Honoring Brahana

It's good to see the Arkansas Wildlife Federation rightfully honoring Dr. John Van Brahana at its annual Governor's Conservation Achievement Awards banquet tonight in Bryant.

A retired University of Arkansas professor of geological sciences and one of the nation's foremost hydrologists, Brahana has spent the past year with equally dedicated student volunteers monitoring water quality around and below the controversial C&H Hog Farms in Mount Judea.

The professor has devoted his own sustained energies and finances to determine subsurface water flows beneath and around this Cargill-sponsored nightmare that our state wrongheadedly permitted to nurture up to 6,500 swine in the ultra-sensitive watershed of our country's first national river. The state hasn't offered even one cent to assist in his effort to monitor its blunder.

And for Brahana's deserving service, the Wildlife Federation tonight will present him with its highest overall annual honor, the Harold Alexander Conservationist of the Year Award.

Like the federation, I greatly admire and respect this unique man and all those who've joined him to do all they can to keep Arkansans aware of how waste from this factory is flowing underground into and around Big Creek, a major tributary of the Buffalo just six miles downstream.

I want the organization to realize how much I appreciate that they kindly chose to present me their Carol Griffee Conservation Communicator of the Year Award for multiple columns about this hog factory. Their honor means even more by my having known and admired the late Ms. Griffee, one of our state's finest, most enterprising reporters.

As I've said before, my craft, especially on the national level, has all but surrendered its once-proud role as the Fourth Estate, society's nonpartisan reporter of truths as the objective questioner of government solely in the public interest.

I'm certain Ms. Griffee, were she still among us, also would be shocked with this abdication of social responsibility under our First Amendment.

Yet again, I digress.

Meanwhile, my encouragement for Arkansans to express their opinions to Cargill about this hog factory apparently prompted many to respond by writing to the multinational corporation's communications director, Michael Martin.

Below are but a few edited examples that readers copied to me:

Ed Brocksmith--"The permit granted for the hog farm near the Buffalo National River was a mistake on the part of Arkansas regulators. Cargill has received a black eye because of this ill-advised decision by [the Department of Environmental Quality]. Further bad publicity is sure to come from this venture between Cargill and the farm in question. I urge Cargill to back away from this project before it's too late and a water quality disaster occurs on this beautiful stream."

Roland Robinson--"To say C&H followed all existing regulations only speaks to the sham the regulations are. Apparently, the director of ADEQ didn't even need to know the permit had been issued. ... To believe the operation of this CAFO will not result in dire consequences is to live in a fool's paradise. ... We're always assured all regulations are met, despite the fact that these kind of corporate operations fly in the face of common sense. Wanna make me a loyal Cargill supporter? Remove this CAFO."

RG Smith--"I used to think, as I drove by the Cargill facility in Springdale: Thank God we have businesses like this, supporting our economy, providing jobs; Cargill is just good folks. Now I think: Cargill, polluter of rivers, enemy of the environment, torturer of animals, indifferent to the public, supporter of corrupt politicians. Shame. Close that farm in Mount Judea, for God's sake, and for your good name."

Brian Thompson--"Regarding possible Cargill options, it seems that you can only choose to: 1. continue to back C&H, perhaps strengthening safeguards and spinning that as best you can, or 2. You can terminate the C&H contract for which I'm sure there are several possible approaches. Contract termination provides a tremendous opportunity for Cargill to do the right thing and harvest all sorts of public relations benefits. Continuing to back C&H would be a PR loser no matter how you manage it."

The Vorbachs--"Mr. Martin: The clock is ticking and every day means a greater problem for the Buffalo River. Please don't wait in your decision ... The reputations of Cargill ... and the state of Arkansas are at stake ... to have a hog farm in the proximity of a National River! What idiots would do a thing like that? ... Please do the correct thing and remove that horrible threat to the environment and to future generations who may never experience the enjoyment of beauty and purity in the Buffalo River. If there has been a significant change to the water quality already, I hope Cargill is prepared to spend the dollars to repair the problems! Common sense and integrity is the only way agriculture can coexist with 'other land usage' in NW Arkansas. Greed and disregard for citizens and the things they hold dear are defined in the name 'Cargill' at this moment. Perhaps your reputation can be saved."

Maxine--"Sir, Some things are more important than money. The Buffalo National River is one."

Share your own opinion at michael_martin@cargill.com.

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Mike Masterson's column appears regularly in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Email him at mikemasterson10@hotmail.com. Read his blog at mikemastersonsmessenger.com.

Editorial on 08/23/2014

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