The Star Press reports here that the farmer suspected of being responsible for the Little Mississinewa River fish kill has a lengthy history of violations in Ohio. If this is true, it might lead one to ask how IDEM could possibly approve him to operate in Indiana. I am not certain of the specifics, but the situation does bring up the fact that Indiana’s NPDES approval process for CAFO’s does not include any “good character” requirement - meaning that each permit application is judged on its specific merits, with no reference to the history or experience of the proposed operator.
Here is the Star Press’s list of Stateline Agri, Inc owner Rick Kremer’s Ohio history:
A summary of the state’s accusations:
Causing pollution to state waters (Ansonia and Celina in 2003 and Ansonia in 2007).
Violating Ohio water quality standards (Celina).
Failure to maintain adequate operating levels and allow for weather events in a manmade manure structure (Ansonia).
Failure to conduct and/or document inspections of manure lagoons and ponds (Ansonia).
Disposing of dead pigs in a way not allowed by a state-issued operating permit.
Failure to maintain vegetation near manure storage ponds.
Applying manure to frozen or snow-covered ground in excess, without prior permission and in ways not allowed by the facility’s permit. Also failed to notify the state of runoff.
Applying manure when there’s more than a 50-percent chance of precipitation for the 24-hour period after application.
Applying manure on frozen or snow-covered ground without prior permission (Ansonia).
Applying manure to a frozen or snow-covered field without ample crop residue.
Violating new permit and applying manure to field without ample crop residue.
Applying manure and causing ponding and runoff (Ansonia).
Exceeding manure allowed on a field according to facility’s permits.
Failure to monitor surface drainage while, and after, manure is applied.
Failure to notify the Ohio Department of Agriculture of manure discharge into state waters.
Failure to notify the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency of manure discharge into state waters.
Failure to provide manure analysis and secure written agreements with other land owners when applied to others’ fields
