Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Dan Olson, 218-846-7390 Toll-free: 1-800-657-3864 Hoffman, Minn. - As part of an agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), New Horizon Dairy near Hoffman has paid a $17,400 penalty and taken steps to correct alleged manure storage and over-application problems. The agreement follows an MPCA inspection in 2005 that revealed over-application of manure on nearby fields, and that runoff from the fields entered a nearby ditch. In addition, the dairy was using an unpermitted manure storage basin. The over-application of manure and use of the unpermitted storage basin were attributed to lack of capacity in the existing permitted basins. The dairy expanded its basins in 2006 to meet storage needs. The facility has also hired a consulting firm to assist with recordkeeping, employee training and land application of manure. The MPCA regulates the collection, transportation, storage, processing and disposal of animal manure, and provides assistance to counties and the livestock industry. More information about feedlot regulation and assistance is available on the MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us. When calculating penalties, the MPCA takes into account how seriously the violation affected the environment, whether it is a first time or repeat violation, and how promptly the violation was reported to appropriate authorities. It also attempts to recover the calculated economic benefit gained by failure to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner. For a comprehensive list of enforcement actions by the MPCA, go to the agency Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/newscenter/enforcement.html.