It is the leftovers of various food processing industries that have not been recycled or used for other purposes. Think of it like the wastewater that comes out of your sink after you finish washing the dishes. It includes bits of waste, cleaners, water, and anything else that is in the sink. The technical definition from page 2 of the Pennsylvania DEP’s “The Food Processing Residual Management Manual” is: An FPR is an incidental organic material generated by processing agricultural commodities for human or animal consumption. The term includes food residuals, food coproducts, food processing wastes, food processing sludges, or any other incidental material whose characteristics are derived from processing agricultural products. Examples include process wastewater from cleaning slaughter areas, rinsing carcasses, or conveying food materials; process wastewater treatment sludges; blood; bone; fruit and vegetable peels; seeds; shells; pits; cheese whey; off-specification food products; hides; hair; and feathers.

It can be according to page 6 of the Pennsylvania DEP’s “The Food Processing Residual Management Manual”.Any FPR material that has been mixed with a listed hazardous waste, or exhibits hazardous characteristics (e.g., ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity) must be handled as a hazardous waste. An FPR becomes a hazardous waste only under unusual circumstances. One example would be a spill of toxic cleaning agent that was washed into an FPR stream. The entire contaminated FPR stream would require handling as hazardous waste. FPR regulation generally gives “farmers” the benefit of the doubt until there is a complaint or self-report of a problem. However, there is a financial incentive for waste haulers to maximize profits by accepting the largest amount of FPR from customers possible even if it cannot be applied to the land per the letter of the regulation.

The FPR could be the source of well contaminations and quickly spread throughout the watershed. It could be the source of E. coli, nitrates, anti-biotic resistant bacteria or other problems depending on where the FPR and manure are sourced from.

The PA Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for the program which allows FPR to be stored and spread in all counties in Pennsylvania; however, it is not regulated. The DEP Food Processing Residual Management Manual is used as a recommendation, not regulation. The recommendations are grossly out of date. They originated in the 1970s, (with updates in the 80s and 90s) but the last update occurred more than 20 years ago. They do not reflect current scientific understanding of air, water, nutrients, and sediment pollution. The DEP should be protecting our environment and our residents, but instead have folded to big business/lobbying interests. The primary benefit of land application of these wastes is skirting environmental regulations associated to landfills, impoundment and incinerators to reduce costs to the processor.

The Right to Farm Act was passed with the intention of helping farmers avoid nuisance lawsuits so long as they are participating in "normal” farming operations which the owner of this property may or not be for various reasons. It does not state that you can pollute water. Waste haulers have been exploiting the generous provisions given to normal farming operations and real farmers and have begun attempting to use them to shield their dumping activities. From the law itself: It is the declared policy of the Commonwealth to conserve and protect and encourage the development and improvement of its agricultural land for the production of food and other agricultural products. When nonagricultural land uses extend into agricultural areas, agricultural operations often become the subject of nuisance suits and ordinances. As a result, agricultural operations are sometimes forced to cease operations. Many others are discouraged from making investments in farm improvements. It is the purpose of this act to reduce the loss to the Commonwealth of its agricultural resources by limiting the circumstances under which agricultural operations may be the subject matter of nuisance suits and ordinances.

You can read the Food Processing Manual by clicking the link below. Pay close attention to Chapter 8 page 104- Water Supply Protection “If the land application operation adversely affects a water supply, a temporary water supply must be provided within 48 hours and a permanent water supply must be provided within 90 days.”

If you are in the state of PA, please click the link below.

Please click on the link below.

Maryland: Requirements are the most similar to those detailed in the Pennsylvania FPR manual; however, effective in 2023, Maryland codified those restrictions into law and regulated the times at which FPRs could be applied. New York: The regulatory definition of food processing waste does not include waste from processing of animal carcasses or parts. The storage and land application of food processing waste is categorized as exempt, registered or permitted depending on location, quantity and type of material. New Jersey: Regulations refer to the waste generated from food processing and packaging operations as food processing by-product, which is categorized as either food processing residual or food processing vegetative waste. Food processing residuals refers to the solids resulting from treatment of wastewater generated from food processing and packaging operations. Food processing vegetative waste includes the peelings, cores, seeds, etc. A farm operator seeking protection of New Jersey’s Right to Farm Act must apply food processing by-product to a commercial farm in accordance with the requirements of New Jersey law. Virginia: The Virgina Department of Environmental Quality includes food processing waste in its definition of industrial waste. Virginia does permit land application of “industrial residuals,” but regulation requires a permit and notification of land application to the local municipality and the Commonwealth. Ohio: Land application of compost and agricultural waste is exempt from permitting; however, the agricultural waste is limited to non-processed plant material. Food processing waste including raw rendering waste has to undergo processing (i.e.. composting, anaerobic digestion). Raw rendering material from animal food processing facilities may also be sold to a mink ranch, dog kennel, zoo, captive wildlife farm, or a pet food manufacturing plant. West Virginia: The West Virginia Solid Waste Management Rule defines waste generated by animal processing facilities as “Industrial Solid Waste.” The rule notes that land application is not included in Industrial Solid Waste disposal practices. Plant-based food waste may be managed through composting. Small-scale composting is authorized through registration (permit by rule), while large-scale composting is authorized by permit.

