Nishnabotna river group sues co-op over state’s ‘sweetheart deal’ for fish kill

By: Cami Koons

Outlets: Iowa Capital Dispatch

Published: March 17, 2026

Words: 730

Last Updated: 4 months, 2 weeks ago

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A community-led water organization has filed a lawsuit against NEW Cooperative, Inc., for a 2024 fertilizer spill into the East Nishnabotna River that resulted in the death of more than 750,000 fish.

The state reached a settlement with the cooperative in July 2025, asking the company to pay a $50,000 penalty and a payment of $50,000 toward a supplemental environmental project in the county. Nishnabotna Water Defenders and other environmental groups in the …

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