MPCA Tells Health Hazard Feedlot Excel Dairy: “This Is Your Last Chance,” AGAIN

The Minnesota Pollution Control Board warned Excel Dairy at a June 22 hearing this was the dairy's last chance to correct the air emissions problems with their dairy operation in Marshall County near Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

Last June MPCA, the county, and the Attorneys General filed lawsuits to get Excel to bring the toxic air emissions under compliance with Minnesota’s air quality standards for hydrogen sulfide. Excel Dairy had nearly 500 violations last year.  Hydrogen sulfide causes many health problems such as headache, nausea, breathing problems, vomiting, diarrhea and extreme fatigue.

Levels of hydrogen sulfide were so high last summer residents were told to evacuate their homes by The Minnesota Department of Health. State and federal agencies have since investigated and declared that the Excel Dairy is a health hazard. This is the first time ever in the United States a feedlot has been declared a public health hazard. A year later neighbors are still experienceing toxic air and must flee their homes. Over 100 violations have been recorded already this year.

Clean Water Action rural community organizer Julie Jansen agrees immediate action is needed, “It's not fair to ask anyone to live in conditions like this.  The dairy is breaking the law. I have never seen this kind of hydrogen sulfide emissions on any industry or feedlot in the state. Milner has no intention on doing anything he is not forced to do,” said Jansen.

Owner Rick Milner told the MPCA Citizens Board which provisions in his permit he was planning to abide by.  In April the Citizens Board revoked and reissued Excel’s permit. Milner was ordered by the MPCA Board to have all three manure lagoons pumped out by June 15. Milner told the board he would pump out lagoons two and three but he had no intention of pumping lagoon one until fall. Milner told the board that the fields were still too wet to apply manure. 

Neighbor Mona Loe told the Board how terrible the odor and living conditions were again this year. According to Loe’s testimony, neighbors just want their life back and not to be sickened by the emissions. Citing Milner’s declarations that he has decided what pieces of his permit he will obey, Loe asked “why doesn’t this board just let him write his write his own permit?”

MPCA Board member Wilander said during the hearing that he has seen many superfund sites over the years and never has he heard of anyone being forced to leave their homes--until now.