Hancock County, Iowa, Cattle Feeder Agrees to Innovative Settlement for Violating Water Permit

(Lenexa, Kan., Sept. 19, 2013) - Branstad Farms, a cattle feedlot in Hancock County, Iowa, has agreed to pay a $5,100 civil penalty and perform a $26,000 Supplemental Environmental Plan to settle alleged violations of the facility's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

Branstad Farms, of Forest City, Iowa, did not maintain adequate records associated with the land application of liquid effluent and manure from its feedlot and did not perform sampling of the materials and soil, as required by the NPDES permit.

"This settlement is the 1st of its kind in Region seven concentrated animal feeding operation enforcement," E.P.A. Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. "Branstad Farms' willingness to undertake an environmental Plan like wetland restoration in lieu of a portion of their penalty will benefit Iowa's water quality. Wetlands provide critical habitat for plants, fish and wildlife; replenish and clean water supplies; and provide recreational opportunities."

Branstad Farms' facility has the capacity for approximately 2,500 cattle in confinement barns and outdoor pens, according to an administrative consent arrangement filed by E.P.A. Region seven in Lenexa, Kan.

Failure to perform sampling or properly document land applications of a feedlot's manure and manure-containing process wastewater can increase the risk that crops and fields may gain excessive amounts of feedlot-related contaminants. Over-application can significantly increase the risk that pollutants will end up in nearby streams and water bodies.

As part of the settlement agreement, Branstad Farms has certified that it is now in compliance with the Clean Water Act. The consent arrangement is subject to a 40-day public review period before it becomes final.

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