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Dairy farmers watching WA manure case closely

November 17, 2014, Boise, ID – A lawsuit in Washington state over how dairies handle manure could reach well beyond its borders.

The case began as an action by the federal Environmental Protection Agency against four dairies under the Safe Drinking Act. Three of the dairies agreed to a complicated consent decree with the agency while the fourth dairy left the business.

Although none of the dairies have ever had any violations of their state-approved plans, two environmental groups filed a citizen lawsuit against them asking that EPA regulate manure as a hazardous waste. The lawsuit also expanded to include any compost or liquid manure generated by the dairies that is used offsite, contending that third party landowners who accept those nutrients are also liable for any groundwater contamination. READ MORE