Odor issues linger in city of Carthage

While DNR has a satellite office in Neosho, the Carthage location will facilitate closer surveillance of odors emitted by Carthage manufacturers.

Odor issues continue to be a concern for Carthage residents. According to a DNR news release, DNR officials met in late March with Carthage city officials and officials with ConAgra, ADM Milling, Schreiber Foods and Renewable Environmental Solutions to discuss odor issues in the town’s industrial sector.

Daily surveillance of the Carthage area began April 1. On April 20, investigators conducted compliance inspections of RES, ConAgra, ADM Milling and Schreiber Foods to evaluate each facility for water or air pollution compliance concerns.

Reports on those findings were submitted to each facility. DNR has issued a Notice of Excess Emissions to Schreiber Foods, and five NOEEs to Renewable Environmental Solutions. Three of the five issued to RES were later upgraded to Notices of Violations, but the Schreiber NOEE was found to be caused by malfunctioning equipment.

“Opening an extra office in Carthage will enable staff to provide routine odor surveillance throughout the day,” said DNR Director Doyle Childers, in the release. “The department will also have the opportunity to address compliance issues with Carthage area industries.”