Mountville Residents Unite Against Poultry Farm Expansion Citing Environmental Risks

Mountville Residents Rally Against Poultry Farm Expansion Amid Pollution Concerns

Mountville, South Carolina – Charles Blackmon and other residents of Mountville, a rural community in Laurens County, are pushing back against the expansion of large poultry farms that they fear could harm the environment and their quality of life. For over nine years, Blackmon has led a grassroots movement aiming to curb the growth of the poultry industry in his area, rallying community support against potential pollution and declining property values.

Community Activism

At 76 years old, Blackmon is no stranger to activism. He founded a community group called SCRAP, short for South Carolinians for Responsible Agricultural Practices. The group has become a prominent voice against industrial-scale chicken farms that have started to proliferate in the region. These farms can house upwards of half a million chickens in a single operation, generating significant amounts of waste each year.

“This is big, corporate chicken farms,” Blackmon expressed. “This product is marketed all over the world. And we’re left with the pollution.” Despite being a part of a community that benefits economically from agriculture, Blackmon emphasizes the pressing need for regulations to control the environmental impact of poultry farming.

Poultry Farms and Pollution Threats

Recent state permits have been granted for two new large-scale farms that could lead to the construction of 16 additional chicken barns. Blackmon’s community group is challenging these permits in court, concerned about the impact of poultry waste on nearby waterways. The Little River, which flows through Mountville, is already overburdened with fecal bacteria, and locals worry the additional waste will exacerbate pollution and threaten their drinking water sourced from wells.

A study conducted by Duke University highlights that living near a poultry farm could diminish property values by up to 30%, raising alarm among local homeowners about potential financial losses should nearby farms expand.

Supporters of Poultry Farming

However, not everyone in the community is against these farming practices. Supporters argue that poultry farming plays a vital role in South Carolina’s economy, which produces over 230 million birds annually. Farmers often counter that strict environmental regulations could jeopardize their ability to operate successfully.

Debo Jacks, a local farmer, defended the industry at a public meeting, claiming that complaints against poultry operations reflect a misunderstanding of the industry’s importance. “Everybody in here eats chicken. It’s so hypocritical to complain about people wanting to build chicken houses,” Jacks stated.

Regulatory and Environmental Concerns

Despite the economic benefits of poultry farming, the environmental consequences cannot be overlooked. Local streams and rivers have faced contamination issues largely attributed to runoff from chicken farms. Citizens have lodged multiple complaints against uncovered manure piles, arguing that state regulators have been too lenient, allowing farms to bypass necessary environmental protections.

In South Carolina, over 500 permits have been granted for poultry operations statewide, raising concerns about the potential cumulative environmental impacts. Critics are worried that without stronger regulations, issues like bacteria contamination from agricultural runoff will only worsen.

Coalition Against Poultry Expansion

As legal battles continue over the proposed farms, Blackmon remains resolute in his fight to protect the community’s natural resources and quality of life. “I can’t believe we so absolutely ignore our natural resources. How can they do this?” he questioned, articulating the collective frustration of many in Mountville.

The opposition has drawn divisions within the community, where some residents support agricultural growth while others prioritize environmental and health concerns. Blackmon and other SCRAP members insist on the need for density restrictions on poultry farms to mitigate localized impacts.

As debate continues, Mountville finds itself at a crossroads between economic growth and environmental protection, highlighting a larger national conversation about agriculture’s role in rural communities.