July 15, 2009, Dallas, TX – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
has issued a cease and desist administrative order to Murphy Products
Inc. and the Oklahoma National Stock Yards Company, both of Oklahoma
City, for violations of the federal Clean Water Act.
July 15, 2009, Dallas, TX – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a cease and desist administrative order to Murphy Products Inc. and the Oklahoma National Stock Yards Company, both of Oklahoma City, for violations of the federal Clean Water Act.
The order specifically addresses a compost facility that is operated by Murphy Products on property owned by the National Stock Yards. The facility is located southeast of the intersection of I-40 and I-44 in Oklahoma City and includes a composting system that incorporates animal manure from the stock yards. On June 22 and 23, 2009, inspectors from EPA and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF), observed the potential for unauthorized discharges from the compost facility directly into the Oklahoma River.
On July 1, 2009, the ODAFF issued an Emergency Cease and Desist Order to Murphy Products to stop all conditions that may lead to a discharge of pollutants to the waters of the state, including the Oklahoma River.
Based on these findings, Murphy Products, Inc. and the Oklahoma National Stock Yards Company have been ordered to cease all discharges of pollutants from the compost system, and within 30 days submit to EPA and ODAFF a plan and schedule of actions that will ensure that all run-off from the compost facility does not discharge to the Oklahoma River.
