According to a Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) enforcement investigation, the Darin Meyer Farm violated water quality regulations earlier this year at its dairy feedlot near Caledonia, Minn., in Houston County.
MPCA staff inspections in February confirmed that the farm applied liquid manure on frozen and snow-covered fields located near protected surface waters. As melting occurred, manure and manure-contaminated runoff flowed into a nearby ditch and eventually into Riceford Creek, which is a dedicated trout stream. The discharge was not immediately reported to the State Duty Officer and created conditions harmful to aquatic life in the creek.
In addition to paying the $10,000 civil penalty, Darin Meyer Farm has completed corrective actions to resolve the violations and maintain compliance with its permit.
Improper application of manure can lead to runoff that may cause fish kills; however, this case did not involve a fish kill. The pollution that reached the stream created a nuisance and potential for harm but is not linked to a fish kill. The MPCA launched its investigation after receiving a complaint from a resident who spotted the runoff.
MPCA rules and regulations are designed to protect human health and the environment by limiting pollution emissions and discharges from facilities. When companies do not fully comply with regulatory requirements, the resulting pollution can be harmful to people and the environment.
When calculating penalties, the MPCA takes into account how seriously the violations affected or could have affected the environment, and whether they were first-time or repeat violations. The agency also attempts to recover the economic benefit the company gained by failing to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner.
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