Hearings Set for Controversial Proposed Feedlot Near Minidoka
Jerome County commissioners have set aside Aug. 14 and 15 to debate the Big Sky permit application. Concerns of former internees will be heard only at the hearings, making it necessary for elderly JAs to make a trip to Idaho.
The hearing dates have now been set for a controversial 13,188 heifer feedlot just a mile and a half away from the Minidoka Internment National Monument. But if former internees want to have their concerns heard, they will need to physically show up at the hearings in Idaho.
The Jerome County Commissioners have set aside Aug. 14 and 15 to hear from Big Sky Farms LLP owned by Don McFarland who want to build the controversial feedlot. Residents who live within a one-mile radius of the proposed feedlot will still be able to write in their concerns beforehand and can also present their testimony at the hearings.
But Japanese American former internees - many today in their early to late 80s - will have to find a way to physically get to the hearings to give their two minutes each worth of comments. Only then will they be given a chance to express their concerns about the stench of manure and potential pollutants having a negative impact on the historic Minidoka site.
"It would be nice if they would allow written testimony from the former internees," said Dr. Frank Kitamoto, a former Minidoka internee who will be unable to attend the upcoming hearings. "It would be to [Jerome County's] benefit. This is going to be a national monument. To make it so people will want to come and visit the Minidoka site."
Although the Jerome County commissioners were able to make an exception in allowing former internees to express their concerns at the hearings, an existing ordinance limiting prior written testimony to residents within the one-mile radius area must be followed, said Commissioner Charlie Howell.
"I understand that all P&Z (planning and zoning) issues affect some person or family one way or another. For every person that is happy an application is approved, there is also someone who may not be happy," said Howell.
Ironically, Jerome County Commissioners recently passed a moratorium on all CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) so they could update various ordinances but because Big Sky's permit was submitted prior to the moratorium taking effect, their application does not fall under the new policy.
Commissioner Diana Obenanuer says it has been difficult to work with the ordinances that Big Sky Farm's application currently falls under.
"I empathize with all the internees of the Hunt encampment and especially those who are challenged by age and infirmity which prevents them from attending and or testifying at the hearings," she said.
Just last month the Minidoka Internment National Monument was placed on the National Trust's list of "America's 11 Most Endangered Historic Places," noting the significance of the former World War II internment camp. From 1942 to 1945, 13,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry were forced to live in the Hunt, Idaho camp.
Although very little remains of the Minidoka internment camp today, the site currently has national monument status and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
"We are not opposed to cattle feedlots. We are supportive of the cattle industry because they are our neighbors," said Jim Azumano, president of Friends of Minidoka. "But this will affect people beyond a one-mile radius."
Although Howell did not wish to prejudice himself on either side of the controversial feedlot issue, Obenauer recognizes the historical significance of the Minidoka site.
"The fact that [Minidoka] is now a designated historical site is another reason to carefully evaluate our decision," she said. "I will do my best to support this monument and the people who were interred there. I will listen to all those who wish to testify or comment."
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