Lt. Governor Quinn applauds temporary injunction to halt construction of mega-dairy in Jo Daviess County

Link: http://www.standingupforillinois.org/feature.php?id=1799

FREEPORT - October 24, 2008.  Lt. Governor Pat Quinn joined with concerned citizens at the to applaud the issuance of a temporary injunction last Monday against the construction of a mega-dairy called Tradition Dairy in Jo Daviess County. 

Quinn presented an Environmental Hero Award to "Helping Others Maintain Environmental Standards" (HOMES) for their grassroots effort to stop the construction of a proposed 6,850 cow mega-dairy which would threaten clean air and water in the surrounding area.

"Everyday people banding together for clean air and water cannot be defeated," Quinn said.  "I am proud to honor HOMES with an Environmental Hero Award for their dedication to protecting and preserving a healthful environment and the public health of our citizens."   

HOMES, founded earlier this year to oppose the mega-dairy, argued that the proposed facility violated the Livestock Management Facilities Act and that the Illinois Department of Agriculture violated the law in approving it.  The Act sets requirements for the design, construction and operation of livestock management and livestock waste-handling.

Last Monday, Judge Kevin J. Ward of Jo Daviess County issued a preliminary injunction halting the project holding that there is a strong probability that the mega-dairy would cause significant long-term damage to local groundwater and create a public nuisance.  Under the injunction issued by Judge Ward, Tradition Dairy cannot house more than 199 cows or use storage tanks or retention ponds for livestock waste. 

It is estimated that a 700 acre mega-dairy farm would produce more than 90 million gallons of waste per year.  The 6,850 animal unit concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) was set to be located less than one mile from Nora, Illinois.

Lt. Governor Quinn serves as the chairman of the Illinois River Coordinating Council (IRCC), the Great Lakes Commission and the Illinois Green Governments Coordinating Council (GGCC).  Quinn has supported efforts to preserve natural areas and his leadership has led to preservation of Plum Island as an Illinois Audubon Refuge in the Illinois River and the designation of the Illinois River national scenic byway. 

For more information, please visit StandingUpForIllinois.org.

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