Iowa DNR News

Environmental Services Division

 


For immediate release                                                                             April 13, 2009 


 

SPRING RAINS BRING MORE THAN FLOWERS - MANURE, ANHYDROUS AND ILLEGAL BURNING

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Ken Hessenius at (712) 262-4177 or [log in to unmask]

 

DES MOINES - Spring is the season when crop and animal producers are eager to get into the field, but getting in a hurry can result in a spill or accident.

 

"Folks just need to remember to slow down a little, take the corners really easy-especially into fields-and have a plan if they do have a spill," said Ken Hessenius, supervisor of the Spencer DNR field office.

 

Country roads are soft and road edges are very soft, making accidents more likely. 

 

Hessenius reported one manure spill about three miles southwest of Cherokee, an overturned but non-leaking anhydrous tank, a manure complaint near Hinton and a complaint on open burning in Havelock over the weekend in his 16-county area. 

 

The manure spill was the only material to reach a stream. Fortunately, the commercial applicator, Kevin Cedar of Cedar Pumping, had a plan when his driver's tanker overturned Friday evening in Cherokee County. Cedar responded quickly, placing a hay bale barrier into the road ditch. He was able to retain most of the 6,000 gallons of manure and pumped it to another truck. 

 

Between 500 and 1,000 gallons of liquid manure reached nearby Perry Creek after flowing into a road ditch and down an underground tile line. 

 

Hessenius advises producers to carry appropriate emergency gear and phone numbers. 

 

"Be aware of where the creeks and tile inlets are located, have your spill kit, including covers for tile intakes and big bales, ready to go," he added. 

 

Hessenius emphasized the importance of training new employees, especially those who haven't driven heavy equipment. "Reminding drivers about staying off the road edges and turning wide can pay off," he said. "Making sure they know what to do in an emergency is even more important."

 

Report spills immediately to the 24-hour State Emergency Spill line at (515) 281-8694. Spills must be reported as soon as possible, but no later than six hours after they occurred or are discovered. 

 

Environmental staff at the local DNR field office will be able to advise producers on how to clean up the spill and prevent further environmental damage. Local fire departments or hazardous materials teams respond as appropriate to releases of hazardous materials like anhydrous and other dry or liquid fertilizer.

 

- 30 -

 

 

Karen Grimes

Communications Bureau

Iowa DNR

502 East Ninth Street

Des Moines, IA 50319-0034

(515) 281-5135

 



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