SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb.—A retention pond used by Western Sugar Cooperative has been identified as the source of odors reported by residents in the vicinity east of Scottsbluff and Gering.
Odor complaints were reported before a slurry breakout from the pond in mid-April, according to Brian McManus, spokesman for the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.
“The complaints have been longer term than April,” McManus said. “They have been the source of ongoing discussions with Western Sugar.”
According to McManus, Western is restructuring its operations, and shutting down the pond is included in that plan.
“We don’t know when the pond will be shut down, but we’re working with them on that,” McManus said Monday afternoon.
McManus said the agency had not received recent complaints on the odors, but other local agencies have had contacts regarding the odor.
“It’s been on our radar for some time, and we continue looking at it,” McManus said, noting that Western has expressed plans to take the evaporation pond out of its system.
Heather Luther, spokesperson in Western Sugar Cooperative’s Denver office, said the company does not have any comment at this time, but has been and will continue working with NDEQ on the problem.
Source: www.starherald.com