Fredmo Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 Is this news to everyone, or just me? Proposed 'mega-dairy' may close before opening Four-year legal fight nears end with California businessman dropping plans for site near Galena 191 http://www.trbimg.co...rm-20121120/600 The Bos family farm in Bakersfield, Calif. (Alex Horvath, for the Chicago Tribune / March 25, 2008) MAPS Nora, IL Ads by Google Reverse Mortgage ScamThe Whole Dirty Truth About Reverse Mortgages. Be Informed.www.annuity.cc Pros and Cons of ReverseReverse mortgages aren't right for everyone. Learn the downsides.genworthreversemortgage.com NW Illinois GetawaysCountry charm, historic roots only 2 hours from Chicagowww.bwcvb.com By Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune reporter 11:15 p.m. CST, November 20, 2012 A controversial plan to build the largest dairy in Illinois has been put out to pasture, state officials announced Tuesday. The Illinois attorney general's office announced a proposed settlement in which the owners of the 5,500-head dairy planned near Galena will clean up and leave, to the joy of local opponents. "We've agreed they would not seek permitting to allow the dairy, and they've decided to dismantle and be done with the project," said Scott Mulford, a spokesman for the attorney general. The agreement would end a four-year legal battle between California dairyman A.J. Bos and a group of area residents who fought his "mega-dairy," fearing the vast amount of manure it would produce would foul the air and contaminate groundwater. The end comes without a cow ever being milked there. Bos proposed the Tradition Dairy in 2008 near the northwestern Illinois town of Nora in Jo Daviess County. He maintained the site was safe and got a permit to proceed from the Illinois Department of Agriculture. He soon ran into resistance from opponents, who formed a group called HOMES and filed suit to stop the dairy. A judge halted work on the site in 2008, but the courts allowed the project to proceed in early 2011. At the same time, the environmental protection agencies at state and federal levels began requiring more documentation from the dairy to prove that it would not contaminate the groundwater. In April 2011, the Illinois attorney general's office filed a complaint alleging that purple silage runoff, a liquid produced from stored corn, had leaked from the site and contaminated a nearby creek and the Apple River. Dairy officials maintained the liquid had done no harm, and they quickly took steps to prevent it from happening again. Prosecutors proposed a fine of up to $250,000 for water pollution and operating without a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. Under the settlement, the dairy would be fined $1,000 and required to dispose of the silage runoff in a safe manner so that it will not leak into nearby waters. The settlement will be considered for approval by the Illinois Pollution Control Board. Danielle Diamond, attorney for the Illinois Citizens for Clean Air and Water, gave credit to local activists for stopping the "dangerous" project. Officials with Tradition Dairy could not be reached for comment late Tuesday. They have said the project would have helped the state's shrinking dairy industry, but that Gov. Pat Quinn's opposition to the dairy unfairly tainted the regulatory process. rmccoppin@tribune.com Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune Quote
jude Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 Saw that on the news last night. Excellent news! Quote
Guest rich mc Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 thats another good thing to be Thankful for rich mc Quote
Mike Clifford Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 I must say, that was long but very hard fought battle. The ISA had it's hat in the ring in a major way, so this is a victory worthy of great celebration. I'm uncorking the wine as I type..... WoooooooHoooooo!!!!!!!! Quote
jude Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 Mr. Clifford, you deserve a couple of cases of wine for the work you've done. Thanks. Quote
Mike Clifford Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 Come on, Jude.....you were our point man in the field! Quote
jude Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 OK. I'll have a couple Jack/Cokes tonight to celebrate. Still nothing compared to what you've done. (And continue to do.) Quote
Mike Clifford Posted November 21, 2012 Report Posted November 21, 2012 CHEERS, Brother!!! (insert the sound of clinking glass here) Quote
Scott Ferguson Posted November 22, 2012 Report Posted November 22, 2012 Score one for the good guys! Quote
Jim J Posted November 22, 2012 Report Posted November 22, 2012 That is great!!! Mike, can you get something in for the newsletter? Thanks to all. I beleive the ISA donated some funds to the fight on this if I'm not mistaken..... I have my turkey brining Stuffing ready for the oven tomorrow which includes..... sourdough bread, breakfast sausage, granny smith apples, golden raisens, onions, celery, sage, Cranberry, orange, sauce sweet potatoe casserole grandmothers pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting apple pie homemade bread and other stuff I can't remember because I'm on a third glass of cabernet Scott, did you take your meds after the bears game? Kids are in from out of town and I just returned from Hawaii Quote
Mike Clifford Posted November 22, 2012 Report Posted November 22, 2012 Yes, we supported the cause monetarily as well. I think it was like 4 years ago we turned the county board vote from yay to nay. Never stepped foot on the property in my life, but fought tooth and nail as if it was my own. Quote
Terry Dodge Posted November 22, 2012 Report Posted November 22, 2012 I have my turkey brining Call me dumb (my wife did today) but I have never heard of this term "brining a turkey" until today. Learn something new every day I guess. Great news and great work from all involved. Can't wait to read an article on it. Quote
Jim J Posted November 22, 2012 Report Posted November 22, 2012 I started brining a few years ago and really like it. Soak the turkey 24 hours in brining solution which infuses it with flavor. Lots of spices, apple cider etc. (Store bought) stuff some apples, oranges inside before baking and you got it. Quote
Mike G Posted November 22, 2012 Report Posted November 22, 2012 I started brining a few years ago and really like it. Soak the turkey 24 hours in brining solution which infuses it with flavor. Lots of spices, apple cider etc. (Store bought) stuff some apples, oranges inside before baking and you got it. Only on ISA, a segue from Megadairy to turkey stuffing. Quote
Eric Posted November 22, 2012 Report Posted November 22, 2012 The best was, "Can't wait to read an article on it!" ... written just after the posted article. Doh! Quote
Terry Dodge Posted November 22, 2012 Report Posted November 22, 2012 The best was, "Can't wait to read an article on it!" ... written just after the posted article. Doh! I mean from Mike. I can't wait to read one from Mike in the Bronzeback Bulletin. That's where you get the true story. Bestest reporting this side of the Mississip. Quote
tgoodmanii Posted November 22, 2012 Report Posted November 22, 2012 Great news!!! Looking forward to full report Quote
Jonn Graham Posted November 26, 2012 Report Posted November 26, 2012 Congrats Mr. Clifford. Heard it on the radio yesterday driving to the river. Quote
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