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Old 05-08-2007, 12:47 AM posted to rec.gardens,rec.gardens.edible
Rachael Simpson Rachael Simpson is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: May 2007
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Default man arrested for compost pile

did y'all hear about this?

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/loc...0,881138.story

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=10117

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Florida Man Arrested for Illegally Composting Horse Manure
by: Erin Ryder, News Editor
August 01 2007 Article # 10117

A Loxahatchee Groves, Fla., man has been arrested by authorities with
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection because he had
allegedly collected around 20,000 cubic yards of horse manure, the South
Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.

Agents said the man, Walter Duque, accepted horse manure for composting.
Permits to compost or store manure are required by state law, and
approved facilities are inspected to ensure no laws protecting
groundwater are being broken, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

According to the report, Duque had mounds of manure covering several
acres of his property. Some piles were 15 feet tall.

Neighbors complaining of the smell tipped off the authorities, who gave
Duque three misdemeanor citations. His penalties could include $30,000
in fines and up to 18 months in jail, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

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article by the Sun-Sentinel:

Loxahatchee Groves man arrested for illegally stockpiling horse manure
By Joel Hood | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Law enforcement officers with the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection have arrested a Loxahatchee Groves man for illegally
stockpiling about 20,000 cubic yards of horse manure on his property.
Walter Duque received three misdemeanor citations for the violations,
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 Henry Barnet, director of the agency's
law enforcement division, said in a released statement. "Enforcing
Florida's laws, particularly those that protect our environment, is an
important part of DEP's mission."

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 suspect the man
has been accepting loads of horse manure from nearby communities and
illegally composting the waste without permits. Mounds of manure as tall
as 15 feet covered several acres on the property.

The state requires special permits for composting and storing horse
manure. Those permits require specific nutrient and stormwater
management plans to help protect ground and surface water. Composting
facilities are also inspected regularly to ensure compliance with all
state laws.