Federal prosecutors say a slaughterhouse in Orange County that supplies kosher chicken to Orthodox Jews discharged chicken parts and other waste into storm drains and sewers.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara and Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator Judith Enck say the U.S. filed and simultaneously proposed the settlement of a lawsuit against the Kiryas Joel Poultry Processing Plant and Kiryas Joel Meat Market Corporation for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act from 2008 to 2012. They say the defendants admit, acknowledge, and accept responsibility for the alleged violations. Enck says the poultry plant disposed chicken parts directly into storm drains and sewers and discharged animal waste into Ramapo River tributaries. She says the defendants agree to pay a $330,000 fine and, among other measures, to submit to EPA an emergency operation plan and a corrective plan of action. The settlement will not be final for 30 days to allow public comment.
Copyright 2014 WAMC and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
