Mo. Checks Chicken Stench Complaints

NOEL, Mo. - The state is investigating complaints about the foul stench of rotting chicken wafting from the Tyson Foods Inc. plant and driving tourists away from the Elk River in southwest Missouri


The results of odor detection tests done Aug. 20 outside the plant in Noel were pending Thursday, said Paul Vitzthum, chief of Department of Natural Resources' air and solid-waste unit in Springfield.


The results must be reviewed by DNR staff in Jefferson City before a decision is made on whether a violation occurred, Vitzthum said.


Tyson spokesman Gary Mickelson said the company was cooperating with DNR. The two sides planned to meet in September to discuss the steps Tyson already has taken, as well as future improvements, to address concerns.


"As previously noted, we've already spent tens of thousands of dollars on improvements and intend to invest more," Mickelson said.


The complaint center on Tyson's protein-processing operation. It takes the bones, feathers and other remnants of the millions of chickens processed at the plant every month and turns them into animal feed.


Rodd Lett, owner of Wayside Campground, said he has given refunds this summer to 20 or 30 campers who left his campground near the Elk River because of the smell.


"I certainly don't want to spread bad publicity about Noel, but something's got to be done about the smell," Lett said. "On the days it is bad, it's gut-wrenching. There were a lot of days this summer where we wanted to open the windows and turn off the air conditioner, but we couldn't because of the smell."


Gary Poynor, owner of River Ranch Campground and Canoes, said the odor was so bad that he sued Tyson in early July, asking the court to close the protein plant on the July Fourth weekend and the remaining weekends of the summer.


Tyson has voluntarily shutdown operations on weekends, but Poyner said the odors are still a problem on Fridays.


"They've stopped cooking about 4 a.m. on Saturday, but Friday is our check-in day period so that is still hurting us," he said.


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