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Department of Ecology News Release - Nov. 2, 2000
00-216
OLYMPIA - Keeping manure and contaminated dairy runoff out of streams, lakes and ground water is a challenging task that should be recognized when dairies take extra efforts to prevent pollution and help get and keep Washington's waters clean.
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) is honoring 10 dairies with "Contribution to Clean Water" awards.
Ecology started the dairy-award program in 1999 to recognize farmers who take extra care to keep pollution out of streams and ground water.
"State law requires dairies to keep their waste out of streams - but sometimes that's easier said than done," said Ecology Director Tom Fitzsimmons. "Many dairy farmers in our state have worked hard to change their practices, and we really like to acknowledge their excellent achievement when we see it."
A 1998 state law directed Ecology to inspect every dairy farm. Before that, Ecology typically inspected dairy farms in response to complaints that a farm's manure may be entering a nearby stream.
The inspections revealed that, over all, farmers are doing a good job of managing dairy waste. Out of 728 dairies, the agency found 73 percent of the farms were not causing direct water quality problems during Ecology's initial inspections.
CONTACT: Mary Getchell, Public Information Manager, (360) 407-6157,
pager, (360) 534-8590
Phil KauzLoric, Dairy Program Coordinator, (360)407-6413
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.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
