For Immediate Release: Wauzeka Hog Operation found to be in Non-compliance with DNR CAFO Permit
Less than one year after issuing a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) permit, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a legal notice of non-compliance to the Roth Feeder Pig operation in Wauzeka Township in Crawford County. The March 14, 2011 notice mirrors the concernsexpressed by area citizens and environmental groups prior to permitting. According to the notice, the Roth operation has failed to submit plans or adequately address compliance schedules for earthen manure lagoon abandonment, under-barn manure storage, and manure spreading. Additionally, according to DNR, the annual report submitted by Mr. Roth “is deficient in at least the following areas:”
- current animal numbers at the operation;
- amounts of manure spread or liquid manure in storage;
- manure and soil sample test results;
- and dates of manure application and equipment used, among others.
The DNR also extended several deadlines set in the original permit for compliance with actions to protect surface water and drinking water in the area. According to the notice, continued non-compliance by Roth can result in “more stringent and immediate enforcement” including substantial fines.
“These lapses in compliance raise questions regarding the ability of the state’s WPDES permitting process to protect the health and safety of those living near the Roth CAFO,” says Jennifer Nelson of Sustain Rural Wisconsin Network. During the Roth permit process, citizens expressed concerns summarized by Dr. Byron Shaw, Emeritus Professor of Soil and Water Resources, UWSP, “The overall level of nutrient management, high density of animals to the land area, steep slopes, already overloaded soils with phosphorus, proximity to protected surface water resources, proximity to vulnerable groundwater and unrealistically low manure values all make it highly likely that significant water resource problems will occur if this facility is permitted as proposed.”
Rural citizens and neighbors wonder, “What in this process makes us feel safer from the potential impacts of this CAFO to the environment and public health and safety?” stated Edie Ehlert, Crawford Stewardship Project Coordinator. “This spring, CSP and area citizens will continue to monitor water quality around the facility, compliance with the conditions of the permit and follow-up by the DNR.”
HISTORY
In 2007 VSN staff and members worked to educate residents about the dangers of hog CAFOs and advocate in favor of a CAFO moratorium. The following articles describe this campaign in more detail:
Opinion by Kickapoo Free Press which strongly supports a moratorium on new CAFOs and clearly identifies VSN as a significant organizational voice for a process of studying the effects of CAFOs on our area:http://kfp.bondwaresite.com/news.php?viewStory=215
Hog CAFO Moratorium Campaign
UPDATE
April 4, 2011
For Immediate Release: Wauzeka Hog Operation found to be in Non-compliance with DNR CAFO Permit
Less than one year after issuing a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) permit, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a legal notice of non-compliance to the Roth Feeder Pig operation in Wauzeka Township in Crawford County. The March 14, 2011 notice mirrors the concerns expressed by area citizens and environmental groups prior to permitting. According to the notice, the Roth operation has failed to submit plans or adequately address compliance schedules for earthen manure lagoon abandonment, under-barn manure storage, and manure spreading. Additionally, according to DNR, the annual report submitted by Mr. Roth “is deficient in at least the following areas:”
- current animal numbers at the operation;
- amounts of manure spread or liquid manure in storage;
- manure and soil sample test results;
- and dates of manure application and equipment used, among others.
The DNR also extended several deadlines set in the original permit for compliance with actions to protect surface water and drinking water in the area. According to the notice, continued non-compliance by Roth can result in “more stringent and immediate enforcement” including substantial fines.
“These lapses in compliance raise questions regarding the ability of the state’s WPDES permitting process to protect the health and safety of those living near the Roth CAFO,” says Jennifer Nelson of Sustain Rural Wisconsin Network. During the Roth permit process, citizens expressed concerns summarized by Dr. Byron Shaw, Emeritus Professor of Soil and Water Resources, UWSP, “The overall level of nutrient management, high density of animals to the land area, steep slopes, already overloaded soils with phosphorus, proximity to protected surface water resources, proximity to vulnerable groundwater and unrealistically low manure values all make it highly likely that significant water resource problems will occur if this facility is permitted as proposed.”
Rural citizens and neighbors wonder, “What in this process makes us feel safer from the potential impacts of this CAFO to the environment and public health and safety?” stated Edie Ehlert, Crawford Stewardship Project Coordinator. “This spring, CSP and area citizens will continue to monitor water quality around the facility, compliance with the conditions of the permit and follow-up by the DNR.”
HISTORY
In 2007 VSN staff and members worked to educate residents about the dangers of hog CAFOs and advocate in favor of a CAFO moratorium. The following articles describe this campaign in more detail:
Investigative journalism piece which first educated the community about the Livestock Siting Law and how it makes our area vulnerable to unwanted development of CAFOs: http://www.vernonbroadcaster.com/articles/2007/07/17/news/00lead.txt
Moratorium proposal moves through county committees and VSN plays a significant role, especially in education on local environmental concerns, like karst geology:http://www.vernonbroadcaster.com/articles/2007/07/18/news/00lead.txt
Opinion by Kickapoo Free Press which strongly supports a moratorium on new CAFOs and clearly identifies VSN as a significant organizational voice for a process of studying the effects of CAFOs on our area:http://kfp.bondwaresite.com/news.php?viewStory=215
Article about the county board’s meeting at which the moratorium was voted down. Comprehensive planning was authorized at the same meeting: http://www.vernonbroadcaster.com/articles/2007/08/09/news/00lead.txt
Investigative journalism piece which first educated the community about the Livestock Siting Law and how it makes our area vulnerable to unwanted development of CAFOs:
http://www.vernonbroadcaster.com/articles/2007/07/17/news/00lead.txt