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PA NEVADA DAIRY AND MANAGER INDICTED FOR WATER VIOLATIONS
Release Date: 10/02/98
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1998
NEVADA DAIRY AND MANAGER INDICTED FOR WATER VIOLATIONS
Eric Goedhart, manager of Ponderosa Dairy in Amargosa, Nev., and Rockview Dairies Inc., in Downey, Calif., were indicted on Sept. 24, in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California in Fresno for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act. Rockview Dairies Inc., also owns Ponderosa Dairy. Goedhart and Rockview are charged with illegally discharging 1.7 million gallons of dairy waste water contaminated with urine and feces in February. The wastewater flowed approximately 8 miles across the desert and then into the Amargosa River in Inyo County, Calif. Exposure to fecal coliform and other pathogens in animal wastes can cause intestinal and other infections in humans and can also be harmful to aquatic life. Goedhart is also charged with making a false statement during the investigation when he allegedly blamed a former employee for the discharge. If convicted Goedhart faces a maximum of up to eight years imprisonment and/or fines of up to $250,000. Rockview faces a fine of up to $500,000, if convicted. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, the California Department of Fish and Game and the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection.
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