Deer Disposal Plan Unravels, Sparking CWD Fears

BEMIDJI, Minn. (AP) -- A plan to dispose of deer carcasses during Minnesota's
upcoming rifle hunting season is unraveling over a waste hauler's fears of spreading chronic wasting disease.

The state placed special dumpsters in parts of central and southeastern Minnesota where the fatal deer brain disease has been found. The plan was to use the containers to safely dispose of potentially infected deer carcasses.

But Waste Management will not accept deer carcasses infected with chronic wasting or that have the potential of being infected. With Minnesota's rifle season about to start, officials worry hunters will toss bones onto the land where the disease can spread to other deer.

Officials of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources told lawmakers Tuesday that Waste Management does not want to be held liable if the infectious material that causes chronic wasting spreads into the wild.