In an editorial, the Argus Leader has called for a compromise between those who are trying to establish massive dairy farms in Moody County and those who oppose them.

It's difficult to imagine how such a compromise could come about. It's very much like one country invading another, then calling for a compromise on how much land they will be able to keep.

Those proposing massive dairy farms of two to three thousand head of cattle all in one location are trying to prevent citizens of Moody County from voting on the issue.

The Argus Leader seems to be against the right to vote on such permits. But aren’t those who are most directly affected entitled to some voice in the matter? The amount of manure generated by two to three thousand head of cattle will endanger our water supply in Sioux Falls as well as in other communities downstream from the dairies. The two dairies in Moody County combined will create more waste each and every day than the entire city of Sioux Falls.

Beside death and taxes, there is one thing for certain in this world that manure runs downhill, and that much of it will eventually wind up in the Big Sioux River, which is where we get most of our water in this area.

By sidestepping input from the citizens, small farmers and townspeople alike, those few people supporting such large feedlots are endangering our health. But the amount of money involved seems to make them forget that they are not the only ones on this planet, or in this state. The rest of us are entitled to a quality of life that has nothing to do with making lots of money. For us it means trying to stay healthy, and trying to breathe in air that doesn’t assault our senses.

It would be helpful if the Argus Leader could propose a compromise, but I am not optimistic on this count. Either you let the polluters have their way, or you let citizens live a normal life without the intrusion of manure in every portion of our life.

I don’t think you can have it both ways.