" Agriculture, cows, manure, smells, DUHHHHHHHHH!

When I bought my last 3 houses over the past 18 years, I signed a statement that I knew how far the closest feedlot was and that there may be smells at different times of the year. Read your docs. If you're still having problems with the smells, a quick dip in the New River will cure you of all you smelling abilities.
"

" I agree with Dushane on this article and the unemployment one...if you don't like it here then move where the grass is greener. On the other hand there is nothing wrong with trying to improve our environment either....but be part of the solution and don't just complain, throw out some ideas to make it better here! "

" Another of the IV posts complains about high unemployment. This one complains about odors that some may find offensive. So my question is > why do you chose to live here? You are completely free to move to where the scent of flowers fill the air and jobs are abundant. Just do it! "

" should rename this comment forum to the "crying board"

no one has a "right" to perfect health--no one has a "right " to perfect living conditions--no one has a "right" to a perfect world.

ohhh--i forgot--since children are children and cant make choices---we all need the world perfect for them.

"

" I want to report the smell of the B.S. coming from the post by monique. "

" Steve Birdsall, Air Pollution Control District Officer (who is also the Agricultural Commissioner for Imperial County…why wasn’t that disclosed in Probe? Possible conflict of interest?…well, that’s for another post another time) is correct in stating that there is currently no odor nuisance APCD Rules. According to Air Pollution Control District Rule 407 which deals with nuisances states that the “rule does not apply to odors emanating from agricultural operations.” Some litigators may argue that this is an extension of California Civil Code 3482.5 (“The Right to Farm Act”) which covers agricultural activities and situation of nuisances. However, this does not exempt agricultural activities from behaviors that endanger public health. What we often smell from these facilities are ammonia and methane gasses. Yes, these odors are nuisances and yes the county will not act on odor nuisance complaints; however, the county has the RESPONSIBILITY to act upon activities which jeopardize public health. For example, ammonia gas in the atmosphere can react with other gases which are precursors for the development of particulate matter. Particulate matter has been shown to cause respiratory problems and contribute to the haze we sometimes encounter surrounding these facilities. Therefore, the smell coming from these facilities is more than just a pesky odor nuisance that “comes with the territory.” It is actually a warning to us that our health may be in jeopardy if conditions are conducive to the proper mixture of gases that are precursors for the development of particulate matter. Therefore, I urge you to report to the Air Pollution Control District when you have an air quality problem because your nose may be detecting what your eyes can’t see (ultra-fine particulate matter). It is the invisible (and on really bad days, the sometimes visible) particulate matter that the EPA deems as a health hazard and requires that our local APCD monitors, fine facilities out of compliance, and ensure that these facilities are enforcing mitigation practices. "

" Sounds like we're beefing up our border region for the "Bovine to Energy Capital of World" award. We should make millions converting our emission credits into lots of "moola." Yes, we've always had cows and responsible cattle ranchers deserve lots of kudos for managing the tricky waste problems that come along with cows. I mean we all like a good rib-eye, right? Well, I do and I am not willing to give it up just yet. However, there is something to be said about saturating our air with a malodorous mixture of ammonia and undigested starches from feed. I mean, the EPA says that the ammonia emissions is what we should be concerned about even if our county is not. Maybe the housing developers should disclose (big signs at the front office of the models)that reads "Reminder: You are about to buy a new home where you may not be able to open your windows at certain times of the year." This way, all new home buyers will appreciate how close they live in proximity to cows, sewer plants, landfills, and other potential pollutant sources. Informed prior consent is ideal but everyone has to participate-even the consumer. "

" I don't why everyone is complaining about the smell. I grew up on the Alamo feed yard the was next to Holy Sugar. I would play the pens and in the shoots with bother and neighbor's kids. I love that smell reminds me of the glory days of my youth. "

" the smell that comes out of feedlots is bad but its even worser when you burn the crap "

" I love the smell of decomposing flesh. Reminds me of first girlfriend. Ah to be young again... "

