Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Oct. 28, 1999

99-222

Contact: Mary Getchell, Public Information Manager, (360) 407-6157; pager, (360) 534-8590
Phil KauzLoric, Dairy Program Coordinator, (360) 407-6413

Dairies applauded for keeping water clean

OLYMPIA - This month marks the end of one year of managing dairy waste under a new state law, and the year has found many dairy farms are doing a pretty good job complying with water pollution laws.

Between October 1998 and September 1999, the Department of Ecology (Ecology) inspected 70 percent (527) of Washington's 754 dairies. Ecology found a 75 percent compliance rate at the farms.

Ecology is beginning a new dairy award program, "Contribution to Clean Water," to honor dairy farmers who took extra care to keep pollution out of streams and ground water.

"We're extremely pleased about the compliance rate and it shows the industries' dedication and commitment to clean water this past year," said Debbie Becker, executive director of the Washington State Dairy Federation. "The awards are a nice recognition of farmers doing a good job for their operation, the industry and the environment."

Pete Petersen Dairy in Benton Co.	Johnston Dairy in Clark Co.
Lagler Dairy in Clark Co.	Dave Boon Dairy in Skagit Co.
Mulder Dairy in Skagit Co.	Soler Dairy in Snohomish Co.
Giles Dairy in Snohomish Co.	Nilles Dairy in Spokane Co.
Darilane Farms in Spokane Co.	Dunrenton Ranch in Spokane Co.
An-O-Lyn Dairy in Whatcom Co.	TJ Veenacres Dairy in Whatcom Co.
Aegerter Dairy in Wahkiakum Co.	Grays River Holsteins in Wahkiakum Co.
Golob Dairy, Inc. in Yakima Co.	Newhouse Dairy in Yakima Co.

"Ten years ago we expanded our dairy farm and designed the manure system as the first step," said Brian Nilles, co-operator of Nilles Dairy. "Getting the dairy award is nice recognition for efforts we and other dairy farmers are doing to protect water quality."

Under the Dairy Nutrient Management Act of 1998, Ecology must inspect all farms by October 2000 to ensure they are managing dairy waste properly. Ecology took 67 enforcement actions at dairies this past year, including 18 penalties that totaled $390,000. In addition, Ecology issued 28 wastewater discharge permits. Under the federal Clean Water Act, a dairy needs a permit if it discharges waste to a lake, river or marine water, since too much waste could make the water unhealthy for people and fish.

"On many of our inspections we saw significant efforts being made to protect water quality," said Megan White, manager of Ecology's Water Quality Program. "When our inspectors saw a problem, it was typically a bad situation with manure directly polluting streams or ground water."

Editors' Note: Most awards will be presented at public meetings. For information about the time and location of presentations in your community, contact Mary Getchell, (360) 407-6157.