Since early August 2021, the properties impacted are all located near Barr Farms LLC, where food processing residual (FPR) which includes poultry is spread to fertilize the fields. Currently, 1.3 million gallons are held at the storage facility at the Barr farm. Three resident’s wells tested positive and were highly contaminated with numerous chemicals found in the wastewater testing parameters. These include Phenols, Ammonia, TKN, and Total Organic Carbon. For these residents there was no treatment plan suitable. The only solution was to rent or buy a 1,550 gallon temporary water tank for their homes. Numerous other wells in the surrounding area were tested using the drinking water parameters. They were found to be extremely high in E coli, Nitrate, and Coliform. Many had to get multi-layer treatments to remedy these situations. The three residents with contaminated wells had to join forces, hire counsel, and had to obtain their own experts, costing the families more time without a permanent water solution and thousands of dollars more in expenses. There was an independent hydrologist that did a study on the limestone and bedrock in the area and concluded that this is the worst area of the state to spread this type of waste.

We live in a Bedrock Limestone area, also known as Karst. One example of this is Ebbert Springs. This means it has vulnerabilities such as sink holes and rock outcroppings, which has been described to be like Swiss Cheese. There was an independent hydrologist that did a study on the limestone and bedrock in the area and concluded that this is the worst area of the state to spread this type of waste. Antrim Township’s very own water supply comes from wells located in areas surrounded by farmland. Many residences within Antrim Township depend on these wells for their daily water supply. Aquifer damage is a very serious situation. Damaged Aquifer’s take years to recover, if ever. If you would like to investigate further please consider the following quotes and links below. "Karst is common to areas underlain by carbonate bedrock (limestone and dolostone). These rocks are more easily dissolved than other rocks by a weak, natural acid formed by the mixture of water and carbon dioxide. The dissolving process is enhanced along the many fractures found within the bedrock, and over time this has created a unique subsurface plumbing network. Just as we have drains and pipes in our homes that help move water from one place to another, the karst system uses the widened fractures in the carbonate bedrock to help convey water to the water table. Typically, the drains in the karst network are clogged with soil, but at times, water can act as a de-clogging agent and flush the karstic drains open, creating a sinkhole. The water-driven nature of karst systems lends them to be more sensitive to changes in land use. Rapid and widespread groundwater contamination or the sudden “unclogging” of a karst drain is a public safety as well as an economic concern. When we consider how to manage storm-water runoff, infrastructure layout and design, and utilize groundwater as a resource, it becomes important to understand the relationships between activities at the surface and their potential impact underground." Also see the following link. http://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=1752495&DocName=ES11_Sinkholes_Pa.pdf The following quote was taken directly from the PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources page titled "Sinkholes in Pennsylvania" “Groundwater Contamination Carbonate rocks are important sources of groundwater in Pennsylvania, yielding millions of gallons of water to commercial and domestic wells. However, because water moves readily from the earth’s surface down through solution cavities and fractures, and undergoes very little filtration, groundwater in limestone is easily polluted. It would be easy to contaminate the groundwater by discharging waste materials into a karst drain. This process would be similar to pouring waste down the drain in our homes. The waste enters the drain and is essentially unchanged as it makes its way to the sewer line. Similarly, as waste enters the karst drains, it follows the pipes to the water table. If the waste happens to be an organic chemical that does not mix well with water, such as oil or gasoline, contamination can be widespread, and the contaminating substance can remain in the groundwater for a long time. Contamination of groundwater is not restricted to industrial sources. Other contaminants, such as sewage, fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, can be traced back to municipal, agricultural, and household sources. And according to Pennsylvania Code, even storm water may be considered a polluting substance (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 2015)”

DEP determined that the well contaminations has been linked to the pits at the Barr Farm. DEP stopped the spreading because of the presence of residual waste (human DNA) found in the pit samples. DEP communicated to Barr Farms LLC and Jones Hauling, LLC that the pits had to be emptied and hauled out using Residual Waste requirements, or obtain a permit from DEP for storing or applying residual waste on the Barr farm. Barr Farms LLC and Jones Hauling, LLC started to empty the pits after Thanksgiving of 2022 and indicated to DEP that the waste was transported to Maryland. DEP requested the certificate/manifest from Barr and Jones Hauling, LLC which has not been provided. Neighbors witnessed the tanks being emptied of approximately 10 to 12 truckloads. They stopped prior to the 12/15 Maryland deadline. As of April 17, 2023 hauling out the remaining residual waste has not resumed.

The 2 tanks at the Barr Farms Storage Facility hold an estimated 1.3 million gallons. There are approximately 6000 gallons to a tanker which comes to about 250 to 275 loads. Based on information from other farmers who have pits, 8% will have to be left in the pit and cannot be taken out which is an estimated 104,000 gallons.

Four other landowners have been contacted to spread FPR in our township. These properties are adjacent to the Conococheague, Castle Greens, Kauffman/Clayhill area, and Gearhart Rd.

You can read their stories and updates by following this link.

Promote responsible storage and spreading of FPR that does not negatively affect water quality and property values. Bring awareness to and educate the community about the risks and negative effects associated with unregulated FPR. Partner with Antrim Township supervisors and local PA State elected officials to implement legislation to monitor and regulate FPR. You can also help support our cause by clicking on the link below.

The following information is taken directly from the Food Processing Residual Manual. Chapter 8 page 104- Water Supply Protection “If the land application operation adversely affects a water supply, a temporary water supply must be provided within 48 hours and a permanent water supply must be provided within 90 days.” Please click on the link below for additional help. Please note:(This is not an exhaustive list of actions you should or should not take. This list is based on a personal experience only, and is in not intended to be a substitute for professional advice in the treatment or your home, health, and/or water. If you find yourself in this difficult and shocking situation, get professional advice specifically detailed for you.)

Please download the document below. Please note: This is not an exhaustive list of actions you should or should not take. The list is based on a personal experience only, and is in not intended to substitute for professional advice in the treatment or your home, health, and/or water. If you find yourself in this difficult and shocking situation, get professional advice specifically detailed for you.

Please click on the link below.

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