Wouldn’t you want a say if a factory farm was slated for construction near your home, bringing on the possibility of pollution and the merciless slaughter of animals? In Iowa, new rules could limit public input over the permit approval process for confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). The process currently includes public concerns to be voiced before the Environmental Protection Commission (EPA) about new CAFOs that are proposed. But now the EPA is considering doing away with this democratic part of the process and only acknowledging input from representatives applying for a permit, the county board of supervisors, and the Department of Natural Resources. Iowans have until Thursday, August 6, to make a comment on the new rule. Speak up while you can!