For Release: Friday, April 24, 2009
Dairy Plant No Longer Allowed to Discharge into Black River
Lewis County Dairy Corp. Doesn't Contest Permit Revocation
A Lewis County dairy processing plant facing violations for improper operation and maintenance of its wastewater treatment facility has surrendered its permit to discharge into the Black River, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Regional Director Judy Drabicki announced today.
Lewis County Dairy Corp., which produces bottled milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream at its plant in New Bremen, faces charges of violating state law numerous times since its wastewater treatment facility went online two years ago. Along with improper operation and maintenance, the violations also covered unacceptable sampling methods, excess effluent and deficient recordkeeping.
As part of the ongoing case, DEC notified the plant in February 2009 that it would revoke the company's discharge permit. On April 20, the company notified an administrative law judge that it would not contest the revocation.
As a result, Lewis County Dairy will no longer be allowed to discharge processed wastewater into the Black River. DEC will meet with the new owners of the plant, Toobro NY, LLC, to ensure environmental compliance, including strategies for handling wastewater.
Proceedings regarding the violations will continue, Drabicki said. In addition, the dairy plant still faces a separate enforcement action, filed by DEC in 2007, alleging 14 spills of sludge and waste materials.
