Hebron, Neb.-State investigators are only saying at this point that fertilizer from an unnamed source caused the deaths of thousands of fish in part of the Little Blue River downstream from Hebron. “At this time I can report that anhydrous ammonia is not a suspected source in this incident,” Department of Environmental Quality spokesman Jim Brunstock advised Green Markets. “We believe that ammonia from liquid nitrogen fertilizer was the likely cause of the fish kill. The source of that fertilizer is not being released, pending the completion of the multi-agency investigation.” He said the situation, which developed the weekend of Aug. 1, is not considered as a continuing environmental hazard since ammonia dissipates into the air and dilutes as it washes downstream. But Brunstock described the fish kill as very extensive – over an eight-mile stretch of the Little Blue River, ranging from minnows to large flathead catfish and including a wide variety of fish species of varying sizes. He said definitive numbers have not yet been determined, but several thousand fish died in the fish kill. He added that though this is not the largest fish kill ever in the state, it still ranks as one of the largest. DEQ has the authority to take enforcement actions against polluters, which could lead to fines or penalties, and additional fees could be assessed for the value and costs of restocking the fish. Full details of the incident will be available after three state agencies complete their investigations and the findings are compiled into an aggregate report by DEQ.
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