The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a $4,000 fine to Crosman Land and Livestock, LLC, for a manure spill that polluted a tributary of the North Raccoon River in Greene County. The spill, discovered on Aug. 21, 2023, was traced back to the 2,200-head swine confinement facility owned by Crosman Livestock. Investigators found high ammonia levels and zero dissolved oxygen in the waterway near Cooper, along with black discoloration and a strong manure odor. The contamination was linked to a previously unknown tile line in the facility’s manure storage basin. The producer assisted the DNR with the cleanup efforts, including pumping contaminated water from the creek and flushing the county’s drainage lines. Following a DNR violation notice in September 2023, Crosman Livestock developed a plan of action, which included removing faulty tile, repairing the basin liner, and installing a groundwater monitoring system. The company also pumped manure-laden water from the creek as part of cleanup efforts. Under the administrative consent order, Crosman Livestock must maintain its corrective measures and monitor the basin to prevent future violations. The DNR says the producer did receive economic benefit from the spill and was not assessed on that factor. Of the $4,000 fine, $3,000 was attributed to the resultant water quality damage and $1,000 for culpability.
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