You could see more money go towards farmers to help address water and soil conservation efforts as a part of a new bill introduced by Rep. Joel Kitchens. If signed into law, farmers would have access to millions of dollars through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to make further improvements to their practices to help store more nutrients in the soil and prevent pollutant leaching and run-off. Producer-led watershed groups like the locally-run Peninsula Pride Farms can currently access funds through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. The announcement comes as residents and farmers are at odds over two recent developments in Door and Kewaunee counties.  In Kewaunee County, residents are keeping a close eye on a court case where a farmer, a manure hauler, and an agricultural advisor are being charged with conspiring to commit fraud with the nutrient management plan for Wakker Dairy in Kewaunee. In Door County, residents are lining up in opposition to a proposed herd expansion at S&S Jerseyland Dairy in rural Sturgeon Bay. They call Door County officials to approve a new public health and groundwater protection ordinance and for DNR officials to conduct an environmental assessment before a new pollution discharge permit is approved. Kitchens says farmers have made significant gains in addressing water quality concerns in the region and will have to continue working with the DNR and the community to ensure the positive momentum continues.

Kitchens says another bill that will be introduced will expand the well compensation program for owners in the state in cases where their drinking water supply is contaminated. He adds that the two bills build on the success of the programs in the last budget cycle and on what was discussed in meetings with the Speaker’s Task Force on Water Quality.