An environmental advocacy group is challenging the Sussex County Board of Adjustment’s approval a new poultry processing plant in Millsboro in Superior Court.
Protecting Our Indian River is a collection of area residents concerned with the potential impact of the proposed plant on the local water supply.
South Korean-based Allen Harim Foods plans to convert the former Vlasic pickle processing plant in Millsboro into a poultry processing facility
The group contends the discharge of animal waste into the nearby Indian River would contaminate it. It also cites a number of existing Superfund and other environmentally sensitive sites in the area as reasons to oppose the construction of the plant.
Harim applied for a land use permit on the site in June of this year. The county board of adjustment approved that application on November 5th.
Harim has entered into a Brownfields development agreement with DNREC to clean up the site as part of its plan.
The plant is expected to employ about 700 people when it opens in November 2014. The Pinnacle Vlasic plant closed in November 2012, costing the state approximately 200 jobs.