Muncie Sow’s Last Stand
Troubled old-time large scale pork producer, Muncie Sow Unit in Delaware County is facing what might be a final stand off against IDEM.
The problems at the operation have been longstanding. I think we can see 2 things out of this story: First, we can see the impact on smaller scale hog operations of Gov. Daniels’s effort to court large scale hog operators to the state - basically creating a hog glut that cuts the prices and kills off the smaller guys. Second, we can see ITEM in action - here taking 3 years to enforce an order on a manure lagoon:
On Feb. 25, an inspection of Muncie Sow Unit, 17123 N. Delaware County Road 350-E, found that manure in a 12-million-gallon lagoon was again less than two feet from overflowing, according to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
Last month, Valerie Tachtiris, a deputy attorney general, filed a motion asking Delaware Circuit Court 1 Judge Marianne Vorhees to order Jacobus Tielen, 39, to appear before her and explain why he was not in contempt for violating a restraining order issued by the judge three years ago.
In a lawsuit filed June 8, 2005, IDEM accused Tielen of knowingly or intentionally failing to maintain at least two feet of freeboard in the lagoon as required by state law. Criminal charges were filed against Tielen on Oct. 12, 2005, dismissed on April 4, 2006, and refiled the next day. The criminal charges remain pending.
“There has been no intentional disobedience of the court’s order that could justify contempt sanctions,” defense attorney Todd Janzen told Vorhees in court documents.
In late 2007, Muncie Sow Unit “succumbed to mounting pressure from the farm’s creditors” — feed provider Matthews Feed & Grain and mortgage lender Kokomo Grain Co., Janzen explained.
Link (Star Press Article by Seth Slanaugh).
April 11th, 2008 12:32
IDEM always had a problem with enforcement. It has only gotten worse.
By the way, glad to see you back.