OLYMPIA, WA – NOVEMBER 7, 2002
Two dairy farms that are doing an exceptional job of keeping
manure and contaminated dairy runoff out of streams, lakes and underground
water will receive the Department of Ecology’s annual “Contribution to Clean
Water” awards at meetings later this month.
Ecology Department (Ecology) officials will present the awards to the North
Fork Dairy of Snohomish County on Nov. 12 in Everett, and to the Portmann
Dairy of Pacific County on Nov. 20 in South Bend.
The North Fork Dairy, a small dairy with about 140 animals, is managed by
Randy Peterson and his family.
Ecology inspector Belinda Hovde, who nominated the dairy, said, “Randy and
his family have shown their commitment to clean water by managing their
animal waste so it doesn’t pollute local waterways. This type of attitude
will continue to keep agriculture and dairies viable, and also protect
surface- and groundwater resources in the state for future generations.”
The Portmann Dairy, which has about 350 animals, is located next to Forks
Creek and the Forks Creek Salmon Hatchery. Its manure pipeline extends
through part of the hatchery and over Forks Creek to a lagoon on the hill
above the hatchery, but there never has been a recorded spill of manure into
the creek or hatchery area.
“The Portmann Dairy works hard to be a good neighbor, protecting the creek
and the fish that could so easily be harmed by poor management practices,”
said Ecology inspector Gary A. Smith.
Ecology started the dairy awards in 1999 to recognize farmers who make an
extra effort to keep pollution out of streams and ground water.
“Most dairy farmers do try to keep their waste out of streams,” said Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons. “But North Fork is setting the standard for clean dairy operations, and Portmann is doing a particularly good job under
unusual circumstances. Both operations deserve to be recognized for their
outstanding achievements.”
The awards will be presented at the following locations:
* North Fork Dairy – 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 12 at the Snohomish
Conservation District, 528 91st Ave N.E., Ste. C, in Everett.
* Portmann Dairy – 7 p.m. on Nov. 20 at the Pacific Conservation
District, County Courthouse Annex, 1216 Robert Bush Dr., in South Bend.
Media Contacts:
Leslie Thorpe, Public Information Manager, (360) 407-6848 – office
(360) 534-8590 – pager
Nora Jewett Mena – Agriculture Coordinator, (360) 407-6413
Broadcast version
A pair of dairy farms that are doing an outstanding job of preventing
pollution from reaching rivers and streams are being honored by the
Department of Ecology for their efforts.
The North Fork Dairy of Snohomish County and the Portman Dairy of Pacific
County have been selected to receive “Contribution to Clean Water” awards.
The annual awards recognize dairy farmers who make an extra effort to keep
farm pollution out of streams and ground water.
