County Supervisor John Beard says it's time for prosperity for people and pigs without pollution

Winneshiek County Supervisor John Beard addressed a large group gathered at the Northeast Iowa Peace and Justice Center on Thursday morning to share his concerns and efforts to address the shortcomings of the DNR's Master Matrix which is used to evaluate concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO).

Last month the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a resolution petitioning the Governor of Iowa and the state legislature to address the failings of the Master Matrix. The Board sent the resolution to Iowa's 98 other county boards to prompt discussion and pressure the legislature to address their concerns.

Beard summed up his agenda with the slogan "Prosperity for people and pigs without pollution." He feels this is something that can be done and should be done, and the Winneshiek County Supervisors are taking steps to work towards that goal. According to Beard, there is documentation to show the current Matrix (created in 2002) is outdated and subsequently inadequate to protect resources such as air and water. He feels he cannot uphold his oath as a County Supervisor to protect the health and prosperity of the people who elected him with the current Matrix in place.

Beard explained that since state law preempts local law, all County Supervisors can do is encourage other counties to create similar resolutions. He says, "Our resolution has no legal teeth, but it is a vehicle to promote discussion and pressure the legistlature to reevaluate the Matrix. We need to accept science, work together, and adopt a 'We can do better' attitude."