The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has added another feed lot to the list of those they say helped create a fish kill in Carroll County. The D-N-R earlier identified six feedlots investigators believe were leaking manure into Brushy Creek, leading to the fish kill discovered in December. Those feedlot owners were sent what’s called a “notice of violation” in the first step in the process. The D-N-R says feedlot owner Brian Riesberg has now also received a notice of violation for discharging manure from his combined open and confinement swine-feeding operation into Brushy Creek.
A D-N-R spokesman says they’re still evaluating the situation to determine what, if any penalties will be assessed to the feedlot owners. The D-N-R is also working with the owners to keep any more manure from getting into the creek. The D-N-R says there was a total kill in the affected area of the creek, but icy conditions prevented them from getting an accurate count of the dead fish.