Excel Dairy operates a dairy feedlot of 1,544 animal units. Excel Dairy is located near Thief River Falls, Minnesota (MN). From May 6, 2008 through mid-June 2008, there have been numerous ambient air violations and permit violations at the facility.
Excel Dairy has repeatedly violated Minnesota’s air quality standards for Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), applicable state environmental protection laws, and its feedlot operating permits. Excel Dairy’s operations have reportedly produced odors that threaten the health of its neighbors and which have compelled its neighbors to evacuate their homes.
As part of its permit issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Excel Dairy is required to maintain a thick crust on its manure storage basins and to apply chopped straw on the storage basins when that does not occur naturally. Excel Dairy has failed to establish and maintain the crust on its basins as the permit requires. Additionally, Excel Dairy’s activities have prevented the basin from forming and maintaining a crust by depositing manure onto the surface of the basin, which is also in violation of their permit.
Response Engineering Analytical Contract (REAC) personnel, at the request of Environmental Protection Agency/Environmental Response Team (EPA/ERT), mobilized to the Site to assist the EPA Region 5 by providing air monitoring for a preliminary site assessment.
