Lawsuit filed regarding livestock confinement operations near North Winn School

Four North Winneshiek School District residents have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a case involving the emission of toxic gases by confinement livestock feeding operations near the North Winneshiek School.

The plaintiffs, Samuel Zook, Michelle McLain-Kruse, Annette Laitinen and Birgitta Meade, want a federal court order directing the federal EPA to implement the applicable provisions of the Clean Air Act, which is designed to regulate the discharge of toxic gases and substances into the atmosphere.  The lawsuit is being filed to protect the health of students, faculty, and employees of the North Winneshiek Community School District.
 
The plaintiffs say methane, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide are among the airborne toxins emitted into the air bu confinement operations located near North Winneshiek.

North Winneshiek School District officials say four out of the district's 117 students suffer from asthma, which is actually lower than the national average.