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May 6, 2024Red Oak, Iowa |  By: Jeremy Werner

IA residents demand accountability in fertilizer spill

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RED OAK, Iowa - Residents across Iowa are rallying for action following a fertilizer spill that devastated the East Nishnabotna River in Montgomery County.

Over 60 concerned citizens from 18 Iowa counties have united, penning a letter to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), demanding accountability for the environmental catastrophe.

The spill, which occurred at the new co-op facility in Red Oak early in March, resulted in the release of nearly 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer into a tributary, decimating nearly 750,000 fish along almost 50 miles of the river.

The letter implores the DNR to conduct a thorough investigation into the spill's cause and hold responsible parties accountable. It urges consideration of both civil and criminal actions, including referral to the Iowa Attorney General.

Additionally, residents are calling for a review of regulations governing the storage of agricultural chemicals. They seek proactive measures to prevent future incidents of this magnitude.