As reported in late 2024, St. Johns Riverkeeper (SJRK) and the Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County (CWC) united to provide citizen oversight of the construction and operation of a high-density chicken facility under construction in the headwaters of the St. Johns River in West Indian River County.
We are collectively concerned that this concentrated agricultural feeding operation (CAFO) will exacerbate high levels of toxic-algae-producing nutrient pollution and fecal bacteria in the headwaters of the St. Johns, which already exceed acceptable levels of pollution.
Chicken CAFOs like this one are known to be harmful to downstream waterways. Chicken waste contains nitrogen, phosphorous, antibiotics, and hormones.
The proposed Morning Star Fields (MSF) egg production facility is expected to have almost 200,000 hens in 24 henhouses by the end of 2025. Wastewater from this facility is proposed to be discharged into a septic tank system.
SJRK took baseline samples near the facility when we first learned of the situation.
Earlier this month, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) exempted MSF from FDEP’s industrial wastewater permitting oversight. According to FDEP rules, a facility can be exempt if its wastewater is treated onsite at a capacity of 5,000 gallons a day or less and will not discharge into waters of the State. Permitting is underway for Health Department approval of their septic tank system.
SJRK and CWC have met multiple times with Morning Star Fields President Bruno Ramos and toured the facility. While we remain concerned about FDEP’s lack of oversight, we are stepping in to ensure that MSR meets their stated intent “to produce the highest quality farm products while minimizing …environmental footprint.”
We will participate in MSF’s May 2025 water quality sampling program and review surface and groundwater monitoring that will be conducted every six months.
MSF’s goal is to be a model facility that will demonstrate the economic viability of environmentally responsible agriculture.
Our goal is to ensure that Morning Star Fields lives up to their commitment and does not harm the St. Johns.