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EPA Issues Order and Files $11,000 Complaint Against Woodburn Area Dairy

Release Date: 4/19/2000
Contact Information: Chae Park
park.chae@epamail.epa.gov
(206) 553-1441

April 19 , 1999 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 00-23


For Immediate release

As part of an on-going initiative to protect Oregon’s water quality, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a Compliance Order and an $11,000 Civil Complaint against an Oregon dairy farm. The Order and Complaint allege that the Coelho Dairy, 18624 Arbor Grove Road, Woodburn, disposed of manure-laden waste into Case Creek, which is a tributary to the Willamette River.

This past January, EPA conducted an inspection at the dairy and observed manure-laden wastewater from the dairy running into Case Creek. Such improper waste disposal practices and subsequent pollution are violations of the Clean Water Act.

According to Bub Loiselle, manager of EPA’s water permit compliance unit in Seattle, diligently protecting water quality should be the foundation of every dairy operation.

“Dairymen and farmers -- perhaps better than others -- recognize the true value of clean water,” said Loiselle. “Serving orders and issuing penalties does help to protect water quality, but it’s also a matter of fairness. When other dairies are doing a good job managing their waste and going the extra mile to protect human health and the environment, it’s only fair that EPA and the Oregon Department of Agriculture work hard to make sure that there’s a level playing field through vigilant enforcement.”

Dairy waste can contain a host of harmful bacteria and viruses including E.Coli and salmonella. It can also carry the potentially lethal cryptosporidium parasite and other microorganisms, which can cause illnesses such as gastroenteritis, fever, kidney failure, and even death. Dairy waste is also typically high in nutrients which can cause decreased oxygen levels in the receiving water. These decreased oxygen levels can adversely impact many species of fish, especially trout and salmon, both during their developmental stages and at maturity.

EPA’s dairy inspections are part of a cooperative effort with the Oregon Department of Agriculture to bring the state’s controlled animal feeding operations (CAFOs) into compliance with state and federal safe drinking water and clean water standards.

In addition to the proposed penalty in the Complaint, EPA’s Order requires the respondent to:

• Immediately cease all discharges of pollutants to navigable waters which originate from the Facility including, but not limited to, discharges related to land application, confinement areas, silage piles, or waste storage ponds.
• Conduct daily visual monitoring of all potential sources of pollutant discharges to navigable waters which originate from the Facility, including fields subject to land application of wastes, confinement areas, silage piles, and waste storage ponds.
• Develop a monitoring log and maintain the monitoring records at the Farm for at least three years.

The Coehlo dairy has 30 days from receipt of the complaint to respond to EPA, either by paying the proposed penalty in full, or by directly admitting, denying, or explaining each of the factual allegations contained in this Complaint. They may also arrange for an informal settlement conference with EPA.

A public comment period on this administrative action has begun and persons wishing to comment on EPA's proposed action or to become participants in this action may do so by submitting their address and telephone number, along with written comments, to the Regional Hearing Clerk (ORC-158)U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10, 1200 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101. The public comment period will end May 14, 2000.