BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

NORTH LAWRENCE -- The Department of Environmental Conservation has cited North Country Dairy for contaminating the Deer River after conducting a weeks long investigation.  

DEC officials say the dairy processing plant, which has been scrutinized by county legislators and the public for several months now, was cited for failing to uphold state water quality standards.

"The residents of Lawrence and Brasher have demanded answers about why their once-clear river has become unsafe for traditional uses. While I commend the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for their efforts to identify and address the issue, the delays have been frustrating. I remain committed to advocating for my constituents and working with the DEC and local leaders to swiftly restore the Deer River to its former pristine state," said St. Lawrence County Legislator John Gennett,

The issues built to a head during the June 3 county legislature meeting where  residents along the Deer River called for action..

James Gurrola, a North Lawrence resident who owns property on the Deer River, said he has lived in his home for decades and had never seen the water in such poor condition.

"There has always been a stench the whole time I've lived there, 33 years, but nothing like today," he said.

Gurrola described the stench as "if you were opening a jar of rotting chicken that's been fermenting with maggots."

Although Gurrola and others called for action, he was clear that did not want to see the plant lose jobs. 

"We don't want to close the plant down. We don't want anyone to lose their jobs. All we are asking is for someone to step up and fix the pollution of the river, to get rid of the smell and ensure that our wells aren't being contaminated with runoff. I don't think we're asking a whole lot," he said.

According to DEC officials, a detailed technical review of the plant's wastewater and treatment technologies were also completed to ensure pending modifications to the facility's permit will protect the Deer River.

“Immediately following the outbreak of Leptomitus lacteus in the Deer River, DEC experts launched an investigation to identify its underlying causes, resulting in the enforcement action announced today,” Region 6 Director Randall Young said.

“Our team will continue to take appropriate action to restore and protect the river and the surrounding community.”

Inspections to the facility, field observations, data collection and water quality analysis throughout the Deer River in the vicinity of North Lawrence were also undertaken, officials say.

The investigation also considered environmental conditions, known permitted dischargers to the river, and the potential for previously unknown discharges.

DEC officials say they were able to identify the presence of sewer fungus beginning at the North Country Dairy outfall.

Combined with water quality data from the river, DEC officials were able to identify high total phosphorus, orthophosphate, total nitrogen, and ammonia in the impacted stretch of water, which demonstrated the dairy plant's permitted discharge as the primary contributor to the growth of the river, officials say.

"DEC is committed to requiring facilities across the state to fully comply with permit conditions and to ensuring permits are adequate to achieve water quality standards in receiving streams in order to protect public health and the environment. DEC continues to monitor North Country Dairy for compliance with all applicable laws, policies, and regulations and will evaluate the necessity for additional enforcement steps while assessing appropriate cleanup actions," officials say.

The news comes just days after North Country Dairy officials issued a press release on the matter, saying they were cooperating with the DEC's investigation.

"As a highly regulated facility, we strive to operate our plant in a way that not only complies with recommended practices but exceeds them. We are collaborating with the DEC in its ongoing investigation while continuing an internal review of our operations to ensure they meet our high expectations and all applicable regulatory requirements," North Country Dairy officials said in the release.

"We are committed to transparency throughout this process and will continue to keep the public updated as our collective review progresses," they said.

The news of the contamination did not sit well with Legislator John Gennett, who first raised the concerns with his fellow county legislators in May.

Gennett, who represents the Brasher and North Lawrence area, said he had numerous constituents come to him about the water quality and the impact on aquatic life in recent weeks.

"If you want to see some hairy rocks, come to the Deer River," he said at the legislature’s May 6 full board meeting.

Gennett brought a sample of the murky water from the Deer River to the meeting and sent an email to his fellow legislators regarding attempts to reach DEC officials.

"There are no fish left in the Deer River, nothing," he said.

DEC officials have not yet announced punitive measures for North Country Dairy.