A 2021 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling is proving to have a big impact on what happens in your backyard. That ruling paved the way to allow state regulators to consider potential environmental impacts when ruling on permits for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) owners and high-capacity well operators. The DNR is also allowed to place extra conditions on farms, such as groundwater monitoring, as a part of its permit approval process. The decision has impacted recent rulings on permits handed down to four CAFOs in the state, including Kinnard Farms in Casco and S&S Jerseyland Dairy in Sturgeon Bay. For S&S Jerseyland Dairy, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is allowing the farm to have up to 10, 331 animal units in their operation, which is approximately 4,000 less than what was originally listed. The farm will also have to install groundwater monitoring wells and submit a groundwater monitoring plan. Similar conditions led to an agreement between the DNR and Kinnard Farms that the operation installs a manure treatment facility on-site that could eliminate a lot of additional truck traffic and the need for long-term storage of liquid manure. The facility and its technology will be a part of the discussion at next week's Kewaunee County Land and Water Conservation meeting. Peg Sheaffer from the Midwest Environmental Advocates is happy with the progress being made.
The Associated Press reported on Thursday that Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce filed a suit on behalf of the Wisconsin Dairy Alliance and Venture Dairy Cooperative fighting against the state regulators in charge of levying the rules on farmers. The groups allege that the DNR’s requirements conflict with federal law ruled on in 2005 and 2011.
Tim Trotter, CEO of Dairy Business Association, called for room for more compromise among stakeholders. "The best outcomes for all involved come when the farming community, the DNR and other stakeholders work together to ensure these regulatory conditions are applied practically. Every situation carries its own unique circumstances which we hope will be carefully considered.
More broadly, our dairy farmers are demonstrating a deep commitment to innovative technology and practices that reduce the environmental impact of their farms. They are doing so alongside solutions-oriented conservation groups recognizing progress is made when pursuing common goals together. At the end of the day, we all want clean water and, at the same time, should want opportunities for farmers who may seek to grow their businesses. Both are surely attainable."
