208-461-2058 pa Feb 09 06 0360p Cauda Haynes ASTATE OF IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DIRK KEMPTHORNE Gurater PATRICK A. TAKASUGI February 6, 2006 WENDY JAQUET SINE REPRESENTATIVE LeOSLEURE OFTHE STE OOS ‘The Honorable Wendy Jaquet Kok in wink 0.800 759 Idaho House of Representatives sie No 25 ee) Idaho State Capitol Blaine, Corras, Gooding (208) 392-1195 ° SUnconoarues ene epaimcr nar 9) bear ep. ap oO In response to your faquiries regarding the Sunnyside feedlot in Weiser, Idano, the Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) has been working in a coordinated process with the Idaho Department Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Environmental Protection Agency (BPA), and local property owners to address the ground water quality concerns in that area. As background, over the past several years there have been complaints filed ‘with our agency, DEQ, and EPA related to ground water contamination, fugitive dust, surface water runoff, dead animal disposal, odor, and excessive fies. Our agency has made numerous succeseful steps in implementing our jaws, rules, ‘and programs to address each of these issues. The appropriate actions we have taken are pursuant to IDAPA 02.04.15, the Rules of the Department of ‘Agriculture Governing Beef Cattle Animal Feeding Operations. ‘Additionally, the water quality groups of each agency have cooperatively inonitered an intensive ground water effort that is providing important tend ‘data for contazcinants such as nitrate-nitrogen. The steps taken by the feedlor ‘owner, in particular designing and building acw waste containment structures, appear to be working, resulting in ground water quality improvements, Our monitoring data indieate other up gradient sources of contaminants and we are siorking uith landowners tidenely these and take appropri ste action, Thie ‘work is being done consistent with the Agricultural Ground Water Quality Protection Program for Idaho (1996), which was passed by the Idaho Legislature and signed by Governor Batt in 1995. Our agency Ieads this effort and the goal js to identify point and nonpeint source agricultural impacts to ground water and work to prevent and respond with laws, rules, programs, and education. Enclosed is a joint letter from ISDA and DEQ responding to a number of questions from neighbors of the Sunnyside feedlot. Also enclosed are letters fom EPA-Boise and EPA-Seattle regarding the same feedlot. Rest assured we are exercising every effort under Idaho law to help solve the problemsFeb 09 06 03:50p Claudia Haynes 08-46 1-2063 pz Idaho Legislators — Sunnyside Feedlot February 6, 2006 Page 2 of 2 We appreciate your concerns and interest in this situation. ISDA and DEO staff will continue to monitor this facility and the surrounding area and promote tumely solutions for the protection of ground water quality. We appreciate your support as we move forward, and are available to discuss ies other issue, at your request. Patrick A. Takasugi Director Idaho State Department of Agriculture pe: Governor Kempthome Toni Hardesty, DEQ Director Enclosures: ISDA and DEQ letter to Neighbors of Matthews Sunnyside Feedlot, dated January 13, 2003 US EPA Letter to Wayne Ferrell, dated October 7, 2005 US EPA Letter to Wayne Ferrell, dated October 14, 2005