OhioEPA
PUBLIC INTEREST CENTER
P.O. Box 1049, 122 S. Front St.
Columbus, OH 43216-1049
Tele: (614) 644-2160 Fax: (614) 644-2737

Media Contact: Jim Leach
(614) 644-2160

Citizen Contact: Kevin Johnson
(614) 644-2160

Johnstown, OH – July 12, 2004
Ohio EPA has issued orders to Hendren Farms, a dairy farm with approximately 250 dairy cattle at 3925 Beech Road, Johnstown, for past manure management violations. The orders include a $15,000 civil penalty.

In July of 2001 and 2002, and October 2002, Ohio EPA documented manure discharges to Blacklick Creek, which were determined to be from Hendren Farms. The discharges occurred because of misapplication of manure to a field; application of manure prior to a rainfall; and a leak from an earthen manure storage pond at the farm.

Hendren Farms has agreed to submit an application for a federal permit requiring the operation to handle manure according to best management practices and keep detailed records of manure management practices; develop a manure management plan addressing manure and nutrient management strategies on all acreage farmed by Hendren Farms; begin using field tile plugs or permanent field tile stops during manure application; and purchase manure hauling equipment to improve the transport of manure from storage to fields.

Instead of paying the entire $15,000 penalty, $10,556 will be used by Hendren Farms to purchase additional equipment to minimize migration of manure during land application. The remaining $4,444 will go to Ohio EPA, with equal portions benefitting the Ohio Environmental Education Fund and the administration of water pollution control programs.