More than 6,000 fish killed when liquid manure misapplied to local farm field. Dairy and manure applicator penalized.
Local residents besieged by manure runoff from farm field during recent storm. $20,000 penalty assessed.
Thousands of gallons of liquid whey leaks, causing death of more than 36,700 fish and other aquatic animals. Farmer agrees to pay more than $50,000 in penalties.
Agricultural Producers Encouraged to Learn and Follow
Environmental Regulations and Best Management Practices
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Manure Application
Best Management Practices
- Adjust application rates to avoid ponding and surface water runoff.
- Ensure adequate setbacks from grassed waterways.
- Monitor fields during and after application for runoff or subsurface drainage.
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Headlines such as these are from cases here in Ohio. Ohio EPA and
inspectors from the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Livestock
Environmental Permitting Program are sometimes called to investigate
spills from agricultural producers. The Ohio Department of Natural
Resources and Ohio EPA respond to fish kills. In concert, all three agencies
are working to reduce the number of spills and fish kills across the state by educating agricultural producers and encouraging use of best management practices.
In addition to providing education and financial assistance, the State
agencies also work together to identify and prosecute cases of releases
from farming operations that cause water pollution and fish kills.
What Causes Spills?
In some cases, spills are the result of unknowingly misapplying manure in an attempt to dispose of it. In others, there is an obvious, and sometimes blatant disregard for the law. It is those cases that the three agencies, along with the U.S. EPA and Department of Justice, want to address.
“It is not our goal to harm or hinder agricultural producers,” said Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski. “However, just like any other discharger in the state, they must follow the rules and regulations. The goal of prosecution is to deter other similar incidents and encourage compliance among agricultural facilities.”
Assistance Available
Incidents that cause environmental damage can be prevented when agricultural producers learn about the regulations and best management practices for manure management. An abundance of information is available to assist producers with manure management. Some programs offer financial assistance.
Technical assistance is available from the local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service and The Ohio State University Extension Service for developing conservation plans, including best management practices for nutrient management, manure management, and practices to minimize impacts to water quality, while improving crop and livestock production.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Environmental Quality Incentive Program offers the opportunity for financial assistance for installation and implementation of best management practices.
Local grant opportunities, including implementation incentives to encourage new best management practices,
also may be available.
More Information
For more information on manure management or agricultural best management practices, contact the ODA Livestock Environmental Permitting Program at (614) 387-0470 or lepp@agri.ohio.gov or a local soil and water conservation district.
Citizens who observe possible problems should contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Livestock Environmental Permitting Program at (614) 387-0470 or a local soil and water conservation district. To report a
spill, contact the 24-hour Ohio EPA hotline (1-800-282-9378).