Washington Beef reaches agreement over Clean Water Act violations

Washington Ag Today May 6, 2010 Washington Beef, the operator of a large slaughterhouse in Toppenish, Washington, has agreed to pay a 750-thousand dollar civil penalty to resolve allegations that it violated the Clean Water Act. The U.S. Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency say Washington Beef, which is owned by AgriBeef Company of Boise, Idaho has also agreed to install about three million dollars worth of equipment to break down organic pollutants from the Toppenish facility.

The EPA had alleged the company discharged partially-treated slaughterhouse wastes into nearby waterways without a permit for an extended period of time and it also exceeded the level of pollutants allowed by its permit on numerous occasions. The government says Washington Beef now has a permit for all its discharges and is meeting its permit limits.

Representatives of major livestock groups met with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA administrator Lisa Jackson earlier this week.

Ellworth: “The most impressive part is the farmers talked about the work they are doing on their farms.”

That was EPA administrator Jackson’s counselor Larry Ellworth commenting following the meeting. Here is what Secretary Vilsack had to say.

Vilsack: “It may not prevent a rule or regulation from coming in place, but it will come into place with a full understanding and appreciation for what is being done out in the countryside.”

EPA’s Ellworth said the meeting helped foster more understanding, less fear and he promised more such meetings with producers.

After the meeting the USDA and EPA announced a new interagency agreement promoting renewable energy generation and slashing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock operations.

I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Aginfo Net.

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