Poultry firm remedies Clean Water Act violations

The owner of a poultry site has agreed to remedy violations following an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inspection.

H and M Farms, Green Ridge, Missouri, agreed to pay a $47,700 civil penalty and certified that it is now in compliance with the Clean Water Act.

EPA inspections and sampling documented pollutant discharges from the 384,000-bird facility to tributaries.

The facility’s confinement barns and mortality composting buildings were not properly maintained, and poultry litter and manure was stockpiled outside, causing discharges during wet weather.

“Proper maintenance of outdoor areas by livestock and poultry producers is an important step to ensure CWA compliance and to protect our waters and human health,” said Karl Brooks, regional administrator.

“Even though animals may be confined indoors, improper maintenance of the outdoor areas, such as manure stockpiles, may result in violations.”