Press Release: Appeal Filed to Stop Delaware Poultry Slaughterhouse

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Cindy Wilton, Protecting Our Indian River  Maria Payan, Socially Responsible Agricultural Project 302-934-8050 |  cindywilton2@gmail.com  717-826-7286|  mariap@sraproject.org

High-Stakes Appeal Filed to Stop ˜Arbitrary’ Greenlighting of Harim Poultry Factory

Groups petition Delaware Superior Court to reject controversial hazardous clean-up plan approval that paves way for mega chicken processing operation

MILLSBORO, DE JULY 10, 2014 Today, the non-profit community groups Protecting Our Indian River and the Inland Bays Foundation, with support from Socially Responsible Agricultural Project, filed a Notice of Appeal with the Superior Court of the State of Delaware to overturn a June 2014 ruling that streamlines the siting of an industrial poultry operation on the polluted Brownfield site of a former Vlasic pickle plant in Sussex County.

The Governor Markell-appointed Environmental Appeals Board heard more than eight hours of scientific and engineering testimony during a June 13th public meeting before quickly approving a substandard remediation plan that makes way for an Allen Harim Foods, LLC poultry processing plant. Once at full capacity, the South Korean-owned plant will process a whopping 2 million birds each week, discharging unprecedented amounts of animal and pharmaceutical waste into the environment — endangering the historic Indian River and the health and safety of local residents. Based upon evaluations by Delaware’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Indian River is already classified as an impaired waterway.

The appeal was filed by attorney Ken Kristl and the Widener Environmental and Natural Resources Law Clinic.

The Notice of Appeal states that the conclusions by the DNREC are not supported (and in fact are contradicted) by substantial evidence in the record,  and that the approved Brownfield remedial action plan did not comply with the requirements of the Hazardous Substances Control Act and the regulations issued there under.  The groups are requesting that the Court reverse the Environmental Appeals Board approval and send the issue back to DNREC for development of a lawful, science-based plan.

A copy of the Notice of Appeal dated July 10, 2014 is available upon request.

The real truth is the Delaware DNREC made the decision to appeal this defective remediation plan, not the citizens of this County. Their reckless and politically-influenced disregard for the health and safety of residents and the environment, not to mention the local economy, forced the need to have a responsible, unbiased court step in to stop an injustice. 

  – Cindy Wilton, founding member, Protecting Our Indian River  

Millsboro is in danger of joining the growing roll-call of U.S. hometowns that are losing their health, living standards and lifestyles to the dirty and dangerous advance of industrial animal facilities. If the Delaware DNREC simply followed the law and the undisputed scientific evidence that was submitted to them, this appeal would never have been filed.       

– Maria Payan, field coordinator, Socially Responsible Agricultural Project