no control over where these corporate farms get built, and that has got to stop," said Harris. "Right now, the state closes its doors and prevents the people who know the land best from even being heard. As Attorney General, I will stand up for Missourians and against Big Ag, corporate interests and the political appointees who let them have their way."   Harris will force DNR to pay attention to local communities and to consider their concerns and opposition before approving new CAFOs. Harris will go after corporate farms that contaminate the ground and water, holding them accountable and making them pay to clean up the mess they leave behind.   "This issue affects rural Missouri, but it also affects every single person living in this state," said Harris. "We all need clean drinking water, and we all want our natural resources to be protected. The profits of corporations should never outweigh the interests of the people. When I'm Attorney General, I will fight for the citizens of this state and to protect our natural resources." Recent Heavy Rains, Floods Demonstrate Potential Danger; Harris is the only candidate with a plan to combat CAFOs Columbia - Representative Jeff Harris today released his plan to combat the growing number of corporate hog farms in Missouri which present a danger to the state's environment. CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) are taking over the state's countryside but heavy rains and flooding demonstrate how their effect reaches beyond rural Missouri. Lagoons on these corporate farms this summer have threatened to overflow and even collapse, dumping tons of raw animal waste into streams and rivers, potentially contaminating drinking water. An official with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources told the Kansas City Star that the situation is "very concerning." A spokesman for the Sierra Club said the situation "could result in an unprecedented environmental disaster." Jeff Harris is the only candidate with a plan to protect our environment from the threat of CAFOs and give local communities a voice in where CAFOs can be built. Harris has also sponsored legislation that would prevent CAFOs from being built next to state parks, making sure these priceless resources are preserved for future generations of Missourians to fish, to hunt and to simply enjoy.   "Right now, our local communities have no control over where these corporate farms get built, and that has got to stop," said Harris. "Right now, the state closes its doors and prevents the people who know the land best from even being heard. As Attorney General, I will stand up for Missourians and against Big Ag, corporate interests and the political appointees who let them have their way."   Harris will force DNR to pay attention to local communities and to consider their concerns and opposition before approving new CAFOs. Harris will go after corporate farms that contaminate the ground and water, holding them accountable and making them pay to clean up the mess they leave behind.   "This issue affects rural Missouri, but it also affects every single person living in this state," said Harris. "We all need clean drinking water, and we all want our natural resources to be protected. The profits of corporations should never outweigh the interests of the people. When I'm Attorney General, I will fight for the citizens of this state and to protect our natural resources." -- http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com