Community Petition to Halt Construction Prime Poultry Processing Plant 635 Smith Ridge Road, Campbellsville, KY  42718 The undersigned residents and concerned citizens of Campbellsville, Kentucky, strongly oppose the construction and operation of the Prime Chicken Processing Plant at 635 Smith Ridge Road. This facility would bring large-scale industrial animal processing directly into our community and potentially pose serious risks to public health, environmental safety, and property values.   Our Concerns Include: Environmental and Health Hazards Odor and Air Pollution: Processing plants are known for emitting strong, persistent odors due to the handling of blood, feathers, internal organs, and other waste materials. These odors can travel significant distances and may severely reduce quality of life for nearby residents and negatively impact businesses. 
 Waste Lagoon and Spray-Field Disposal System: The facility will use a lagoon system to collect wastewater from chicken processing operations, with excess effluent sprayed onto nearby land. This can present serious risks of ground and surface water contamination, especially during rain events. These systems are known to release ammonia, pathogens, and foul odors, as well as contribute to soil and water degradation. 
 Biohazard Risks: Poultry processing creates waste that can harbor bacteria like Campylobacter and Salmonella, common bacteria found in chickens that can cause serious foodborne illness in humans. If waste or runoff containing these pathogens is not properly managed, it can contaminate soil, water, and pose health risks to people, pets, livestock, and wildlife. 
Real World Example: Communities in Missouri have already experienced severe consequences from meatpacking waste being sprayed on land, including burning eyes, nausea, and water contamination near homes. In a June 2024 report by the Missouri Independent, residents described the stench from processing waste lagoons as “unbearable” and reported serious health and environmental effects. This highlights the very real risks our community faces if the Prime Poultry facility’s waste is mishandled or sprayed near homes, farms, or waterways.
“Missouri communities divided over spreading meatpacking sludge,” Missouri Independent, June 6, 2024. 
Industrial Traffic and Impact on Bypass: Though located along the new bypass, this facility will still significantly increase semi-truck traffic by transporting live poultry in and processed product out in a residential neighborhood. This increases wear on public roads, noise pollution, and raises biosecurity concerns related to the spread of poultry borne diseases via truck routes if they are not cleaned properly. 
Such a facility so close to the lake could produce a foul smell which creates a negative impression for visitors and tourists en route to Green River Lake. 
Depreciation of Property Values: Industrial poultry processing operations are well-documented for reducing nearby property values due to odor, noise, truck traffic, and environmental risk. 
Threat to Green River Lake – A Key Tourism and Environmental Resource Green River Lake lies approximately 4 miles (by air) from the proposed facility and is a vital source of tourism, recreation, and economic activity for our city and county. 
Runoff and nutrient loading from the plant could contribute to harmful algae blooms in the lake, which degrade water quality, harm aquatic life, and reduce the recreational appeal and economic value of this treasured natural resource. We Ask That You: Reevaluate the environmental and public health implications of this project, especially given the absence of local zoning protections in this area. 
Place an immediate moratorium on construction until a transparent and comprehensive public review is conducted. 
Hold a public forum so that nearby residents, business owners, and Green River Lake stakeholders can be formally heard. We respectfully request that this project be reconsidered in the best interest of the people, land, water, and future of Campbellsville.