In November, Delaware environmental regulators accused poultry processor Mountaire Farms of 13 permit violations that led to water contamination for nearby residents.
A report issued Monday by the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays claims those violations were part of a chronic problem at the plant that has resulted in “significant pollution” of waters that are granted “the state’s highest level of protection.” “It’s not just disheartening and frustrating for us, but for really all of the organizations and businesses that have done the right thing, that have stepped up and met regulations and requirements and have sacrificed to do that,” said Chris Bason, executive director of the Center for the Inland Bays.
The 24-year-old nonprofit center was created to help restore and preserve the waterways that are considered jewels of coastal Sussex County.
Using publicly available information and details obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, the center’s report says the EPA and the state Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control have not forced the company to comply with conditions of multiple orders.
Go to whyy.org for more information on the contamination and Mountaire’s reaction to the findings.