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EPA Orders Moo Town Dairy to Cease and Desist Permit Violations

Release Date: 12/13/2007
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(Dallas, Texas - December 13, 2007) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a cease and desist administrative order to Moo Town Dairy near Sulphur Springs, Texas, for violations of the Clean Water Act, including failure to properly design, operate, and maintain wastewater lagoons.

The dairy, located about six miles southeast of Sulphur Springs, on the west side of County Road 2321, is a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO). The facility has been ordered to immediately correct all permit violations. It has been given 14 days to update its Pollution Prevention Plan, 30 days to follow proper animal carcass disposal requirements, and 30 days to lower the liquid levels in its wastewater lagoons to ensure adequate freeboard is available. The dairy has also been ordered to ensure all process-generated wastewater from its commodity barns and silage bunkers drain into the lagoons.

“EPA will continue to vigorously enforce our nation’s environmental laws through a strong enforcement program,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “This action is a reminder to those who own and operate animal feeding operations of their responsibility to protect public health and the environment.”

On October 10, 2007, an EPA inspector, along with representatives from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), conducted an on-site inspection in response to a citizen’s complaint. Numerous violations were found requiring compliance action. The dairy was also cited for sediment buildup in one lagoon and ordered to restore it to proper operating specifications and acquire proper certifications for lagoon design.

Based on these findings, the owner and operator of the Moo Town Dairy has been ordered to immediately take action to bring the facility into compliance with the Clean Water Act.

EPA audio file is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/audio.htm#audio121307_mootown