Hawaii Dairy Farms Status Update
News Release from Hawaii Dairy Farms, March 21, 2017
Today the Fifth Circuit Court ruled that Hawaii Dairy Farms is now required to do an Environmental Impact Statement, which revokes all of our permits and approvals to date. While this news is disappointing for Hawaii Dairy Farms, we believe it could be devastating for animal agriculture in Hawaii.
(Translation: Our boss, luxury resort developer Pierre Omidyar, has achieved his hidden goal. By voluntarily filing an EIS for our dairy farm on Kauai, Omidyar has now brought about a court ruling for the first time ever mandating EIS for farmers statewide. Next year, the Legislature will be expected to act. And the best part—Omidyar looks like the victim here when he is actually the perpetrator.)
The really unfortunate news is that this decision effectively lumps the dairy into the same category as a wastewater treatment plant, which sets a dangerous precedent for farmers and ranchers. Today’s decision could potentially force all future animal agricultural endeavors that are striving to be more sustainable and environmentally sensitive to produce an Environmental Assessment before beginning operations. This environmental review has never before been required and would likely prove too onerous and expensive for the average farmer or rancher.
(Omidyar's minions sound soooo sincere. They really have no idea what their boss is up to.)
We will move forward with our new second Draft EIS based on feedback from regulators. This decision won’t affect us as much as it will affect smaller farming projects that cannot afford the increased costs from these new regulatory hurdles.
Hawaii Dairy Farms plans on appealing this decision because this dangerous precedent cannot stand if Hawaii hopes to spur new agricultural projects to meet its goal of providing more local food for our island community.
---30---
Reality: Enviros win 90% in Hawaii Supreme Court
Reality: Pierre Omidyar: The Secret Empire of a Resort Developer
HNN: Permits revoked for controversial Kauai dairy
KGI: Judge revokes dairy permits
KGI: Learn from dairy on the Big Island
PBN: Court ruling delays planned dairy operation on Kauai’s South Shore
2012: Video: South Park Ridicules Kauai Malihini