JEFFERSON CITY — The spigot could be closing on companies that spread animal waste products on Missouri farm fields in the name of free fertilizer.
Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby, is sponsoring legislation that could rein in companies like Denali Water Solutions, an Arkansas-based firm that collects animal waste products from meatpacking companies and then applies it for free to agricultural lands.
Rep. Ed Lewis, R-Moberly, also has filed a proposal in the House taking aim at companies that store slaughterhouse waste in massive basins before spreading it on fields.
The practice has become controversial among rural residents at the same time Republican Gov. Mike Parson, a cattle farmer, has led the charge to expand meatpacking facilities in Missouri.
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Complaints include strong odors and concerns about the waste flowing into the state’s waterways, spoiling creeks, rivers and lakes.
Residents living nearby have filed lawsuits and issued calls for tougher enforcement and legislative intervention.
Carter’s proposal would strengthen the permitting process, potentially making it harder for companies to collect the material from meatpackers unless it is tested and deemed safe for spreading.
“It further clarifies that materials being generated from commercial and industrial sources are solid waste and will need proper permits for solid waste,” Carter told the Post-Dispatch. “This is to ensure that safer processing of those materials takes place before application to help keep Missouri land and waterways unharmed.”
Local groups suing Denali include the southwestern Missouri-based Stop Land Use Damaging our Ground and Environment, or SLUDGE.
Committee member Vallerie Steele of Fairview said she hopes Carter’s measure will address the environmental issues surrounding the waste.
“We need Missouri residents to open their eyes and ears and see this practice for what it is: Toxic! We need to encourage our senators to stand up for what is right and protect our lands, homes, health, and livelihood,” Steele wrote.
Along with southwestern Missouri residents, a group of opponents have been fighting a similar situation in Randolph County, spurring Lewis to file his plan.
Environmental attorney Stephen Jeffery called Carter’s proposed legislation a good start because it focuses on the earthen basins used to store millions of gallons of sludge and waste before it is pumped onto nearby land.
But, Jeffery said, “To get around these provisions, all a waste spreader has to do is not use the earthen basin to store anything — instead the wastes and sludges are directly land applied.”
In the meantime, DNR officials ordered Denali to cease operations on Nov. 29, saying the company was not operating pursuant to guidelines listed in a June letter.
The DNR’s action came after an October spill of slaughterhouse waste leaked into a ditch and field near Fairview in Newton County.
From Nov. 29 forward, DNR said “any unpermitted land application of process wastewater will be cited as intentional violations of the Missouri Clean Water Law.”
Denali has denied they are causing harm. Officials argue they are helping farmers because the waste they apply to fields is offered as free fertilizer.
Company spokesman Samuel Liebl said the firm is working to adjust its Missouri operations to continue to serve the state’s meatpacking industry.
“While Denali awaits permits to resume responsible and environmentally friendly land application in Missouri, we will do all we can to support customers and Missouri farmers as they continue to provide food and employment for Missouri residents,” Liebl said.
Liebl said more than 100 Missouri farmers rely on fertilizers from Denali, and dozens of Missouri food manufacturers employing more than 10,000 Missouri workers depend on the company’s services to continue their business operations.
“Without the ability for Denali to operate, Missouri food companies will face extremely challenging and costly decisions. We are committed to ensuring a positive outcome for Missouri farmers, businesses and communities,” Liebl said.
Jeffery said he believes the DNR’s actions were a positive development in the effort to address concerns of rural families.
But, he said there are concerns about loopholes in the regulations that could give companies a way to continue spreading the slurry.
“As a result, it is business as usual for the waste spreaders and the November 29 letter is meaningless,” Jeffery said.
Heather Peters, water pollution control branch chief of the DNR’s Water Protection Program, said the current enforcement status is not “business as usual.”
“Denali does not have their own authorization to conduct land application,” Peters said. “Also, the use of the basins is not permitted, and they have been notified that material cannot be added to the basin.”
The General Assembly returns to action Jan. 4.
Carter’s legislation is Senawis’ legislation is Hous