Catastrophic Fish Kill Forces New York To Punish Upstate Company

A New York cheese company caused a massive fish kill. The company just received a massive fine and major corrective orders.

The New York State DEC announced that Great Lakes Cheese, based in Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, with a $475,000 penalty.

Company Accused Of Causing Catastrophic Damage

Officials say the company caused a catastrophic discharge into Ischua Creek back in August 2025 that killed tens of thousands of fish and other wildlife.

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"Great Lakes Cheese violated the environmental laws and permits in place to protect the region’s precious natural resources," Commissioner Lefton said. "DEC’s enforcement action not only secures a large fine but also requires a project that will benefit environmental quality in the community and help it heal from the significant loss of tens of thousands of fish and other aquatic species."

The enforcement isn’t just a fine. It also forces the company to make sweeping changes to its wastewater plant, tighten air and chemical controls, and install real-time water quality monitoring to prevent another disaster.

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Under the Order on Consent, Great Lakes Cheese must complete extensive corrective actions, including hiring third-party monitors, fixing its biogas system, and ensuring its wastewater treatment plant meets strict SPDES limits before operations can fully resume.

Drinking Water Not Impacted

New York State also reviewed potential drinking water impacts "and found none," officials say.

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