Tribe considers ban of new dairy feedlots

Worried about possible health risks from feedlot and dairy operations, Yakama tribal members want to limit such operations on the reservation.

Tribal members not only complain of the smell and dust they believe might be causing illnesses, but are also concerned about the possible effect such operations might be having on groundwater, said tribal member Pam Wong, who lives next to a 12,000-cow feedlot in Harrah.

Last week, tribal members approved Wong's motion by a vote of 139 to 69 for a moratorium on new or expanded operations on the 1.2 million-acre reservation.

The vote was taken at the tribe's General Council meeting, where tribal members weigh in on major decisions.

But before the tribe finalizes any moratorium, it will research the effect feedlots and dairies may be having on the environment and forward the findings to the Yakama Tribal Council, said Phil Rigdon, deputy director of the tribe's Department of Natural Resources.

Wong is among several property owners on the reservation embroiled in a lawsuit against the feedlot near her home. She accuses the operation of polluting the air, causing illnesses and reducing property values. The groups seeks $5 million in damages and problems with dust and odor removed.

Bill Dolsen, president of the company that owns the feedlot, said the feedlot is following all environmental regulations.

Wong said when she put her house on her property eight years ago, the feedlot was only about half its current size. But problems with dust and odor have worsened since the operation expanded in 2002, she said.

"We live with it every day and my kids are getting sick," she said. "I just wanted to put a stop to it before it happens to anyone else."

Dolsen said the feedlot expansion was approved by all parties that had an interest, including the Yakama Nation.

He said it was a lengthy process.

"They made us jump through all the hoops," he said. "It would be easier to build a nuclear reactor."

As far as any moratorium, Dolsen said he's not worried because his feedlot isn't seeking any future expansions at this time.

"We don't have any plans to expand our feedlot," he said. "The size we have now fits our needs."