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Complaint Filed Against Heckman Ranches (White Bird, Idaho) for Alleged Clean Water Act Violations

Release Date: 9/19/2000
Contact Information: Bub Loiselle
[email protected]
(206) 553-6901

September 19, 2000 - - - - - - - - - - 00-053


For Immediate release

As part of an on-going initiative to protect Idaho’s water quality, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a Compliance Order and a $40,000 Civil Complaint against a central Idaho cattle ranch. The Order and Complaint allege that Heckman Ranches, Inc. and Heckman Cattle Company’s White Bird Creek Facility disposed of manure-laden waste into White Bird and Price Creeks, which are tributaries to the Salmon River. This past March, EPA conducted an inspection at the facility and observed animal wastes and other pollutants being discharged into the creeks. Such improper waste disposal practices and subsequent pollution are violations of the Clean Water Act.

According to Bub Loiselle, manager of EPA’s water permit compliance unit in Seattle, diligently protecting water quality should be the foundation of every cattle operation.

“Ranchers and farmers -- perhaps better than others -- recognize the true value of clean water,” said Loiselle. “Serving orders and issuing penalties does help to protect water quality, but it’s also a matter of fairness. When other facilities are doing a good job managing their waste and going the extra mile to protect human health and the environment, it’s only fair that EPA work hard to make sure that there’s a level playing field through vigilant enforcement.”

In a related matter, on August 31 EPA designated the Heckman Companies’ Salmon River facility as a concentrated animal feeding operation and a “significant contributor of pollutants.” The facility, which holds cattle, but less than generally targeted for inspection under the Clean Water Act, has received numerous citizen complaints over the past three years. The designation could subject the Salmon River facility to Clean Water enforcement for any future discharges of animal waste to the Salmon River.

Cattle waste can contain a host of harmful bacteria and viruses including E.coli and salmonella. It can also carry the potentially lethal cryptosporidium parasite and other microorganisms, which can cause illnesses such as gastroenteritis, fever, kidney failure, and even death. Cattle waste is also typically high in nutrients which can cause decreased oxygen levels in the receiving water. These decreased oxygen levels can adversely impact many species of fish, especially trout, both during their developmental stages and at maturity.

In addition to the proposed penalty in the Complaint, EPA’s Order requires the respondents to:

• Immediately cease all discharges of pollutants to navigable waters which originate from the Facility including, but not limited to, discharges related to land application, confinement areas, silage piles, or waste storage ponds.
• Conduct daily visual monitoring of all potential sources of pollutant discharges to navigable waters which originate from the Facility, including fields subject to land application of wastes, confinement areas, silage piles, and waste storage ponds.
• Develop a monitoring log and maintain the monitoring records at the feedlot for at least three years.

The Heckman Companies have 30 days from receipt of the complaint to respond to EPA, either by paying the proposed penalty in full, or by directly admitting, denying, or explaining each of the factual allegations contained in this Complaint. They may also arrange for an informal settlement conference with EPA.