The Executive Officer of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Central Valley Water Board) has issued a complaint for $272,928 to the Rego Dairy #2 in Gustine, Merced County, for violations found during a routine Board staff inspection in February 2012. The violations included the illegal disposal of more than 50 decomposing cow carcasses, found partially buried in manure piles in the dairy’s production area, and off-property discharges of manure wastewater and septic waste to a drainage canal. The dairy is owned and operated by the Rego Family Trust. “These violations are extremely egregious,” said Water Board Executive Officer Pamela Creedon. “Though the dairyman has been cooperative in addressing the violations, the Regional Board is proposing this fine to immediately address the real environmental harm caused by these actions and the economic advantage that resulted by using practices that harmed the environment.” (more) July 26, 2012 CVRWQCB Press Release