HALL COUNTY, NEB. — The Hall County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Feb. 13 to send a letter to JBS regarding a breach of a wastewater lagoon near its Grand Island meat processing plant.

According to the letter, the Nebraska Department of Environment (NDEE) and Energy stated in a recent meeting that the breach caused two million gallons of sludge to enter the local Wood River. 

NDEE also addressed concerns about nearby private wells and nearby private lakes for residents who live near the lagoon.

“The county board urges JBS to become more accountable in policies and practices concerning air and water environmental issues,” the letter stated. “The noncompliance issues are exceedingly far too frequent and need to be addressed.”

On Jan 30, the board of commissioners said it held a meeting where it heard numerous concerns from citizens. 

Commissioner Jane Richardson invited representatives from JBS to attend the meeting more than once but nobody from the company attended.

MEAT+POULTRY reached out to JBS for comment but did not receive it at the time of publication.