A new survey put out by Bartholomew County is hoping to gain residents' opinions on the zoning of concentrated animal feeding operations, known as CAFOs.
The debate to restrict zoning for these operations has been ongoing since two CAFOs were approved in the spring of 2014. At that point, a moratorium on CAFO approvals was passed while community members and county officials worked to resolve conflict.
However, the moratorium expired in August of this year without any concrete change.
A CAFO study group is still working to put forth a resolution that appeases both the pro- and anti-CAFO groups. Their new survey hopes to clarify where Bartholomew County residents live and how they will be affected by CAFO zoning changes.
Kris Medic, facilitator of the CAFO Study group and educator at Purdue Extension, explains that the responses to this survey will help the group find the best policy recommendation for the community.
"The committee's job is not to answer the question yes or no," she says. "The committee's job is to answer the question where, and, you know, so that's really what we've been wrestling with is where in the county."
The Bartholomew County CAFO Regulation Study Committee is expected to make a final recommendation at its meeting later this month to be sent to the county commission.