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EPA Orders New Mexico Dairies Into Compliance With Clean Water Act

Release Date: 09/25/2007
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200 or [email protected]

(Dallas, Texas - Sep. 25, 2007) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued 11 administrative orders to dairies located in southeast New Mexico requiring them to keep proper records in their Pollution Prevention Plans indicating properly lined waste lagoons. The orders also require that animal waste generated at the dairies be properly handled and disposed of without causing any environmental harm.

The dairies named in these orders are the Mountain View Dairy, Bright Star Dairy, Big Sky Dairy, Desert Land Dairy, Sunset Dairy, Buena Vista I Dairy, Gonzalez Dairy, Daybreak Dairy, River Valley Dairy, Dominguez Dairy, and D & J Dairy, all located between the cities of Las Cruces and Anthony, New Mexico.

“EPA will continue to vigorously enforce our nation’s environmental laws through effective compliance assistance and a strong enforcement program,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene. “Environmental responsibility is everyone’s responsibility.”

During the week of August 13, 2007, EPA staff provided compliance assistance training to the Las Cruces area dairies. EPA staff also provided information on the requirements of the EPA Region 6 Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation general permit, the Pollution Prevention Plan elements and recordkeeping requirements.

EPA discussed with the dairy owners and managers proper animal waste handling and disposal, surface water quality, and hydrologic connections with surface waters.

Based on these findings, the owners and operators of these dairies have been ordered to take action to bring the dairies into compliance with the Clean Water Act. EPA will continue to work with the dairies and the New Mexico Environment Department to ensure protection of surface and groundwater in the area.