DEP Letter to Parx Horsemen

Dear Horsemen,

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) has determined that storm water run-off from the Philadelphia Park Racetrack stable area has the potential to pollute nearby waterways.  The PADEP has issued an order to Philadelphia Park with specific requirements that will stop this potential pollution. One requirement of this order is that Philadelphia Park Racetrack begins collecting all used bedding and manure in covered containers by June 30, 2010.

These containers will be used in place of manure pits. There will be one container in place of each manure pit, and they have begun to arrive. As the containers are placed between the barns, horsemen will be required to discontinue use of the manure pits and instead place all material from stall cleaning inside the new containers. The PADEP order explicitly states that all material cleaned from stalls must be placed inside the container. Under no circumstances will horsemen be allowed to dump material from stalls on the ground outside of the container. Violations of this directive from the DEP will result in significant charges assessed against horsemen for clean-up.

There will be separate containers for straw and shavings just as there have been separate manure pits for straw and shavings. As is currently the case, dumping shavings in the containers labelled for straw only will not be allowed. It is to everyone’s benefit that horsemen and Philadelphia Park cooperate in this effort to prevent pollution of our local waterways and comply with the DEP’s order.

Thank you,
Philadelphia Park