Ironic that one of the most environmentally friendly farms in the region could be fined for an accident that could have been a major ecological catastrophe.

Twin Birch Dairy Farm, located near Skaneateles, had to deal with a massive manure spill after a pipe burst unexpectedly on July 9. It is estimated that nearly 25,000 gallons of manure spilled into a tributary that feeds into Dutch Hollow Brook.

Fortunately the spill was contained before it reached Owasco Lake.

The success of the containment is due in large part to the farm that contacted the DEC immediately to alert them to the situation. The DEC is now assuring that any negative effects are limited and those areas that receive water from Owasco Lake, such as the city of Auburn, should not be concerned.

I try to imagine what would have happened if the spill had been more severe. The complications of such an accident would surely run into each other like dominoes.

Can you imagine not being able to shower, cook or do laundry without first boiling or even bleaching the water?

A close friend of mine from high school makes her living traveling to the underdeveloped nations of the third world, educating populations as big as Auburn how to filter heavily polluted (and often limited) fresh water resources to reduce the spread of disease.

She works directly with people so disadvantaged that they don't understand the potential health risk of bathing and drinking from the same lakes and rivers used in place of sewage treatment.

However as the spill was contained in a timely manner, I hope that the Twin Birch Dairy Farm isn't penalized with a weighty fine. Consider that this farm was recognized in 2002 by Onondaga County Soil & Water Conservation District as the conservation farm of the year.

Twin Birch decreases the number of pathogens it puts out by converting methane into electricity. The process safely utilizes a natural resource and reduces odor.

Ultimately it was an unforeseen accident, outside of the farm's control. If the accident had been the result of human negligence, I may feel differently.

But as this incident was brought on by faulty equipment and as no serious harm was caused, as far as I'm concerned the issue should no longer be a public concern.

Carole Estabrook's column appears Mondays in The Citizen, and she can be reached at estabrookcarole@yahoo.com