EPD-organized inspection led to Department of Agriculture’s fertilizer revocation
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has issued a proposed consent order to Broad River Valley Farms (BRVF) after the River Road farm received another “Notice of Violation” that resulted from a surprise inspection by the EPD and the Georgia Department of Agriculture (DOA) on June 6.
EPD Northeast Georgia District Manager Derrick Williams, EPD’s Scott Callaway and Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Jennifer Wren and Kayla Markman went to the facility on June 6 after continuing complaints about odor, Williams said Monday.
The multi-agency inspection resulted from Williams’ office in Athens, who said he was asked to make the inspection by EPD Director of District Operations, Jim Cooley.
A sludge pit on the property “contained what appeared to be septic tank cleanout sludge,” said Williams’ “trip report,” which The Elberton Star received Monday after a Georgia Open Records Act request last week. “The sludge did not appear to be processed commercial waste water that had been screened and undergone maceration. The sludge had a strong offensive odor.”