A preliminary state estimate covers 25 species in Basin Run. The farm is already facing a state lawsuit over alleged water pollution.
Nearly 11,000 fish representing 25 species have died in Basin Run in Cecil County, Maryland. Preliminary findings by the state Department of the Environment point to an overflow from a manure lagoon at Kilby Farms as the cause. Fish were found along more than four miles of the stream downstream from the farm.
The incident comes amid a state lawsuit over alleged repeated discharges of manure and other pollutants. Officials say the operation failed to comply with a 2025 settlement and lacks required discharge-permit coverage. A hearing on the state’s request to hold the farm in civil contempt is scheduled for October 13.
The owner and his lawyer did not respond to questions from The Baltimore Banner. The lawyer disputes the state’s findings, saying pollution may enter the stream upstream from the farm and that he has not seen proof the operation caused previous incidents. The owner said he paid a $50,000 penalty under the settlement and invested millions in improvements. The department said a preliminary court injunction already bars discharges into Basin Run.