environmental Strategist, between the lines: I am often asked to give examples of natural resource damages that would be covered under a pollution policy. In the example below, if the manure was properly applied and then a storm caused for excessive levels of manure to runoff and cause the fish kill, the cost to replace the fish and other aquatic life would be covered. There could also be business interruption claims due to the natural resource damages from fishing guides, marinas and other businesses that depend upon the natural resources to generate revenue. There will most certainly be legal fees for the guilty party, also covered under a pollution policy.
Stormwater runoff is huge and impacts a wide variety of businesses. Other businesses besides agriculture with environmental liability exposure from storm water runoff include contractors, manufacturers, municipalities, hospitals, educational institutions, landowners, airports, golf courses / resorts…..
BY TINA LAM
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Thousands and thousands of fish in a 12-mile stretch of the Black River in Sanilac County were killed, along with other aquatic life, after someone improperly spread manure on farm fields, state officials said today. The manure washed into the river during heavy rains. Anglers started reporting dead fish on Monday. “It’s the biggest fish kill I’ve ever seen,” said Gary Towns, fisheries supervisor for the Department of Natural Resources in Southfield. Some of the dead fish were 2 feet long and as much as 10 years old, he said. He said it would take days to count the dead fish — at least 18 species, including northern pike, greater redhorse and smallmouth bass — and years for the river’s fish population to return to what it was before the spill.
The kill extended from about 3 miles south of Croswell to the Port Huron Game Area, he said. “Anglers are calling us to express anger and sadness,” he said. “It’s unacceptable,” said Bob McCann, spokesman for the Department of Environmental Quality, which investigates contamination of surface waters in the state. The DEQ is still trying to find out what happened, but did trace the problem to manure spread on fields, he said. “We’re going to figure this out and hold whoever is responsible accountable,” he said.