" I GREW UP IN LONG BEACH IN THE 50-60 ERA. SMOG WAS SO THICK YOU COULD CUT IT WITH A KNIFE. WHEN YOU BREATHED OR PLAYED/EXERCISED OUTSIDE YOUR THROAT HURT AND LUNGS BURNED. THEN THEY STARTED TO CRACK DOWN ON THE INDUSTRY POLLUTERS AND VEHICLE EXHAUST EMMISSIONS ... NOW IT IS NOT SO BAD, BUT IT IS STILL THERE. YES, WE GET THE CATTLE LOT SMELL, FERTILIZER SMELL, CUT BROCCOLI SMELL, BUT THE WORST IS THE HOLLY SUGER PLANT WHEN THEY ARE PROCESSING SUGAR BEATS. "

" just like anything in life feedlots been here before you so adjust and forget about it






"

" After living in Los Angeles County most of my life, I will gladly take the smells of the Valley anyday over the smog, the crowds, the traffic that you have to sit in while inhaling all those exhaust fumes and moving a couple inches every few minutes on the gridlocked freeways. Getting off of work and spending most of your evening getting home. The Valley is GREAT. I love it. "

" If you don't like the smell, move out... "

" Lucky! How I miss the smell of Imperial Valley! "

" How can anyone complain about smell of agriculture in Imperial Valley? If it wasn't for agriculture this Valley wouldn't exist. It may be true that Brawley smells worse though because everything about Brawley is worse. (tongue firmly stuck in cheek) "

" Catfishlover, your son must love it when you get back to the eye watering, coughing, nose running, is that fog or haze, exhaust smells of home. "

" Imagine if someone from Brawley moved to L.A. and wrote to the equivilant of Probe and complained of the smell and the eyes watering and constant coughing from the smog. They would be laughed out of town. "

" People move here from the city sprawl and smell what the outdoors have to offer and are offended because there nostrils are bombarded with everything nature has to offer instead of the smog filled cities they are so used to. It's so foreign to them that they worry about their health. Ha! Ha! Ha! Bassackwards city dwellers. "

" Smell Central...that is what my son has always called El Centro when we come to visit family. You know we are here when we can smell the cows and horses and farm land. Mmmmmmmmmmm...not bad smell really. THANKS-A VISITOR FROM SAN DIEGO "

" Drink some beer. After a time you will not care about the farm smells. "

" Aaaaah. The smell of perfume candles mixed with manure. Sorry but that does not appeal to me. "

" Here is a suggestion: Buy Gold Canyon Candles! "

" I can't believe you moved into a home anywhere close to a feedlot and complain. Get used to it or move. When you chose to live in an agricultural area, you are going to have some unpleasant smells. I love broccoli, but after a field has been harvested and what is left in the field starts rotting, I'm rooting for the guy on the tractor to arrive and turn it under and start another crop. Imperial Valley feedlots turn out a good product and our farmers turn out a good product. Be thankful for what you have and quit being negative! "

" GOOD LUCK; I HAVE WROTE SO MANY ARTICLES ABOUT THESE FEEDLOTS AND NOTHING GETS DONE FOR INSTANCE THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSE??TO BURN THE SH?" WELL THEY DO ALLYOU HAVE TO DO IS DRIVE ON BRANDT ROAD THE BRANDT FEED LOT BURNS THE SH?' @ NIGHT IVE COMPLAIN ABOUT IT FOR YEARS NO ONE GIVES A DAMN ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS DRIVE OUT THERE @ NIGHT AND SEE THE SH?' BURNING I WORKED @ THE LEATHERS GEOTHERMAL PLANT FOR APROX, 15 YEARS YES IT BEEN GOING ON THAT LONG. BUT HERES THE THING I WRITE THIS AND TONIGHT WILL BE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER NIGHT JUST BURNING THE SH?' "

" Plain and simple, If you moved into the area then your gonna have to live with the smell.If the writer can't stand it then they better move.Like others have said, it's been here for years! Love it,like it or leave it. "

" This reminds me of people that buy a home near an airport and then complain of the noise. Or people that buy in a known flood plain and then demand the government put in dams and drains. You chose it > so live with it.

