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30,000 Fish Killed By Waste From Biodiesel Plant

- by Roger McEowen

August 5, 2008

A southeast Missouri farmer has plead guilty to Clean Water Act criminal violations.  James Raulerson, 48, of Holland, Mo., admitted to dumping an undetermined amount of decomposing glycerin, methanol and oil generated from the Natural Biodiesel Plant LLC in Braggadocio, MO.  The pollutants were discharged into the Belle Fountain Ditch, a water of the United States, killing more than 30,000 fish and other aquatic life.  Raulerson faces up to three years in prison and $250,000 at his Nov. 24, 2008, sentencing.