Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Services Division

For Immediate Release
March 29, 2007

CLARKE COUNTY HOG FACILITY RELEASES MANURE TO CHARITON CREEK

MEDIA CONTACT: Rodney Tucker at (515) 250-1479.

WELDON -- A DeCoster Farms hog facility leased to Iowa Select Farms
has released an estimated 10,000 gallons of manure, possibly more, to
Chariton Creek in Clarke County.

A faulty pipe connection released the manure onto the ground around 3
p.m. Wednesday at the facility, located east of Weldon. The manure
traveled one mile through a tile line before reaching the creek, a
tributary of the Chariton River.

Iowa Select employees stopped the release and constructed a dam across
Chariton Creek one mile downstream from where the tile line discharges
to the creek. Employees are pumping manure from the creek and
land-applying it. The DNR has instructed the facility to pump manure
until ammonia levels are within a normal range. Thursday morning,
elevated ammonia levels reached four miles downstream.

The DNR has not observed a fish kill in the creek or river as of
Thursday afternoon, but will continue to monitor the streams because of
the high ammonia levels, which can be toxic to fish and other aquatic
life.

Iowa Select Farms reported the release to the DNR at 8:20 p.m.
Wednesday. Manure releases must be reported within six hours from
discovery or occurrence.

"Manure releases like these are not only a reminder to make a
commitment to keep piping systems well-maintained, but to call the DNR
right away when a spill occurs. We can help reduce the impact to our
environment," said Rodney Tucker with the DNR's emergency response
section.

The DNR has notified downstream water users, including the City of
Chariton, of the manure release.

The DNR will continue to investigate and may consider possible
enforcement action.

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