News Release 554

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ISSUES
ODOR VIOLATIONS TO MOARK 7 FARMS IN NEOSHO

Volume 34-554

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 18, 2006 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources issued two Notices of Violation to MOARK 7 Farms in Neosho for excessive odors.

The department's Southwest Regional Office detected the strong odors adjacent to MOARK's composting facility on Oct. 25 and Nov. 2 while responding to complaints. The odors on Nov. 2 exceeded the detection threshold by more than eight times the regulation standards. The department collected air samples and sent them to a laboratory in St. Croix for evaluation. The laboratory confirmed the excess emissions and the department issued two Notices of Excess Emissions to MOARK on Nov. 3 and Nov. 13.

MOARK was given time to respond to the department and provide information about a potential startup, shutdown or equipment malfunction. The department evaluated MOARK's response to the incidents and determined the circumstances described did not meet the definition of a malfunction. As required by state regulations, the department upgraded the Notices of Excess Emissions to Notices of Violation.

The department will continue its daily surveillance on the facility and will meet with MOARK officials to discuss eliminating future odor incidents. The department's main goal in any enforcement action is to help the facility successfully achieve compliance with the standards and then maintain compliance to protect the residents of the area. The department will continue to work within Missouri's laws and regulations to provide assistance and oversight to the facility.

The department encourages citizens in the area to continue calling if they notice odors. Citizens may call the department's Southwest Regional Office at 417-891-4300 or may call the Newton County Satellite Office in Neosho at 417-455-5180 or 417-455-5158.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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