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Thousands of catfish stuck on Allegan Co. lands after flooding

Posted at 4:20 PM, Jun 24, 2015
and last updated 2015-06-24 16:44:01-04

GUN PLAIN TOWNSHIP, Mich.  -- Recent flooding at a private Allegan County farm with catfish ponds is causing a headache for local residents and officials.

Gun Plain Township Supervisor Michael Vandenberg says thousands of catfish have spilled out of the nearby ponds and are stranded in drainage ditches and on private land in the area of Gainder Road and Carrie Avenue.

He has contacted the county health department and road commission because he's concerned the fish will die and pose a health hazard.

Catfish floodJay Wesley with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources tells FOX 17 that the department is aware of the problem, but since the fish are on private property and came from private ponds they are not responsible for clean-up.

However, he said because it could become a health hazard, the DNR may consider getting involved.  The property owner where the fish came from could be responsible for the clean-up costs, he said.

The DNR will meet to discuss their involvement in the clean-up at 8 a.m. Thursday.

FOX 17 has a crew in Gun Plain Township and will update this developing story.