FPS staff report
July 8, 2008

Minerva Dairy has agreed to pay $6,067 in restitution for a fish kill in Big Sandy Creek.

Ohio Department of Natural Resources officials said the cheese factory accidentally discharged whey, a milky substance into its sewer system in mid June. The whey went through the village of Minerva’s wastewater treatment plant and into the Big Sandy Creek, affecting a 1.5-mile stretch downstream from the plant.

The company agreed to pay the restitution for the fish that were killed.

“Minerva Cheese Factory has been very cooperative with the investigation,” said Doug Miller, Division of Wildlife law enforcement supervisor for northeast Ohio. “This is an unfortunate circumstance, but truly unintentional.”