Pasted below is a press release from the Iowa DNR regarding notices of
violation being issued for the December manure discharges in Carroll County.
-
DNR IDENTIFIES LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS INVOLVED IN BRUSHY CREEK FISH KILL
Notices of violation also sent in Storm Creek, Elk Run investigations
CARROLL * The DNR has notified six Carroll County open feedlot producers
that
they contributed to a December fish kill in Brushy Creek. The DNR has also
sent
notices of violation to two other producers regarding manure releases into
Storm
Creek and Elk Run Creek in Carroll County. Additional notices to other
producers
could follow, as well as further legal action.
"We sent producers a notice of violation, telling them that we had
determined
that manure solids from their open feedlot had reached the creek," said Matt
Rhodes, an environmental specialist in the Atlantic DNR field office.
The following producers received a notice regarding Brushy Creek:
* Rahn Eischeid
* Gary Rupiper
* Neal Rupiper
* James Staiert of Staiert Farm Partnership
* Joe Tomka
* Bob Venner
In addition, two other Carroll County producers received notices of
violation
for allowing manure from their feedlots to reach a stream. However, no fish
kills were observed on those streams. Those producers are:
* Scott Lenz, Elk Run Creek
* Russ Pudenz, Storm Creek
The DNR also found problems on two open feedlots in the Buck Run Creek area,
but
was not able to prove that those lots caused the water quality problems in
the
creek. The DNR is working with those producers to ensure that the problems
are
corrected.
"During the course of these extensive investigations, we were able to
document
a number of maintenance problems that we will be able to share with
producers in
the near future to improve their operations and better protect the
environment,"
said Dan Stipe, supervisor of the DNR's Atlantic field office.
Producers need to be aware that good management and proper maintenance is a
key
in preventing water quality problems, he said.
"That includes anything that would cause sludge deposits or has an
objectionable
color or odor," Stipe added.
The DNR has been investigating Brushy Creek since it received a report of
manure
in the stream on Dec. 16, and Elk Run Creek since a similar report was
received
on Dec. 22. Buck Run Creek was reported to the DNR on Dec. 23, and Storm
Creek
was reported on Dec. 28. For two weeks, DNR staff from Atlantic and DNR
fisheries staff walked up and down these creeks trying to find the sources
of
manure.
Suspected manure releases or fish kills should be reported to your local DNR
field office (during regular business hours) or to the DNR's 24-hour spill
line
at (515) 281-8694 (outside of regular business hours).
For more information, contact Dan Stipe at (712) 243-1934.
-30-
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see:
http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp
|