A central Indiana county has approved new restrictions on livestock farms limiting where those farms can be built. The ordinance approved this week by the Bartholomew County commissioners takes effect immediately for concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs. The (Columbus) Republic reports it calls for CAFOs to be built no closer than a quarter-mile from schools, health care facilities and churches, and 500 feet from residential lots in areas zoned for agriculture. New farms must also be at least a 500 feet from any water well.
The setbacks are considered a compromise between livestock producers and residents worried about the health and environmental impacts of livestock farms’ smells, dust and runoff.