Illegal permit allowed industrial animal operations to prepare pollution prevention plans without agency oversight or public input, threatening drinking and recreational waters

Current permits fail to protect drinking and recreational waters from untreated animal waste at industrial animal facilities

Like the crisis in Flint, Michigan, a lack of government action now to safeguard public health against agriculture pollution could leave a lasting impact with dangerous consequences.

New York is the country’s fourth largest milk-producing state with more than 600,000 dairy cows, each of which produces about 120 pounds of waste per day. The way this manure is stored and disposed of can have serious implications for human health and water quality. Over the last several years, industrial-sized dairies have been responsible…

First Amended Verified Petition and Complaint

Lawsuit challenges DEC for overstepping its authority and for violating Federal Clean Water Act and State Environmental Quality Review Act requirements