After an agreement was reached Wednesday between Denali Wastewater Solutions and the Department of Natural Resources over disposal of meatpacking sludge, advocates in Missouri say their fight continues.
The agreement gives Denali seven days to begin the process of draining three waste lagoons in McDonald, Newton, and Macon counties in Missouri. This agreement comes two months after the DNR ordered Denali to cease spreading waste from slaughterhouses as fertilizer.
Residents have brought attention to their concerns about the lagoons and land application practices. Following the announcement of the agreement, advocates were quick to stand their ground.
Vallerie Steele, a member of Newton County group S.L.U.D.G.E, said in an email Thursday, “Denali is not agreeing to never spread in Missouri again, and MoDNR isn’t saying that they have to stop forever. … Nothing else changed here. Our fight is far from over.”
The group previously filed a lawsuit against the DNR to force Denali to cease operations in the area after 6,000 gallons of slaughterhouse waste spilled into a field. Residents have complained about odors from Denali’s operations, saying that the smell is so bad it prevents them from being able to go outside. Residents have also expressed concerns about the cleanliness of the water in the area as well as the material’s impact on local wildlife.
North of Columbia, Randolph County citizens also fought Denali’s attempt to use a local waste basin. A local group called C.R.A.P filed a lawsuit against the DNR. A judge’s ruling prevents the DNR from granting permits to Denali without court permission.
Denali released a statement regarding this week’s agreement stating, “Under this plan, Denali will also continue to seek ways to ensure the beneficial use of this resource.” The company calls itself “the nation’s leading full-service organic recycling company.”
Denali’s statement said the decision by the DNR will be costly and will impact Missouri farmers and food manufacturers.
Denali is required to drain the lagoons at a minimum rate of 150,000 gallons per week. Denali is also required to pay a fine of nearly $22,000.
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Heather Peters, DNR Water Pollution Control Branch Chief, said in an email that Denali could store or apply wastewater in Missouri in the future. However, Denali would have to go through the permit process, which currently is on hold due to litigation.
“Future storage and land application of these materials would require a permit, which, if considered, would include a robust stakeholder process, public hearings, and invite input and public involvement on any permit decision or draft permit language to ensure adequate protections, conditions, and limitations,” Peters wrote.
Meanwhile, in the legislature, several bills regarding the issue are making progress. One bill, originally introduced by Rep. Dirk Deaton, R-Noel, would create new regulations and testing for waste sludge under the Missouri Clean Water Act.
A similar bill currently in the Missouri Senate is set to hit the floor within the next few weeks. Senate Bill 908, introduced by Sen. Jill Carter, R-Granby, would create more guidelines on testing.
Even with the recent Denali announcement, Rep. Deaton said the bills will continue to move forward.
According to a Facebook post by S.L.U.D.G.E, Deaton and Carter will be present to talk about the bills at a fundraiser on Feb. 24 at East Newton High School in Granby, Missouri. The group is holding an event to share information on the topic and raise money for the lawsuit.
Steele said that despite the recent agreement, the fundraiser and lawsuit will go on.
“We aren’t letting MoDNR off the hook that easy.”
Athena Fosler-Brazil contributed to this story.