ODA Looking To Shut Down Lost Valley Farm Dairy

The Oregon Department of Agriculture has filed suit to shut down a large dairy outside of Boardman.  The suit filed last year cites a history of environmental violations by the facility, over nearby drinking water.  The lawsuit asks for a permanent injunction prohibiting the farm from producing more wastewater, a move that would effectively shut down operations.

Dairy owner Greg te Velde said in court documents that an injunction would destroy his business, force him to euthanize his cows and leave 70 workers unemployed.

"The department's order would have significant ramifications to the local community where the dairy is located," said te Velde, who is based in California. "Many of our employees are Latino and rely on the dairy to support their family."

The 7,000-acre (2,800-hectare) dairy's wastewater permit allows up to 30,000 animals and 187 million gallons (708 million liters) of manure per year.

The dairy opened in April and provides milk to the Tillamook County Creamery Association, which makes Tillamook cheese.  The association said in a statement it is in the process of canceling its contract with Lost Valley.

Regulators approved the dairy despite objections from about 4,000 people and a dozen state and national health and environment organizations raising concerns about air and water pollution, water use and health impacts on nearby communities.  Since then the dairy has failed numerous inspections, has been cited four times and has been fined $10,640.

Each citation included steps the dairy was required to take to remain in operation. Each time, the dairy failed to comply with most of those requirements, the Oregon Department of Agriculture said in court documents. As a result, manure and wastewater has repeatedly overflowed storage lagoons and seeped into soil.

In court papers, te Velde and dairy manager Travis Love said state inspectors were being harder on Lost Valley Farm than on other dairies and were not giving the new farm enough time to get up to speed.

On Monday, Rabobank, a multinational agricultural lender, filed a separate lawsuit in Morrow County seeking to foreclose the dairy in connection with the foreclosure of two dairies te Velde owns in California. As of Jan. 2, 2018, te Velde owed $37.4 million on those two loans.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com