State settles with Boardman dairy over pollution claim

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The state has reached a settlement with a northern Oregon dairy company accused of endangering drinking water by mismanaging manure and wastewater.

The Statesman Journal reports the settlement filed Wednesday will allow Lost Valley Farm to operate in a limited capacity until it can prove that its wastewater treatment system is fully functional.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture filed a lawsuit last month, citing the Boardman facility’s numerous failed inspections and environment violations since it opened last year.

The state claimed owner Greg te Velde failed to comply with directions to stop liquid manure and wastewater from overflowing at storage lagoons.

The owner declined to comment Wednesday.

The department says it will inspect the facility weekly.

Health and environmental groups have criticized the settlement, saying the terms are too loose.

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Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com