Tonopah residents continue to raise alarms about the environmental and health risks posed by Hickman’s Family Farms, particularly following the recent avian influenza outbreak that led to mass poultry burials.
A new report from KENS 5 highlights ongoing environmental studies at the burial site, underscoring the potential threat to Tonopah’s well water and air quality.
This development aligns with STOPP’s (Save Tonopah Oppose Poultry Plant) mission to protect our community from the harmful impacts of Hickman’s massive egg facility, a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) housing millions of chickens.
The KENS 5 article, “Environmental studies underway at Hickman chicken burial site,” details how the disposal of millions of chickens during the avian flu crisis has sparked concerns about groundwater contamination and air pollution.
These burials, conducted on the 360-acre facility, pose significant risks to the community’s water supply and exacerbate existing issues with ammonia emissions, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and noxious odors.
STOPP has long advocated for accountability, and these studies are a critical step toward understanding the full scope of the environmental damage.
Our organization has been vocal about the need for rigorous oversight of Hickman’s operations.
Posts on our blog, such as “Protecting Tonopah’s Well Water: Understanding the Risks of Mass Poultry Burial” (June 3, 2025), have highlighted how improper waste management threatens the health of residents and the environment.
The KENS 5 report reinforces these concerns, noting that experts are now investigating the burial site to assess potential leaching into groundwater—a vital resource for Tonopah’s rural community.
This issue is part of a broader pattern of environmental and health challenges tied to Hickman’s CAFO.
From lawsuits filed against the farm for nuisance odors and pollution (see our post “Hickman’s Family Farms Sued in Federal Court” from September 6, 2023) to the devastating avian flu outbreaks detailed in “Catastrophic Avian Flu Outbreak at Hickman’s Family Farms” (June 3, 2025), STOPP remains committed to pushing for cleaner air, safer water, and sustainable farming practices.
We urge residents to stay informed and support our advocacy efforts.
The environmental studies at Hickman’s burial site are a crucial opportunity to demand transparency and accountability.
Visit the full KENS 5 article here for more details, and consider donating to STOPP to help us continue our fight for a healthier, safer Tonopah.
