A Grand Junction manure service has been ordered to develop a Standard Operating Procedure approved by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and to pay a small penalty following a spill from one of their trucks in a December 2017 accident west of Willey. The DNR initiated an investigation immediately following the Dec. 5 accident at 260th Street and Noble Avenue. A DNR environmental specialist observed one tanker trailer containing manure lying on its side, nearly upside down. Another tanker trailer containing manure had fallen off the road. The tanker on its side was owned by Neese, Inc. and the truck driver was identified as a new employee who had been with the company less than 30 days. The specialist also noted he witnessed manure entering the stream. Employees of Neese assisted with the clean-up efforts, damming the east ditch to help prevent more manure from flowing into the waterway. However, an Administrative Consent Order was signed on June 17, stating that testing showed elevated levels of E. Coli, ammonia and reduced levels of biochemical oxygen demand in the Willey stream two days after the accident. The sanctions for Neese include ensuring new employees are properly certified to land apply manure and licensed and qualified to operate equipment and vehicles used to transport manure. They have also been ordered to pay a $500 fine.
