From: Press Releases from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources

For immediate release: September 11, 2009

MANURE DISCHARGE LED TO MITCHELL COUNTY FISH KILL

SAINT ANSGAR - Hog manure discharged over a cropfield caused a Mitchell 
County fish kill on Monday, a DNR investigation has found.

Anders Knudsen, of Saint Ansgar, pumped 25,000 gallons of waste from a hog 
nursery building to a nearby cropfield. The manure then ran over the field 
and into Otter Creek, causing a fish kill along almost four miles of stream. 
Manure has high levels of ammonia, which is toxic to fish and other aquatic 
life at relatively low levels.

The majority of the more than 150,000 fish killed were minnows, shiners, 
chubs, dace and other small fish. The kill also claimed more than 200 
sunfish and around 20 smallmouth bass. The DNR will seek $34,408.50 in 
restitution for the fish killed.

Two citizens discovered the fish kill, located a half-mile south of the 
Iowa-Minnesota border, early Monday morning and reported it to the DNR.

The DNR has instructed Knudsen to construct a berm at the edge of his field 
to prevent any additional discharge to the creek. The DNR will also consider 
additional enforcement action.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Vansteenburg or Michelle Johnson, DNR Mason City Field 
Office, at (641) 424-4073 or [log in to unmask] or 
[log in to unmask]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]

Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information:
http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see:
 http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp