Huge sigh of relief.
I've been trying to rally the Okies --- although now it appears the Arkies need to be in on this --- and maybe everyone else --- re: a move in Oklahoma to define manure from CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations) aka factory farming aka (in this instance) the poultry industry (Tyson, Simmons, et al) as nonhazardous.
And, while trying to compile info on our extraordinary AG, Drew Edmondson, and on the details of the lawsuit Oklahoma has against Arkansas because of all the shit from the poultry industry there, I ran into this:
OKLAHOMA CITY — A compromise bill classifying animal waste as a non-hazardous substance "as defined by state law" was overwhelmingly approved by the Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday.
Attorney General Drew Edmondson, who had opposed an earlier version of the bill as "an aggravation" to his lawsuit against Arkansas poultry companies, gave his blessing to the compromise plan.
more below ...
"The language in the floor substitute for Senate Bill 709 takes a commonsense approach to this issue," Edmondson said. "This language allows for the appropriate use of manure as fertilizer while at the same time allowing the state to protect our water from pollution. This also protects rodeos, livestock shows, parades and similar events."
The bill, by Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha, was approved on a 38-8 vote. Its next stop is a House committee.
[...]
Meacham said the bill approved by the Senate "tweaks and clarifies" the earlier measure but does not preclude the possibility that manure can be used in a hazardous manner.
Whew.
HOWEVER, I ran into some stuff late last night that seems to infer some kind of national legislation on this issue which would not be beneficial for us little folk.
I'll keep doodling around on it and hopefully have that clarified by the end of the week.
Or you all could clarify it!
In any case, I'm off to prepare my watermelon patch - ! - and breathe a temporary sigh of relief.
For now, it looks like it's going to be okay ... but we need to keep an eye on it!