Great Lakes Cheese: 'Limited production' resumes

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Weeks after a massive fish kill at Ischua Creek, Great Lakes Cheese has resumed “limited production” at its facility in Franklinville, the company said Monday.

The return to production came nine days after the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation released its preliminary review of laboratory results from Ischua Creek. The DEC said that data suggested that water collected from the creek downstream of the facility in late August had “levels of nitrite and ammonia in the water that are toxic to fish and other aquatic life.”

“Consistent with plans discussed with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation over the last several days, Great Lakes Cheese is currently containing and testing wastewater on site,” the company said in a statement. “Wastewater is then being removed to permitted farms for use in their fertilization plans. At this time, no wastewater is being discharged into Ischua Creek.

“This agreed-upon, temporary process allows our team members to resume limited production and helps ease supply burdens experienced by the families and farmers who work with our facility, while also preserving the creek’s recovery. We remain in close consultation with the DEC as we continue planning and implementing optimization of our wastewater treatment system. Great Lakes Cheese is carefully evaluating and preparing for every step in the ongoing process to resume safe and environmentally responsible production.”

News 4 Investigates reviewed records that show that this was not the first time the company has polluted the creek. The DEC has said that there is no indication of impacts to drinking water.