YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that an Eastern Washington dairy applied excessive amounts of manure to neighboring fields, causing or contributing to groundwater contamination in the area.
The community action group CARE claimed that Nelson Faria Dairy in Royal City failed to abide by the terms of a deal that was reached with the dairy’s previous owners to improve operations.
U.S. District Judge Lonny R. Suko ruled Dec. 30 that the dairy had committed numerous violations of the settlement agreement.
A lawyer for Nelson Faria Dairy declined to comment Thursday.
CARE initially filed the lawsuit in 2004 against Smith Brothers of Kent. Nelson Faria purchased the Royal City dairy from Smith Brothers for $16 million in 2006 and was obligated to operate the dairy under the terms of the settlement.
