KDHE Home - News 2000 - News Release
Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
For Immediate Release
Contact: Sharon Watson, 785-296-5795
KDHE Fines Hornung Cattle $30,000 for May Discharge into Coon Creek
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued an administrative order assessing a $30,000 civil penalty against the Hornung Cattle facility located approximately eight miles southwest of Kinsley in Edwards County.
The order was issued as a result of a May incident in which owner Norbert Hornung is alleged to have intentionally discharged approximately one-half million gallons of waste water from his livestock lagoons into Coon Creek. It was illegal for Hornung to have discharged any waste water at all into the creek.
The discharge resulted in a fish kill, as well as a public health advisory being issued by KDHE on May 19 prohibiting swimming, wading, boating and fishing on the creek. During the days of May 17 through 21, an extensive cleanup effort was undertaken in which 2.1 million gallons of water were pumped from Coon Creek. With the permission of landowners, the water was used to irrigate nearby properties. The health advisory was lifted on June 5.
The order also requires Hornung to take additional steps to ensure his livestock operation remains in compliance with state environmental regulations.
Hornung has until October 23 to appeal the department's order.
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