(Southwest Iowa) The Nishnabotna Water Defenders, a nonprofit based in southwest Iowa, are disappointed that the settlement issued by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird with no public input represents a slap on the wrist to NEW Coop. This settlement does not require the coop to implement any new measures that will prevent future contamination.
On March 11, 2024, NEW Cooperative, Inc. in Red Oak notified the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of a release occurring on-site. Approximately 1,500 tons (265,000 gallons) of liquid nitrogen fertilizer (32% solution) were discharged into a drainage ditch, then into the East Nishnabotna River. The release occurred due to an aboveground storage tank valve left open for the weekend.
NEW Co-op has agreed to a settlement related to the March 2024 ammonia nitrogen release at its Red Oak facility that led to a significant fish kill along 48 miles of the Nishnabotna River and its confluence with the Missouri River. Under the settlement, NEW Co-op will pay a $50,000 penalty, pay $50,000 toward a supplemental environmental project with the Montgomery County Conservation Board, and agree to a three-year statewide injunction prohibiting future violations of Iowa’s water-quality laws.
Terry Langan, Co-Chair of the Nishnabotna Water Defenders, says the settlement signifies the lack of respect that our Attorney General has for Iowa’s people, the land, and the wildlife. He says to put a price of $100,000 on a loss that will be felt for decades, is a total disregard for the importance of Iowa’s waterways.” The fine does not even recoup the cost of the investigation following the liquid nitrogen incident.
NWD says the historic spill traveled 50 miles down the river and killed approximately 750,000 fish. The cost of only the fish kill was estimated to be $225,000.00. This dollar amount does not include other wildlife that suffered the consequences of this catastrophe.
The NWD says the lack of significant repercussions to this travesty and the significance of Iowa’s water pollution has led the Nishnabotna Water Defenders to organize training and educational opportunities for citizens to monitor local rivers and streams for nitrates. NWD believes that water is sacred and must be treated with respect.
