SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Agencies that issue environmental permits to Ohio's large livestock farms now are prodding some racetracks to get permits since they have so many horses.

Beulah Park in Grove City last month became Ohio's first racetrack to seek a state livestock environmental permit from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Beulah Park stables 1,000 horses; facilities with 500 or more horses must have those permits.

"A lot of times, they (racetracks) just didn't show up on anybody's radar," said Kevin Elder, executive director of ODA's Livestock Environmental Permitting Program. He said officials have discussed whether the state fairgrounds in Columbus also should have to get a permit.

Fair officials for Clark and Champaign counties were unaware of the permits affecting their fairgrounds.

Beulah Park disposes of 1,800 tons of manure mixed with straw annually by hauling it to a mushroom farm in Pennsylvania, according to the Ohio EPA, which is reviewing Beulah's recently submitted application for a federal pollution prevention permit.

Thistledown in Cleveland received a similar permit from the EPA in 2006. That track can stable up to 1,720 horses.

Other racetracks under review include Scioto Downs in Columbus (700 horses), Northfield Park in Northfield (700 horses), and River Downs in Cincinnati (1,500 horses).

River Downs was told in 2005 it needed a federal permit from the EPA but hasn't yet applied for one, the agency said. The racetrack's manure stockpiles near the Ohio River aren't contained, "so there have almost certainly been discharges from those," according to Cathy Alexander of the Ohio EPA. No fines have been issued.

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