Post by Whiskers on Jun 22, 2007 13:10:55 GMT -6
Officials: Spill could kill thousands of fish
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS CITY -- A manure spill from an abandoned hog confinement flowed into a stream possibly killing thousands of fish, officials said.
The spill occurred Monday night at a confinement owned by Randy Wood, of Columbus Junction.
Jim Sievers, an Iowa Department of Natural Resources environmentalist, said DNR staff was cleaning the contaminated areas to determine how many fish were killed.
He said officials had found dead minnows, carp, suckers and bullheads.
"We're expecting the number of dead fish to be in the several thousands," Sievers said.
The abandoned building was demolished but manure was left in a pit and forced out by the dirt used to fill the pit, causing it to run off into the stream, he said.
"This case is unusual because manure was still left in the pit. Before these buildings were demolished, it should have been taken care of," Sievers said.
The investigation was continuing to determine if any enforcement will be taken, he said.
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS CITY -- A manure spill from an abandoned hog confinement flowed into a stream possibly killing thousands of fish, officials said.
The spill occurred Monday night at a confinement owned by Randy Wood, of Columbus Junction.
Jim Sievers, an Iowa Department of Natural Resources environmentalist, said DNR staff was cleaning the contaminated areas to determine how many fish were killed.
He said officials had found dead minnows, carp, suckers and bullheads.
"We're expecting the number of dead fish to be in the several thousands," Sievers said.
The abandoned building was demolished but manure was left in a pit and forced out by the dirt used to fill the pit, causing it to run off into the stream, he said.
"This case is unusual because manure was still left in the pit. Before these buildings were demolished, it should have been taken care of," Sievers said.
The investigation was continuing to determine if any enforcement will be taken, he said.
