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. - 30 - 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 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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 Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/