Iowa DNR News
Environmental Services Division

For immediate release	March 21, 2007

FISH KILL IN HARRISON COUNTY DUE TO BREAK IN MANURE PIPE

MEDIA CONTACT:  Thad Nanfito at (712) 243-1934 (Atlantic DNR Field
Office) or (712) 250-0117 (cell).

WOODBINE -- A break in an underground pipe near Woodbine in Harrison
County has caused manure from a 20,080- head swine finishing confinement
to run into Elk Creek, causing a fish kill.

The pipe that broke was new, added about one month ago when a new
pumping station was added at the facility.

The break occurred at a Nebraska Pork Partners facility Tuesday morning
between 7 and 9 am. The producer did not contact the DNR until after 5
p.m. on Tuesday. Nebraska Pork Partners is headquartered in Columbus,
Neb.

The leakage was stopped Tuesday morning, but DNR specialists reported
that manure foam was visible three miles downstream.

"It's too early to say how many or what kinds of fish have been
killed, but the ammonia levels in Elk Creek are about 50 parts per
million (PPM)," said Dan Olson of the Atlantic DNR field office. Where
Elk Creek runs into Willow Creek, about five miles downstream, ammonia
levels drop to about five to seven ppm.

"We have people at the site taking water quality tests and assessing
the damage," he added.

Olson said that fish are likely to die at about seven to 10 ppm,
depending upon the temperature and acidity of the water. Fisheries staff
from the DNR will do a fish count to determine the extent of the fish
kill.

The DNR will continue to investigate the incident and monitor the
clean-up. Legal action will be considered as appropriate.

Livestock and poultry producers, and manure applicators are required by
law to report manure releases within six hours of their discovery or
onset. Producers and the general public can call the 24-hour spill line
at (515) 281-8694 to report a release.

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Neila Seaman, MPA
Director
Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA  50310
[log in to unmask]
515-277-8868

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