AG Van Hollen: Announces judgment requiring Kewaunee County livestock farm to pay $55,412.32 for violations related to manure spill in Kewaunee River

For More Information Contact:
Dana Brueck 608/266-1221

MADISON — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has announced that Stahl Brothers Dairy, LLC, a concentrated animal feeding operation in Luxemburg, Kewaunee County, has been ordered to pay $55,412.32 in forfeitures, assessments, restitution, costs and fees for violations of Wisconsin’s environmental protection laws.

The violations are related to a manure spill into the Kewaunee River in Kewaunee County in April 2009.

Stahl Brothers operates under a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit, which requires all manure storage facilities be operated and maintained to prevent discharges to navigable waters. State law also requires that those who possess or control a hazardous substance such as manure, which is discharged, to reimburse the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for actual and necessary expenses incurred in taking corrective action in response to the discharge.

According to the complaint, at least 100,000 gallons of manure was discharged through a tile line in the sidewall of Stahl Brothers Dairy’s manure storage pit and into the Kewaunee River in April 2009. The spill adversely affected the river at least 12.9 miles downstream from the discharge point and required emergency response action to clean up.

The order requires that Stahl Brothers pay $15,827.50 in forfeitures, assessments, costs and fees, $24,584.82 in reimbursement for the DNR’s response costs, and $15,000 in restitution.

“The settlement of this case provides assurance to the public that large livestock operations will take the steps necessary to ensure compliance with Wisconsin permit requirements that are designed to protect state water resources,” Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said. “The Wisconsin Department of Justice will continue to work with the DNR to ensure Wisconsin’s citizens and natural resources are protected through compliance.”

Assistant Attorney General JoAnne F. Kloppenburg prosecuted the case for the state.

Copies of the Judgment and the Stipulation and Order for Judgment are available at the following links:

http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/files/stipulation-order-stahl-brothers-20110922.pdf

http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/files/judgment-stahl-brothers-20110922.pdf