Hog farm ordered to pay $50,000 for manure release into a creek
News Release
December 17, 2015 ─ Leduc, Alberta ─ Environment and Climate Change Canada
Shooter’s Hill Livestock Inc., represented by owner Simon Goodwin, pleaded guilty on November 25, 2015 in Leduc Provincial Court and was ordered to pay a fine of $50,000 for allowing the deposit of a deleterious substance (liquid hog manure) into water frequented by fish, which is an offence under the Fisheries Act.
On May 10, 2014, Environment and Climate Change Canada was notified by the Alberta provincial environmental call centre of a release of hog manure into Conjuring Creek near Calmar, Alberta. An order to stop the release was issued by a provincial Inspector from the Natural Resources Conservation Board. Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers attended the scene and observed liquid hog manure entering the creek. Numerous dead fish were found in the creek downstream to the point where it enters the North Saskatchewan River. Samples were collected and an investigation was initiated.
The investigation determined that the release of liquid hog manure occurred when Mr. Goodwin pumped it from one lagoon into another. The second lagoon overflowed through a culvert, allowing the liquid hog manure to flow over land before depositing into the creek. Fish tissue analyses determined that the cause of fish mortality was consistent with exposure to liquid pig manure.
The fine will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund (EDF). As a result of the conviction, the company’s name will be added to the Environmental Offender’s Registry.
Quick Facts
- Conjuring Creek provides spawning habitat for the North Saskatchewan River. The deposit occurred during spring, which is the spawning period for many fish species.
- The EDF was created in 1995 to provide a mechanism for directing funds received as a result of fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to projects that will benefit our natural environment.
- The Environmental Offenders Registry contains information on convictions of corporations registered for offences committed under certain federal environmental laws. The Registry contains convictions recorded for offences committed since June 18, 2009—when the Environmental Enforcement Act received Royal Assent.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada has created a subscription service to help Canadians stay current with what the Government of Canada is doing to protect our natural environment. Subscribing to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Enforcement Notifications is easy, and free. Sign up today.
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