Livestock Burial Laws for Washington, Oregon and Idaho

Washington

A carcass may be disposed of by burial on the property where the livestock animal died if done with the approval of the property owner. Livestock that have died off the owner’s property may be moved onto the owner’s property for disposal purposes.

A carcass must be buried to a depth so that no part of the carcass is nearer than three feet to the natural surface of the ground.

Every part of the carcass must be covered with at least three feet of soil within twenty-four hours of placement in the ground.

Carcass burial must be:

a. At least 300 feet from any well, spring, or body of surface water, such as a river, stream, lake, pond, or intermittent stream.
b. At least 300 feet from any residence not owned by the owner of the livestock animal
c. At least 50 feet from any property line; and
d. Not in a low-lying area subject to seasonal flooding or within a hundred year flood plain or in a manner that will impact ground water.

Each burial site is limited to one thousand pounds of carcasses or one livestock animal weighing more than one thousand pounds.

Carcass burial is not allowed on a property of less than five acres, except for the burial of a single carcass weighing less than two hundred pounds. The maximum amount of land used for burial during any year is limited to ten percent of the property or one acre, whichever is greater.

Oregon

Any dead domestic animal within mile of any dwelling, or within mile of any running stream of water, must be disposed of within 15 hours.

The owner may choose to bury it, burn it, move it farther from the dwelling or stream, or have it hauled away by a commercial rendering company or commercial carcass pickup service.

If buried, no part of the body shall be nearer than four feet to the natural surface of the ground and every part of such body shall be covered with quicklime.

Burial sites should be selected so that carcasses are placed above the local water tables to ensure that surface water and groundwater aquifers are not hydraulically connected to the burial site.

Burial sites should be deep enough to ensure at least 24 inches (preferably 36 inches) of soil cover over the top of the topmost carcass.

Be sure that burial sites are at least 100 feet inside your own property lines, and that there are no streams or other surface waters, no wells or springs, or other water supply facilities within 100 feet of the burial site.

Idaho

Dead animals shall be buried to such a depth that no part of the dead animal shall be nearer than three feet to the natural surface of the ground.

Every part of the dead animal shall be covered with at least three feet of earth.

The location of a burial site shall be:

a. At least 300 feet from any wells, surface water intake structures, and public or private drinking water supply lakes or springs.
b. At least 300 feet from any existing residences.
c. At least 50 feet from property lines.
d. At least 100 feet from public roadways.
e. At least 200 feet from any body of surface water such as a river, stream, lake, pond, intermittent stream, or sinkhole.
f. Burial sites shall not be located in low-lying areas subject to flooding, or in areas with a high water table where the seasonal high water level may contact the burial pit.

Note: These are statewide guidelines; however you may have to contact your individual county or ordinance for laws specific to your county.

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