Property lines determine where our land ends and our neighbor's land
begins. In nature, plants and animals do not acknowledge these boundaries.
Really, you and your neighbor own the same land—or ecosystems—just
different locations. This means what you and your neighbor do to your
land affects the ecosystems in your area.
Bad Neighbors
 What
types of land uses might affect your neighbor? What you do on your
property might affect the scenery. Do you have the right to put
up a giant billboard if it affects your neighbor’s view? What
about smells? Some neighbors might complain about feedlot air pollution,
including unpleasant and sometimes dangerous gases that come from
large animal operations. Erosion is another problem. Would you like
to have dirt constantly blowing on your property and in through
your windows on a warm day? Some people feel that their neighbors
do not have a say in how a landowner uses private land. Others expect
consideration from their neighbors and use the golden rule when
it comes to land use. And some people want the protection of a law
to guarantee certain land use standards.
Ownership Rights
 This
brings up ownership rights. What do you own when you own land? The
law can be interpreted in many different ways. Most of the time
the law dictates ownership rights with the use of zoning. Some land
doesn't have zoning laws or has limited zoning. In these areas,
some ownership rights are simply decided by the owner. Depending
on his or her decisions, this may cause some neighbors to wish for
even more legislation to protect their rights. Other neighbors may
feel that owners have a right to do whatever they want with their
land.
So, the law can draw the line on some ownership rights issues,
but who draws the line when the law doesn’t exist? The landowners?
The neighbors? Both?
Neighbors United
 If
a working landscape is going to be successful, humans need to find
a way to work with their environment and their neighbors. Compromises
and communication may provide the answers to questions about neighbors'
rights and responsibilities.
 What
do think?
What rights and responsibilities should people have over their private
property? Who gets to make these decisions?
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Hog
Confinements and Manure Management
 What's
that smell?! Is it the stink of hog manure or the sweet smell of
money?
More
Mining
the Missing Loess Hill
 Mining,
for fill dirt and limestone, is a controversial topic in the Loess
Hills. Most residents believe the heart of the Hills is the front
face—or west side. It's the most visible and the most fragile.
More
The
Law of the Land
 Owning
a house in a town or a farm in the country can guarantee a couple
of things
More
IPTV Market
to Market Links
Large
scale hog production controversy lingers
Today, as one of the nation’s most prolific pork producers,
and despite a series of legal challenges, premium standard farms
remains a prime example of the influence that a large, well-financed
corporation can wield in rural America.
Iowa
Wrestles With Landmark CAFO Bill
In recent years states in a variety of ways have come to grips with
issues provoked by large-scale animal feeding operations.
Water
Issues Trouble Rural America
Grain processors are concerned the Mississippi would become the
major grain transportation route causing the price of shipping to
rise as much as 40%. Farmers are worried the river would return
to its destructive flood- prone ways.
Riverkeepers
Target Big Pork
In recent days hefty fines have been levied on pork operations found
guilty of violating environmental regulations. Most of the fines
were attributable to the improper handling and disposal of manure.
PBS
NewsHour Online Links
Vermiculite,
a rock used in insulation and potting soil, was mined in Libby,
Montana. Unfortunately, so was asbestos—a
mineral that causes lung damage. Learn how the residents of Libby
are dealing with the fallout.
The Environmental
Protection Agency and a neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana
square off. The neighborhood was built on a landfill and over 140
toxic chemicals are present. The EPA is willing to clean up the
area, but won't relocate the residents. Whose responsibility is
this?
Portland, Oregon
has an "urban
growth boundary." This boundary is intended to limit the
growth of the city into the rural (and agricultural) countryside.
People for and against the growth boundary discuss the issue.
Web
Site Links
Iowa Department
of Natural Resources
The Water Quality division of the Iowa DNR is responsible for water
quality within the state. Animal Feeding Operations (cattle and
hog lots) are
under great debate. This site provides the regulations for these
operations.
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