Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Information Officer Contact: Nancy Miller (507) 280-3590 Technical Contacts: Charles Peterson (507) 280-3591 Jerome Hildebrandt (507) 280-2993 Toll-free: (800) 657-3864 Rochester, Minn. -- Two Minnesota livestock operations have undertaken measures to reduce odors as a result of enforcement settlements with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). The settlements also include civil penalties of $5,000 each. The facilities are Triple J Land and Livestock LLP, a 2,200 head cattle-raising operation near Fairmont, Minn, and Diamond K Dairy LLP, a 1,190 head dairy operation near Altura, Minn. Both dairies have installed air monitoring equipment costing $10,000 each. The monitors detect hydrogen sulfide emissions, which cause odors. Readings from the monitors will determine if the existing measures are adequately reducing hydrogen sulfide emissions or if additional actions are required. The Triple J facility contains two earthen manure storage basins. In response to odor complaints, the MPCA deployed a continuous air monitor at the facility. The monitor measured hydrogen sulfide emissions in one-half hour averages, consistent with the state ambient hydrogen sulfide air quality standard. The state standard allows two 30 part per billion hydrogen sulfide readings in any five-day period and two 50 part per billion hydrogen sulfide readings per year. The monitor at Triple J was in place for 69 days and measured 80 values exceeding 30 parts per billion and 67 values exceeding 50 parts per billion. The Diamond K facility contains three earthen manure storage basins. In response to odor complaints, the MPCA deployed a continuous air monitor at the facility. The monitor at Diamond K also recorded hydrogen sulfide emissions in violation of state standards. After being in place for 138 days, the monitor measured 230 values exceeding 30 parts per billion and 69 values exceeding 50 parts per billion. The MPCA notified both parties of the violations and worked with the facilities to make changes to site maintenance and manure basin management practices that would reduce the potential for hydrogen sulfide emissions. For more information on feedlot odors, refer to fact sheet at/hot/legislature/factsheets/feedodor.pdf Agreements such as these are one of the MPCA's many tools used to achieve compliance with environmental laws. When calculating penalties, MPCA staff take into account how seriously the violation(s) affected the environment, whether it is a first time or repeat violation and how promptly the violation was reported to appropriate authorities. For a comprehensive list of enforcement actions by the MPCA, refer to the agency Web site at/newscenter/enforcement.html