Document mmVY1JLwo9GvdKyyRBXBeoRNQ

Jimenez Family Dairy LLC/Jimenez Family Dairy Inspection Date 07/30/2025 Section I - INTRODUCTION PURPOSE OF THE INSPECTION EPA Region 6 inspector Lucas Bomar arrived at Jimenez Family Dairy (the "Facility") at 9:07 a.m. on 07/30/2025 for an announced inspection. NMED inspector Shawnee Suazo also joined the inspection as part of a joint inspection for training purposes. Inspectors met with the dairy owner, , during the Opening Conference. They presented their credentials to and informed him that this was an EPA/NMED inspection to assess compliance with Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) requirements under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The scope of the inspection was a full compliance evaluation. The inspection began with an introductory overview during the opening conference at the Jimenez Family Dairy office, followed by a site tour. Inspectors wore boot covers for biosecurity, parked the vehicle at the office parking lot, and toured the site in a company car. accompanied the inspectors throughout the site tour. FACILITY DESCRIPTION The Jimenez Family Dairy does not operate under an active NPDES CAFO permit; instead, it has an expired permit, NMG010017, issued on 02/08/1993 and expired on 03/10/1998. The NMG010017 permit number is still used for tracking purposes. At the time of the inspection, the dairy had approximately 500 milking cows, 180 calves, 60 dry cows, and 350 heifers. Milking is done twice a day, with a concrete pad leading up to the parlor. Cows are kept in open lot pens between milking, and calves are housed in calf hutches on the east side of the facility. The milking parlor and concrete pad are flushed with a hose for cleaning. Holding areas are scraped monthly, and most manure solids are given away to third-party farmers. There is one retention control structure (RCS) on site and one solid separating screen, located directly west of the RCS. The RCS is situated south of the open lot pens, which are sloped north to south, routing runoff to the RCS. The milking parlor washout is pumped to the separator, which then flows to the RCS. The facility can also pump to their center pivots from the RCS. The facility has five land application sites (LMUs): LMU 1 (160 acres), LMU 2 (160 acres), LMU 3 (80 acres), LMU 4 (80 acres), and LMU 5 (30 acres). Wastewater can be applied to all fields using its own center pivot, but the facility primarily uses LMU 5 for wastewater application. Some manure solids are applied to LMU 1, LMU 2, LMU 3, and LMU 4. A third-party company uses a spreader for land application of solids. Hay is grown on the LMUs for grazing purposes. Section II - OBSERVATIONS Lagoon Management: The RCS has a synthetic HDPE liner with a hydraulic conductivity rating greater than 1 x 10^-7 cm/s. Inspection of the synthetic liner showed no signs of breaks or tears. The RCS had approximately 5 feet of freeboard (Appendix 1, Photo 2). However, there was some trash debris inside the RCS at the time of inspection (Appendix 1, Photo 2) (See Areas of Concern). There was also vegetation growth along the 2 Jimenez Family Dairy LLC/Jimenez Family Dairy Inspection Date 07/30/2025 berm (Appendix 1, Photo 5) (See Areas of Concern). No visible signs of erosion were observed on embankments. The facility uses grading and perimeter berms to route runoff to the RCS. Land Application Sites: No signs of ponding or runoff were observed in the LMUs. Dewatering Equipment: Inspection of the center pivot showed no breaks or leaks Manure Management: No visible manure stockpile was present on site at the time of inspection. However, there was a build-up of manure solids at the separator screen next to the RCS (Appendix 1, Photo 9). Mortality Management Area: The dairy currently has multiple unburied carcasses scattered in a grassy area south of the commodity storage in the southwestern corner of the facility (Appendix 1, Photo 8) (See Areas of Concern). The owner stated that carcasses are left to dry in the field before disposal. Commodity Storage: All hay, grains, and silage were stored under cover near the southwestern corner of the facility (Appendix 1, Photos 6 & 7). Section III - AREAS OF CONCERN There are three areas of concern: 1) Trash and Debris in the RCS: The presence of trash and debris in the Retention Control Structure (RCS) constitutes improper use and maintenance of the facility's waste management system. The RCS is designed to manage and contain liquid waste, not solid debris, which can interfere with its intended operation. Improper maintenance could lead to structural issues or inefficiencies in waste containment, potentially resulting in violations of Clean Water Act (CWA) requirements. Specifically, Section 301 of the CWA (33 U.S.C. 1311) prohibits the discharge of pollutants into waters of the United States without a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Ensuring the RCS is free from trash and debris is crucial to maintaining its functionality and preventing any indirect impacts on water quality. 2) Vegetation growth along the embankment of the RCS: CWA, Section 301 (33 U.S.C. 1311) prohibits the discharge of pollutants into Waters of the United States (WOTUS) without an NPDES permit. Vegetation on the RCS embankment could lead to structural issues, resulting in unauthorized discharges into WOTUS, which would lead to a CWA violation. 