Northampton County staff has prepared a new assessment regarding how many 66’ x 600’ intensive poultry houses can be placed on parcels that will meet the County’s new setbacks. Under the proposed zoning ordinance, County staff has estimated that 91 of the industrial chicken houses can be placed on various parcels in Northampton County. The previous number cited by the Board, including numbers by Larry LeMond, was 50, nearly half what the County staff now indicates. Recent proclamations by the County regarding the limitations on intensive farming have been discounted, and this latest change in assessments is concerning. Below is the latest assessment from staff:
By my count…that’s 4 million, 550 thousand chickens per growth cycle. Nine week period. Multiply this by several years and see how many chickens that would be. Now think of the amount of waste. My numbers are taken directly from figures freely given by Tyson representatives from minutes taken from open sessions held in Accomack County. (50 thousand birds per one industrialized housing unit multiplied by 91) Congratulations, Northampton County…you are about to join the ranks of Sommerset County and other upland Delmarva counties. You should read up on how they are fairing with their waste and health.
I lived near a huge 5 building chicken production facility in Shenandoah County, VA for 17 years.
The SMELL – the TRAFFIC of the feed trucks is ENORMOUS. ALL TIMES OF DAY!!!!!
In addition – this is GMO folks – force feeding little chicks to “become” adults in SIX months!!!
Seems like this has already been approved – and seems like the PEOPLE spoke out and were ignored.
Suggesting a Freedom of Information request [on line and easy] for the ACTUAL incentives
[read bibrary] that has more importance than RETAINING THE BEAUTY of the Eastern Shore.
Shame oh shame oh shame. A PERMANENT decision that will PERMANENTLY scar the area.
WHAT ABOUT TOURISM $$$$. – Who will return??????? —–Shame oh shame oh shame.
No shame….these folks eat chickens three or four times a week, fifty-two weeks a year. Let them support the industry that provides their weekly nutrition. I guess they would rather continue to eat the chickens who’s production, ruined someone else’s county. Humans are selfish mammals.