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Residents, DPNR and farm counsel clash over alleged runoff at Prosperity Farm; committee seeks lab data
Summary
Residents and environmental advocates said aerial photos and tests point to black runoff from Prosperity Farm reaching beach areas. DPNR said weekly beach testing is public and found elevated enterococci offshore but no published finding of vinasse leaving the farm; farm counsel disputed allegations and called for a legislative fix to clarify agricultural processing law.
At a lengthy Senate committee hearing on Bill 36‑0211, testimony about water quality and alleged discharges from Prosperity Farm dominated public comment and lawmakers’ questions.
Alice Charles of People Protecting Places presented aerial photographs she said show concentrated dark runoff on Prosperity Farm that crosses a culvert and continues to Pemberton’s Land and Rainbow Beach. "I have proof from an aerial photo... it's generated right there on the property," Charles told the committee, asking for immediate enforcement and clearer statutory protections.
DPNR Commissioner Champier Oriole acknowledged community concern and described the department’s monitoring and investigative…
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