The Delaware Environmental Appeals Board turned down an appeal by local residents over approval by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control for a remediation plan for the former Vlasic property near Millsboro.
Poultry producer Allen Harim wants to acquire the site from current owner, Pinnacle Foods Group LLC. Allen Harim has indicated that site would add 700 jobs and represent a $100 million investment.
On Tuesday, the board unanimously denied the appeal, confirming DNREC’s approval of the Brownfield remediation plan.
Allen Harim noted in a release that the 26-page opinion references the nearly 5,000-page report developed by an outside consultant, covering virtually every aspect of the brownfield remediation process, “supported by extensive testing processes and results, and including additional monitoring.”
Opponents had claimed the plant would cause more pollution at the former Pinnacle Vlasic pickle plant. There were also complaints about truck traffic, possible odors and other potential problems.
Opponents also employed some of the tactics employed by foes of the proposed Data Centers project in Newark, including legal action and widespread use of social media to make their case.
Delaware Public Media reported that board decision indicated that some of the pollution cited by the plan’s opponents could have come from their own neighborhoods..
Supporters said the plant would deal with long-standing pollution problems and that letting the site remain idle would not address any existing issues.
In response to the ruling, Allen Harim CEO, Steven A. Evans, said, “Allen Harim is pleased with the reaffirmation by the board that our proposed operations, following the DNREC approved plan and related regulations, will not pose an environmental risk to the surrounding community. The board’s unanimous vote further validates what we have maintained all along.”
“This is a very positive step, but it is just one of many necessary to complete the purchase of the property,” continued Evans. “We appreciate the support of legislators in Sussex County and in state government, as well as the commitment of the more than 200 growers across Delmarva who produce the highest quality traditional, antibiotic-free and Halal-blessed chicken. We are squarely focused on continuing to grow our business across the county, the state and the region, Evans said.
Headquartered in Seaford, Allen Harim operates chicken processing facilities in Harbeson, Delaware and Cordova, Maryland; breeding operations in Liberty, North Carolina; a hatchery in Dagsboro, Delaware, and a hatchery and feed mill in Seaford, as well. The company employs more than 1,500 people in the United States, as well as more than 200 independent growers and 25 company farms across Delmarva.
While not related to the Allen Harim situation, Delmarva Poultry Industry, held its last annual chicken festival in the area, citing other priorities. Growers and processors have been seeing legal and other challenges to their operations from those who believe broiler operations are threatening waterways with pollution.
