Hickman Family Farms, based in Buckeye, is facing a federal lawsuit of $264 million. The egg producer is accused by residents and environmental activists of polluting the air with hazardous chemicals and doing nothing to mitigate the impact.

The two farms noted in the lawsuit are located in Tonopah and Arlington, and nearby residents say that there is an “unbearable stench,” which has made them sick.

The lawsuit, filed by environmentalists, claims that Hickman is polluting the area with ammonia, and breaking federal laws by not reporting the dangerous levels to residents and government agencies.

Billy Hickman, Vice President of Operations, acknowledged in front of a judge that the farm does produce ammonia, he didn’t know that it was polluting the air, and that he doesn’t know where the farm’s ammonia goes.

“It seems like a rather cavalier attitude these people have, like, we’re sorry about your problem, but were making all this money,” says Stephen Brittle, who works with Don’t Waste Arizona. “But we have environmental laws to protect people from those kind of people.”

Residents are reportedly feeling the impact over a wide range of area surrounding the farm. 

“The other day I was coming home, the cloud coming off of them was so bad you can smell them for miles off the freeway,” says resident Carolyn Burton. “To me, it burns my throat. I start coughing, my nose runs, my eyes water.”

While the environmentalist plaintiffs in the case are asking for a $264 million fine, presiding Judge Murray Snow has stated that any penalty imposed would be no where near that amount.