Composting Road Kill materials developed from this project::

• 12p Fact Sheet (PDF)
• 8-Minute DVD download
• Poster (PDF)
• Pathogen Analysis of NYSDOT Road-Killed Deer Carcass Compost Facilities - Temperature & Pathogen: Final Report
• Literature Review
• Other Project reports and photos

Over 25,000 dead deer carcasses are managed annually by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Disposal options are limited and appropriate disposal is expensive. Current NYSDOT practices include contracting with service providers to pick up and dispose of the animals, dragging animals further off the road or placing them in pits and depressions off side roads. These methods are becoming less acceptable as rural areas become more populated and there is increased concern for environmental quality. Passively aerated static pile composting is proving to be a good method of managing these wastes. This study was designed to answer the following questions: (click for project description).

• What is the thermal stability/sensitivity of the pathogens that might be present in road-killed wildlife in NYS?
• Are there worker health and safety issues?
• When is the process finished?
• Where can the finished product be used?

Cornell Waste Management Institute Personnel:

Ellen Harrison, Principal
Jean Bonhotal
Mary Schwarz

NYS Department of Transportation Project Manager:

Elisabeth Kolb

Cooperators:

Susan Stehman, Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine
Nellie Brown, Cornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Will Brinton, Woods End Laboratories, Maine

Technical Working Group:

Tim Baker, NYS Department of Transportation
Mary Brophy, NYS Department of Transportation
Jim Carey, NYS Department of Transportation
Peter Howard, NYS Department of Transportation
Ray Oram, NYS Department of Transportation
Mary Ellen Papin, NYS Department of Transportation
Dennis Pawlicki, NYS Department of Transportation
Sandra Rapp, NYS Department of Transportation
Maurico Roma, NYS Department of Transportation
Robb Smith, NYS Department of Transportation
David Tackley, NYS Department of Transportation
Kyle Williams, NYS Department of Transportation
Theresa Laibach, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Sally Rowland, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Alan Woodard, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
David Dziewulski, NYS Depatrment of Health

NYS Department of Transportation Pilot Sites: Cortland, Highland and Watertown:

Mike Augustine, NYS Department of Transportation
Tim Baker, NYS Department of Transportation
Greg Grimshaw, NYS Department of Transportation
Ron Holland, NYS Department of Transportation
Elisabeth Kolb, New York State Department of Transportation
Dennis Pawlicki, NYS Department of Transportation
Tom Story, NYS Department of Transportation

Research Site: Cornell

Drew Lewis, Cornell Farm Services
Gary Tennant, Cornell Farm Services

Links to Various Aspects of the Project:

• Field Test of Sentinel Bags (warning...contains some graphic images)
• Pile Building at Pilot Sites: Watertown, Cortland and Highland
• Pile Building at Cornell's Research Site (warning...contains some graphic images)
• Week 3 Bag Pulling for Pathogen Testing at the Research Site
• Final Progress Report (04/01/08-06/30/08)
• Photos of the Project (warning...contains some graphic images)