By the way, the smell along the New River is worse and possibly very unhealthy, too. "

" Whiskey Bottle and Brand New car, Oak Tree You're in my way.....Oooh Oooh that smell, the smell that surrounds us… :) "

" sniifffff.....AAaahhhh! I just LOVE the Valley in the Winter! "

" Excerpts from the County website http://www.co.imperial.ca.us/moohere/info.html


"Easy manure disposal:Over 400,000 acres of cultivatable land available for waste disposal."

" The community is enthusiastic about the future of dairying and is ready to help you move."

"Short permit process"

And my favorite:
"Clean, smog-free air" "

" I'll take the smell of feedlots any day over that gawd-awful sewer smell in EC. Driving down La Brucherie is painful. Don't know how the residents around there can stand it. Ick! "

" The odor from cows in the Valley might only get worse, since the County is actively trying to attract more dairies (go to this link http://www.co.imperial.ca.us/moohere/). I live in Heber Meadows and as people may well know the stench from the feed lot here is unbearable. Our County Board of Supervisors approved composting of manure at El Toro without any requirements to reduce odor from the decomposition of the manure. As I have uncovered the Board and people at the County led by the big cow industry rezoned thousands of acres of property from A-2 to A-3 throughout the County to allow dairies to go in without any requirements. Wake up people! "

" I too remember the rendering plant when I was a kid. The beef plant ranks right up there with it. Both very nasty. And yes everytime you go to Wallmart, the sweet smell of sewer. What is next for Imperial Valley? Sludge? "

" I live where the aroma of horses trickles right up our nostrils! Not every day, and sometimes depending on the direction the wind is blowing.Sadly, when I visit relatives and friends in Brawley, I have nearly had to run indoors from the most disgusting and super foul odor that the beef plant emits. Sickening grotesque smells. It is not like people have to be some kind of "delicate" to tolerate horrible smells, take the Salton Sea for example. It smells like "bad gas/rotten eggs" all summer, but still doesn't have the "dead flesh" of the horrible beef plant. They should be forced to buy the nearby neighbors masks for outdoor times. Sorry folks, but you sure got a "raw deal" with this one. Enterprize zone or not!! Brawley never smelled bad before this monstrosity came along. "

" Well as a new resident of the valley I too have noticed the different "odors" at times this valley has to offer. However unpleasant, I'd much rather endure these occasional aromas in MY home in MY backyard than sit on a porch paying rent to someone else. I prefer to enjoy the wonderful hospitality and pleasantness of the valley residents than be surrounded by rude, obnoxious city dwellers. As much as I loved living in San Diego and the many wonderful people there, the valley and its residents have a charm that makes me thankful my husband literally "dragged" me here. "

" When I was a kid growing up in Brawley I lived in the Gov't camp on N. Imperial and the rendering plant down by the dump would put out the worst smell you could imagine. Only time I smelled that again was while in Nam. We used to play down there and you had to be careful of the dried blood and guts streams that led down to the New River. Cow manure was nothing compared to that. "

" Feedlots don't bother me but the smell of that beef plant is horrible. You certainly can't stay outside when that smell kicks up. Nothing was ever done about that either. "

" Wonder what the residents of Northern Imperial would do if they knew they were living on top of what was once one of the biggest feedlots in the county? Gotta wonder wonder if the area was really cleaned up before building all them homes or if fill dirt was just put on top of all that BS. One thing the writer can do is move back to the big city. "

" First of all, these feedlots are not located within the City's jusrisdiction and therefore no ordinances can be enforced upon them. Second, you live in an agricultural area . . . what do you expect at times. And Finally, what about the continuous wastewater plant smell in El Centro in the vicinity of Walmart and North Imperial Avenue? This is in the City and was poorly planned. "

" As a very good friend used to say, after I first moved here and complained about the smell..... "Ahhh, the smell of money!" "

" Ah yes, the wonderful feedlots of the valley. One of our few distinguishing marks. Its funny how people freak when they live in a place driven by cattle yards and agriculture and then complain about the effects of the cattle yard and agriculture. Of course the feed lot is going to smell, its full of cows.
All you can do is do like the rest of us, learn to live with it. You wont notice it once you're used to it. "