Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry invites local residents to learn about coming air monitoring & public data gathering project; Health & safety risk of industrial egg plant under scrutiny

WHAT: A public meeting for all residents sponsored by the US Department of Health & Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to present plans for its investigation of air quality near Hickman’s Family Farms’ Arlington & Tonopah facilities. ATSDR staff will explain their role & process, respond to questions, and ask for public input.

WHEN: Tuesday, February 27, 2018 | 6:00pm- 8:00pm PT

WHERE: Saddle Mountain RV Park — Clubhouse | 40902 W. Osborn Rd., Tonopah, AZ 85354

WHO:

• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry staff
• Members of Save Tonopah Oppose Poultry Plant (STOPP) & Don’t Waste Arizona
• Local residents impacted by the Hickman Family Farms egg production operation

STOPP is assisted by the Socially Responsible Agricultural Project.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Federal attention comes to a 4-year community battle. Since 2014, Tonopah and Arlington residents have registered numerous complaints and entered several County processes opposing the community impacts of Hickman Family Farms. Hickman facility stands within a few hundred feet of residences, businesses and natural hot springs, threatening quality of life, the local economy, the use and value of surrounding properties and potentially harming public health.

Residents have rallied community opposition, documented painstaking scientific research, and sought reasonable solutions to noxious air emission risks, including ammonia releases, coming from Hickman operations. Their efforts have been met with little government action and no success. All the while, Hickman egg operations have continued to expand and its contamination capabilities have continued to grow.

ATSDR decided to conduct an investigation in November 2017 after receiving a petition request from STOPP and Don’t Waste Arizona based on concerns that air emissions from Hickman’s Family Farms’ facilities are posing a health risk to community members. A Federal agency will now register its evaluation of the Hickman issue

The ATSDR investigation begins with a public meeting on February 27^th.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Media Contacts:

Dan Mack, STOPP Inc. | 916-759-4291 | macks405@sbcglobal.net

Steve Masar, Socially Responsible Agricultural Project | 415-420-7527 | media@sraproject.org