Environmental groups Kewaunee Co. CAFO seeks review of wastewater permit

Wisconsin dairy CAFO (Photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR)

Two environmental advocacy groups are seeking a review of the wastewater permit issued by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to a large concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) in Kewaunee County.

Midwest Environmental Advocates and the Environmental Law and Policy Center filed a petition seeking review, saying the “DNR’s failure to incorporate conditions necessary to fulfill its duty to restore and protect the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the environment” must be addressed. waters of the state when given permission.”

In 2021, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that the DNR has the authority to impose stricter regulations on CAFOs, including requiring operators to monitor groundwater pollution and limiting the number of animals that can be housed to protect water quality. The agency has since faced some pushback As for editing ability.

“This case is about ensuring CAFOs are held accountable to Wisconsin’s environmental laws by a DNR that is not afraid to exercise its authority,” Midwest Environmental Defenders Staff Attorney Adam Voskuil said in a statement.

The permit in question was granted in August to Pagels Ponderosa, one of Wisconsin’s largest dairy farms with more than 11,000 cows.

The two environmental advocacy groups represent the Northeast Wisconsin Clean Water Action Council, Friends of Forestville Dam and a Kewaunee County resident whose private drinking water well was contaminated with nitrates. According to the petition, the groups are concerned about the impact of Pagels Ponderosa’s manure management practices on their families’ health, drinking water and the area’s lakes, rivers and streams.

According to the petition, Pagels Ponderosa’s cows are housed in separate facilities five miles apart near the Kewaunee River. The petition states that the facilities produce over 100,000,000 gallons of manure annually and that the areas where the CAFO spreads the manure are in a part of the state that is susceptible to groundwater contamination.

“Prior to the final permit being issued, many community members who participated in the DNR’s public hearing process voiced concerns regarding the impact of Pagels’ manure spreading practices on our groundwater and surface water,” said Christine Reid of Friends of Forestville Dam. a statement. “But the DNR ignored our concerns and approved the permit without making any meaningful changes to protect our water resources.”

SUBSCRIBE: GET MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX