ROCK VALLEY, Iowa (Legal Newsline) — The Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Jan. 19 that Meadowvale Dairy LLC will pay $160,000 and make changes to its business practices after allegations of violating the Clean Water Act at its animal feeding operations in Rock Valley, Iowa.
“This settlement sends a clear message that concentrated animal feeding operations must comply with the Clean Water Act in order to prevent future discharges into our waters,” said John C. Cruden, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The agreement requires remedial measures to reduce pollutants and protect aquatic ecosystems in the short term, as well as third party auditing to ensure long-term compliance with the terms of the consent decree and the controlling permits.”
According to the Justice Department, Meadowvale has violated its two National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits multiple times since 2002. The two main issues are fish kills in tributaries that lead to the Big Sioux River and unauthorized discharges of stormwater runoff into the tributaries.
“The vast majority of animal feeding operations adhere to the law and actively seek to be responsible stewards of the environment,” said Mark Hague, EPA Region 7 regional administrator. “The settlement helps ensure a level playing field for all operators by holding those who violate environmental regulations accountable.”