N.Y. DEC demands immediate action after fish die-off in Cattaraugus County creek
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NYS DEC responds to fish die-off in Cattaraugus County creek
The state Department of Environmental Conservation has directed the Great Lakes Cheese facility in Franklinville to take immediate actions to address ongoing impacts. The facility advised DEC officials that it is pausing the operations of its discharge outfall to Ischua Creek. According to reports, DEC field teams found multiple species of dead fish and aquatic species in the creek on Tuesday. Officials have documented tens of thousands of fish, amphibians, reptiles and other species impacted.
On Friday, the facility advised DEC officials that it is pausing the operations of its discharge outfall to Ischua Creek.
“Ischua Creek is a vibrant, healthy ecosystem and the environmental damage witnessed this week is significant,” DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “As DEC’s investigation continues, we’ve directed Great Lakes Cheese to prevent ongoing impacts to the creek to help protect water quality and creek habitat. DEC and our partners at the Department of Health will continue to coordinate assessing any potential public health impacts and encourage the community to follow the recreational use advisory that remains in place at this time.”
According to reports, DEC field teams found multiple species of dead fish and aquatic species in the creek on Tuesday. Officials have documented tens of thousands of fish, amphibians, reptiles and other species impacted.
DEC officials say they are requiring Great Lakes Cheese to implement operational improvements and enhanced monitoring from its wastewater treatment process, improve the quality of the facility’s digester operations and continue data collection to fully assess impacts to the creek.
“The New York State Department of Health is working closely with the Department of Environmental Conservation and our local health officials to assess any potential health risk to drinking water in the area around Great Lakes Cheese,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “We will continue to review environmental and water quality data. At this time there is no indication of impacts to drinking water systems.”
While there’s no indication public drinking water has been affected, state officials are asking people to avoid all contract with Ischua Creek until further notice.
An investigation is ongoing.