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EPA Inspections Remedy Clean Water Act Violations by Poultry Operation near Green Ridge, Mo.

Release Date: 05/06/2014
Contact Information: Ben Washburn, 913-551-7364, [email protected]

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Lenexa, Kan., May 6, 2014) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency personnel conducted a series of inspections in May and October 2013 at the H and M Farms, LLC, a poultry operation near Green Ridge, Mo. As a result of the inspections, the owner of the facility has agreed to remedy Clean Water Act (CWA) violations occurring on-site.

EPA inspections and sampling documented pollutant discharges from the 384,000-bird facility to tributaries of Elk Branch and Camp Branch. The facility’s confinement barns and mortality composting buildings were not properly maintained, and poultry litter and manure was stockpiled outside, causing discharges during wet weather.

Poultry litter and manure and wastewater discharges from concentrated animal feeding operations and their land application areas can violate water quality standards, pose risks to human health, threaten aquatic life and its habitat, and impair the use and enjoyment of waterways.

“Proper maintenance of outdoor areas by livestock and poultry producers is an important step to ensure CWA compliance and to protect our waters and human health,” Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. “Even though animals may be confined indoors, improper maintenance of the outdoor areas, such as manure stockpiles, may result in violations.”

As part of the settlement agreement, H and M Farms has agreed to pay a $47,700 civil penalty and certified that it is now in compliance with the Clean Water Act. The consent agreement is subject to a 40-day public comment period before it becomes final. Information on how to submit comments is available online.