Man Illegally Keeping 15-Foot Tall Mounds Of Manure
Report: Man Illegally Keeping 15-Foot Tall Mounds Of Manure
Wed Aug 1, 2:56 PM ET
A Loxahatchee man is accused of illegally stockpiling an estimated 20,000 cubic yards of horse manure on his property, environmental protection officials said.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection special agents charged Walter Duque with three misdemeanor citations for keeping the compost, which could result in up to 18 months in jail and $30,000 in fines.
"Environmental crimes, like illegal composting and manure storage, can potentially harm our natural resources and impact our quality of life, and will not be tolerated," said DEP Division of Law Enforcement Director Henry Barnet. "Enforcing Florida's laws, particularly those that protect our environment, is an important part of DEP's mission."
Barnet said DEP agents began investigating Duque after receiving complaints from neighbors about growing piles of manure on his property and the foul odors wafting through the neighborhood. Investigators said they believe Duque may have been accepting loads of horse manure from nearby communities and illegally composting the waste without permits. Mounds of manure, some 15 feet tall, covered several acres on Duque's property, Barnet said.
DEP requires special permits for composting and storing horse manure. Those permits require specific nutrient and storm water management plans to help protect ground and surface water. Composting facilities are also inspected regularly by DEP to ensure compliance with all state laws.
DEP's Division of Law Enforcement is responsible for statewide environmental resource law enforcement, providing law enforcement services to Florida State Parks and Greenways and Trails. Agents investigate environmental resource crimes and illegal dredge and fill activities, and respond to natural disasters, civil unrest, hazardous material incidents and oil spills that can threaten the environment.
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