notice

NFMRR treatment facility such that since August 27, 2001 much of the phosphorus and
nitrogen waste enters the North Fork after inadequate treatment.
3. Wastes From Cargill Severely Disrupt, and Have Disrupted,
Treatment Operations at NFMRR
Since August 27, 2001, Cargill has transported chemical disinfectants such as sulfuric
acid and quaternary ammonia to the NFMRR in quantities that have severely disrupted
treatment operations at the facility. These treatment plant disruptions have corrupted
biological treatment processes at the NFMRR several times since August 27, 2001, for
sustained periods of time, resulting in the discharge of large amounts of TP, TN,
ammonia, fecal coliform, and other pollutants into the North Fork.
In light of the above, it is not surprising that the raw poultry processing wastes from
Cargill have resulted in numerous, high magnitude, violations of effluent limits since
August 27, 2001, and have overwhelmed the treatment systems at the NFMRR, often
rendering them ineffective since that date. This has resulted in severe damage to several
miles of the North Fork downstream of the NFMRR, and contributes to the ongoing
impairment of portions of the Potomac River, and nearly 90% of the Chesapeake Bay,
downstream.
E. Cargill Dumps Construction Waste and Debris Adjacent To and Directly
Into the North Fork of the Shenandoah River
Cargill has dumped solid waste on land owned by Cargill at its Timberville poultry
processing facility, and in the waters of the North Fork itself. The dumped solid waste
includes but is not limited to construction debris, boards, trash, large blocks of rock, and
other assorted debris. The dumped waste remains on the banks of, and directly in, the
North Fork of the Shenandoah River, continuing to violate water quality standards by
impeding navigation, disfiguring the stream bottom, endangering fishermen, swimmers,
boaters, and other recreational users, and impairing the aesthetic, aquatic, and
recreational uses of the River.
The Shenandoah Riverkeeper contacted Wesley Carter of Cargill about the dumped waste
and debris on October 25, 2006 and November 10, 2006; despite the notification, Cargill
has taken no action to clean up the dumped construction waste and debris in the North
Fork adjacent to its Broadway facility.
F. Cargill’s Discharges to the NFMRR Contribute Significantly to the
Ecological Impairment of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and the
Surrounding Watershed
Many sections of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River are in dire shape. Large
stretches of river bottom downstream of the discharge from the SIL NFMRR are choked
with algae and decaying organic material, and the water is rife with pollutants, including
a severe overload of phosphorus and nitrogen. Levels of phosphorus immediately
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