Prairie Rivers Network opposed unnecessary pollution
Prairie Rivers Network applauds the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s September 2, 2011 decision to protect clean water by denying Traditions Dairy’s request to fill in headwaters of a stream in rural Jo Daviess County in order to build a manure pond.
Traditions Dairy, a proposed 5,500-head dairy, would be the largest in the state. Unfortunately, the dairy would be near (and on!) sensitive streams that are the headwaters of the Apple River – enjoyed by Jo Daviess County residents and visitors for fishing, canoeing, and other activities. The site is also underlain by karst – a rock formation that allows pollution from the ground surface to easily percolate belowground to contaminate drinking water supplies. The site is not an ideal location for safely managing large quantities of cow manure and liquid waste.
Prairie Rivers Network and partners objected to Illinois EPA issuing a water quality certification (a type of water pollution permit) for the project. Our January 2010 letter pointed out that the applicant hadn’t fully evaluated the potential damage the project would cause streams and groundwater, and therefore had not adequately attempted to avoid and minimize potential impacts, as required by law.
Illinois EPA issued a statement explaining the reasons for their permit denial – those reasons echo the issues raised in our letter.
Illinois EPA may still approve Traditions Dairy’s permit, “provided deficiencies identified in the denial letter are resolved.”
Traditions Dairy has been under construction since 2008 and is not yet operational because of permitting delays and a citizen lawsuit. The future of this site is unknown now that the water quality certification has been denied. There have been reports of a land sale and building dismantling. The dairy is already in hot water with the Attorney General’s office due to an illegal discharge that turned a stream purple, and with the U.S. Environmental Agency for not providing requested information about the facility and site conditions.
Prairie Rivers Network will continue to work with The Illinois Council of Trout Unlimited, Illinois Citizens for Clean Air & Water, Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Helping Others Maintain Environmental Standards to determine whether future actions regarding this problematic dairy operation are needed. Read more about our efforts to eliminate water pollution from other livestock operations, including our fact sheet on factory farms.
Updated 9/14/2011 with press coverage:
Chicago Tribune on September 8, 2011