The Win Comes as the People Protecting Pierce Community Campaign Gains Momentum to Organize for Safeguards from CAFO Impacts for Wells, and Waterways

The Pierce County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed an update to its waste storage ordinance on August 22, 2023 in a step towards safeguarding the well-being of local water and residents. The waste storage ordinance update gives Pierce County more oversight and enforcement over agricultural operations with liquid manure storage and management, including CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) in its jurisdiction. Significantly, the ordinance allows the county to levy fines against CAFOs found in violation, which may even lead to revocation of their certificates of use. Additionally, the ordinance strives to limit winter manure spreading, a practice known to pose threats to ground and surface water during snow melt.  The move is marked by community members as part of the People Protecting Pierce campaign. 

“I’m grateful to the Pierce County Board of Supervisors for taking care in developing the updated ordinance language to allow for increased protections of surface water and groundwater.” said Teresa Davis who has been organizing with neighbors on People Protecting Pierce since January of 2023. “Our county is blessed with unique water resources, and preventing pollution should be a high priority. We all deserve to enjoy drinking water we know is safe for our families and animals.  There are additional ways to protect our water and quality of life, but having an updated ordinance to help to protect against liquid manure storage issues and runoff after liquid manure field application is a positive step.  The board heard from us this week, and they will continue to hear from us, as there is more work to be done to protect the county we love.“

Since this spring, group members like Teresa have rallied community support for protecting clean air and clean water from the impacts of CAFOs in the region. People Protecting Pierce members advocated for the action at the public hearing on June 13th, and sent a direct letter of support to every member of the board ahead of the vote this week to urge for its passage. The new ordinance stands testament to the power of community organizing as we create a safer and healthier future for all of us.

In a show of solidarity for local clean water, over the past 8 weeks, over 100 local families donated a total of more than $20,000 to support protecting Pierce County water, homes, and land from the threats posed by expanding CAFOs. This follows the more than 750 locals who signed a petition earlier this year in support of a 12 month moratorium on CAFO expansions. Unfortunately, the Land Conservation Committee rejected that petition last month.

“All Pierce County residents deserve to have the power to protect themselves from the destruction caused by big ag polluting our air and our water, reducing the values of our properties and shredding our roads,” emphasized Jenelle Ludwig-Krause, GROWW Executive Director. “People across the county are joining together, investing time, and giving money, to make that possible. GROWW is proud to be a vehicle the People Protecting Pierce members can use for this work. One ordinance, one step at a time. We envision a world where we can all trust a glass of water and splash around in a river or lake on a hot day.”

People Protecting Pierce meets weekly and is currently planning for future actions to continue the work to protect water and families in Pierce County. Pierce County residents who are eager to join this work can learn more at www.gro-ww.org/pierce-county-cafos. Together, we can create a healthier and safer future for Pierce County.