Mar. 26, 2012 -- On January 26, 2012, the EPA inspected the hatchery at Foster Poultry Farms and found unauthorized discharges of pollutants from its process wastewater lagoon to an unnamed tributary of Leatherman Creek.

Leatherman Creek drains into Black Creek Bayou and it in turn drains into the Red River. The facility was ordered to immediately stop all discharges of pollutants into waters of the United States.

As a result of the inspection, Foster Poultry Farms was ordered to immediately take action to stop all discharges of pollutants from its process wastewater lagoon. Within 30 days they must submit to the EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality a certified summary, including photographs, that documents the unauthorized discharges have been stopped.

In a news release, the company said it took action to address the reported wastewater aeration issue related to its Athens, LA, Hatchery on January 26, the same day as the EPA inspection. The company has since taken permanent corrective actions which included installation of a new aerator. All EPA requirements have been met, the company said.

The company has been honored in the past for managing its environmental commitments. The California-based company earned the state of California’s highest environmental honor, the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA). Foster Farms was also the recipient of the POWER Award which honors companies implementing programs that serve as models to others and provide solutions to water issues.