A biotechnology plant in Fort Dodge, CJ Bio America Inc., has agreed to pay more than $90,000 to the state for a spill that resulted in a fish kill in Lizard Creek, according to a consent order with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Spill Details

The spill occurred in April 2025, when the facility, which manufactures amino-acid additives for livestock, accidentally overfilled a bladder with a manufacturing byproduct. While the majority of the byproduct was contained in a storm water channel, an unknown amount of the byproduct flowed to an adjoining crop field and its tile intakes.

The material entered the South Branch of Lizard Creek from the tile drainage of the field. DNR field staff observed brown, murky water in the South Branch of Lizard Creek, which flows into Lizard Creek and eventually into the Des Moines River.

Water testing conducted by the department revealed elevated ammonia levels downstream from the tile drainage to the confluence with the Des Moines River.

Consequences

An investigation from fishery staff found the spill killed close to 72,000 fish in the affected waters. Per the consent order, CJ Bio agreed to pay $73,819 in fish kill restitution. Rock bass, smallmouth bass and suckers accounted for the majority of the fish restitution cost.

In addition, CJ Bio agreed to pay more than $9,100 in investigative costs and an administrative penalty of $7,500. Per the consent order, CJ Bio agreed to pay a total of $90,419.

CJ Bio will also install and maintain monitors in facility storage bladders, update its plan for stormwater pollution prevention and work with the owner of the adjoining field to install a gate valve in the tile line.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.