3 Jimenez Family Dairy LLC/Jimenez Family Dairy Inspection Date 07/30/2025 3) Improper disposal of mortalities on site: CWA, Section 301 (33 U.S.C. 1311) prohibits the discharge of pollutants into WOTUS without an NPDES permit. Unburied mortalities can contribute to pollution through runoff or leaching into nearby waters, potentially impacting WOTUS. There were no other areas of concern observed during the inspection. A closing conference was conducted with the owner, during which the areas of concern were discussed. Inspectors left the facility at 11:00 a.m. Section IV - FOLLOW UP No follow-up has occurred since the inspection. Section V - LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix 1: consists of eleven (11) photos taken 07/30/2025. Appendix 2: consists of one (1) aerial photo. 4 Jimenez Family Dairy, L.L.C. / Jimenez Family Dairy Inspection Date 07/30/2025 Appendix 1 Photograph Log UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Appendix 1 Photo No. 1 Facility/Location: Jimenez Family Dairy, L.L.C. Jimenez Family Dairy City: Portales County: Roosevelt County State: NM Filename: R0011033.JPG Photo Date: 07/30/2025 Photographer: Lucas Bomar Witness Name: Direction: S Time: 9:50 am Shawnee Suazo Description: View to the south. Eastern perimeter of the open lot pens. Latitude: 34.1636 Longitude: -103.2876 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Appendix 1 Photo No. 2 Facility/Location: Jimenez Family Dairy, L.L.C. Jimenez Family Dairy City: Portales County: Roosevelt County State: NM Filename: R0011034.JPG Photo Date: 07/30/2025 Photographer: Lucas Bomar Witness Name: Direction: NW Time: 9:54 am Shawnee Suazo Description: View to the northwest. Lagoon (RCS) on the southern end of the pens. Latitude: 34.1611 Longitude: -103.2885 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Appendix 1 Photo No. 3 Facility/Location: Jimenez Family Dairy, L.L.C. Jimenez Family Dairy City: Portales County: Roosevelt County State: NM Filename: R0011035.JPG Photo Date: 07/30/2025 Photographer: Lucas Bomar Witness Name: Direction: W Time: 10:07 am Shawnee Suazo Description: View to the west. Southern perimeter of the facility. Latitude: 34.1616 Longitude: -103.2891 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Appendix 1 Photo No. 4 Facility/Location: Jimenez Family Dairy, L.L.C. Jimenez Family Dairy City: Portales County: Roosevelt County State: NM Filename: R0011036.JPG Photo Date: 07/30/2025 Photographer: Lucas Bomar Witness Name: Direction: W Time: 10:12 am Shawnee Suazo Description: View to the west. Calf hutches with pens in the background. Latitude: 34.1623 Longitude: -103.2855 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Appendix 1 Photo No. 5 Facility/Location: Jimenez Family Dairy, L.L.C. Jimenez Family Dairy City: Portales County: Roosevelt County State: NM Filename: R0011037.JPG Photo Date: 07/30/2025 Photographer: Lucas Bomar Witness Name: Direction: SW Time: 10:21 am Shawnee Suazo Description: Latitude: View to the southwest. Western berm of the lagoon with separator screen in background. 34.1616 Longitude: -103.2899 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Appendix 1 Photo No. 6 Facility/Location: Jimenez Family Dairy, L.L.C. Jimenez Family Dairy City: Portales County: Roosevelt County State: NM Filename: R0011038.JPG Photo Date: 07/30/2025 Photographer: Lucas Bomar Witness Name: Direction: SE Time: 10:25 am Shawnee Suazo Description: View to the southeast. Hay and silage under cover. Latitude: 34.1615 Longitude: -103.2916 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Appendix 1 Photo No. 7 Facility/Location: Jimenez Family Dairy, L.L.C. Jimenez Family Dairy City: Portales County: Roosevelt County State: NM Filename: R0011039.JPG Photo Date: 07/30/2025 Photographer: Lucas Bomar Witness Name: Direction: W Time: 10:25 am Shawnee Suazo Description: View to the west. Grain under cover. Latitude: 34.1613 Longitude: -103.2916 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Appendix 1 Photo No. 8 Facility/Location: Jimenez Family Dairy, L.L.C. Jimenez Family Dairy City: Portales County: Roosevelt County State: NM Filename: R0011040.JPG Photo Date: 07/30/2025 Photographer: Lucas Bomar Witness Name: Direction: W Time: 10:29 am Shawnee Suazo Description: View to the west. Dead cow carcasses in field south of the commodity storage area. Latitude: 34.1606 Longitude: -103.2911 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Appendix 1 Photo No. 9 Facility/Location: Jimenez Family Dairy, L.L.C. Jimenez Family Dairy City: Portales County: Roosevelt County State: NM Filename: R0011041.JPG Photo Date: 07/30/2025 Photographer: Lucas Bomar Witness Name: Direction: E Time: 10:37 am Shawnee Suazo Description: View to the east. Solid separating with solids built up. Latitude: 34.1614 Longitude: -103.2902 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Appendix 1 Photo No. 10 Facility/Location: Jimenez Family Dairy, L.L.C. Jimenez Family Dairy City: Portales County: Roosevelt County State: NM Filename: R0011042.JPG Photo Date: 07/30/2025 Photographer: Lucas Bomar Witness Name: Direction: N Time: 10:41 am Shawnee Suazo Description: View to the north. Western perimeter of the facility. Latitude: 34.1617 Longitude: -103.2909 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Photograph Log Appendix 1 Photo No. 11 Facility/Location: Jimenez Family Dairy, L.L.C. Jimenez Family Dairy City: Portales County: Roosevelt County State: NM Filename: R0011043.JPG Photo Date: 07/30/2025 Photographer: Lucas Bomar Witness Name: Direction: E Time: 10:43 am Shawnee Suazo Description: View to the east. Northern perimeter of the facility. Latitude: 34.1642 Longitude: -103.2906 Jimenez Family Dairy, L.L.C. / Jimenez Family Dairy Inspection Date 07/30/2025 Appendix 2 Aerial Photograph Log UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Aerial Photograph Log Appendix 2 Photo 1: Aerial photograph, sourced from Google Maps, depicting the facility and surrounding areas.