ivcair.org - Odor from feedlots is overly unpleasant

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QUESTION: I live on the outskirts of Brawley and have noticed recently that the odor emitting from the feedlots at dusk is a little more than usual.

It’s so bad that I cannot open the windows for fresh air.

Isn’t there some type of county ordinance or policy that these feedlots need to adhere to? What can be done about this as a citizen of this county? — Overwhelmed in Brawley

We periodically notice the feedlots and the heralded smell when the weather is just right and casts a pungent haze over the Valley.

On other days you wouldn’t even know they are there until you drive by the thousands of black and white cattle being held there.

We’ve heard others refer to the feedlot odor as a way to tell if you’re in Imperial Valley or particularly the Northend.

But what causes the odor to seemingly be worse on certain days puzzled us as much as it does you, so we called the county’s Air Pollution Control District Officer Steve Birdsall.

He said although there are no policies or ordinances regarding the odor coming from feedlots, if there is dust coming from the feedlot, you should report it.

Birdsall said this time of year the winter weather creates what is called inversion.

According to the National Weather Service, a temperature inversion happens when temperature increases with height.

That inversion can lead to pollution, such as smog, being trapped close to the ground.

Odors could be affected the same way, Birdsall said.

He said the fact that the smell coming from feedlots is more noticeable this time of year could be blamed on inversion.

“Sometimes it smells a little worse than normal,” Birdsall said.

The feedlots are not violating any policies, he said, unless there is dust coming from the feedlot, in which case, a complaint could be filed with the county.

Anonymous complaints can be filed by calling 482-4606.

Birdsall said the county generally doesn’t respond to odor complaints.

As many Imperial Valley residents have already realized, with our scenic desert and mountain views comes the caveat that our economy is fueled by things like cattle dairies and feedlots.

Sometimes unpleasant odors come with the territory.

Last update : 26-03-2008 08:22