On March 11, 2024 NEW Cooperative reported a fertilizer storage tank valve was left on over the weekend of March 9-10 releasing ~265,000 gal liquid nitrogen fertilizer (Urea Ammonium Nitrate) to a drainage ditch which entered the East Nishnabotna River. A fish kill was observed from the area of entry for ~49.8 miles of IA, continued for ~9 miles in MO, and <1 mi NE to the confluence with the Missouri River.

The natural resource trustees for the Nishnabotna Fertilizer Spill, U.S. Department of the Interior (Fish and Wildlife Service), the State of Iowa (Department of Natural Resources), State of Nebraska (Department of Water, Energy, and Environment), and State of Missouri (Department of Natural Resources), initiated a natural resource damage assessment and restoration (NRDAR) under the Comprehensive environmental response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) in November 2024. The Preassessment Screen and Determination and Notice of Intent to Conduct an Assessment (NOI) are available on this website. The Trustees identified surface water and fish, including the federally endangered pallid sturgeon and habitats supporting natural resources, as potentially having been injured by exposure to the release of hazardous substance into the Nishnabotna River.

The assessment is ongoing. Future updates on the NRDAR will be made available on this website.