February 28th, 2023

State panel holds informational hearing 
on Confined Animal Feeding Operations

The Oregon Senate Natural Resources Committee held an informational hearing Feb. 28 on the regulatory framework for Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) in Oregon. The hearing was livestreamed. (See the video link below.)
No testimony was taken, but proponents of a bill aimed at putting the brakes on construction of large-scale chicken operations in the mid-valley were in attendance.
People opposing plans by plans Foster Farms to locate millions of broiler chickens in the Scio, Stayton, Jefferson and Aumsville areas are circulating an online petition urging legislators to support House Bill 2667, ​which would place a moratorium on construction of new or expanding CAFOs. 
Members of the Natural Resources committee are: Chair Sen. Jeff Golden, Vice-Chair Sen. Fred Girod, Sen. Floyd Prozanski, Sen. David Brock Smith and Sen.  Kathleen Taylor. Members of the House Committee on Agriculture, Land Use, Natural Resources and Water.have been invited to hearing.
Speaking at Tuesday's hearing were::
• Wym Matthews, CAFO and Fertilizer Programs Manager, Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Jim Johnson, Land Use and Water Planning Coordinator, Oregon Department of Agriculture
• Jennifer Wigal, Water Quality Division Administrator, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
• Michael Orman, Air Quality Planning Manager, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
• Bryn Hudson, Legislative Coordinator, Oregon Water Resources Department
• Mike McCord, Northwest Region Manager, Oregon Water Resources Department.
The committee may soon decide whether public hearings will be held on HB 2667 and other CAFO-related bills. April 4 is the deadline to hold public hearings on these bills.

Watch the hearing video