A proposed pig CAFO spurred five northwest Wisconsin towns to regulate big farms. After one rescinded its ordinance, others wonder if they’ll face lawsuits.
Tag: Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs)
Posted inEnvironment
EPA still lacks method for measuring CAFO air pollution
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not complied with its own mandate to protect Americans from the harm of air pollution from big farms.
Posted inEnvironment, Failure at the Faucet
Wisconsin Supreme Court weighs state power to protect water from farm pollutants
The outcome of a nearly decade-long dispute in Kewaunee County could shape regulatory power across state government.
Posted inWisWatch Blog
Kewaunee mega-dairy asks DNR secretary to overrule judge’s permit modifications
In his ruling, Boldt blamed widespread well pollution in the area on what he called a “massive regulatory failure.” Now the farm is challenging his order that its permit include groundwater monitoring and a cap on the number of cows.
Posted inEnvironment, Government, Groundwater supply
Surge in big dairies backdrop for local efforts to curb cows’ environmental impacts
The growth in large dairies, and concerns about manure disposal from operations of all sizes, have fueled efforts to more tightly regulate their operations or siting. Here’s a partial roundup.
Posted inEnvironment, Government, Groundwater supply
Big farms, frac sand mines could feel force of judge’s groundwater ruling
Two weeks ago, Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey Boldt approved the state Department of Natural Resources’ issuance of permits for a large and controversial dairy farm in Central Wisconsin. But he also reduced the amount of water the farm could pump from proposed high-capacity wells and required the DNR to consider the impact of the withdrawals in conjunction with other, nearby wells — a concept known as cumulative impacts.
Posted inEnvironment, Government, Health & Welfare, Water Watch Wisconsin
Bad wells spur Kewaunee County to mull waste-spreading restrictions
A proposal to ban waste spreading in winter and early spring on fields with shallow soil is facing opposition from powerful agricultural interests and questions about its legality.
Posted inEnvironment, Health & Welfare, Water Watch Wisconsin
Manure spraying under scrutiny
Life for Wisconsin families has been disrupted by the relatively rare practice in Wisconsin of using water irrigation systems to spray liquid manure on farm fields. Now the issue has taken on new urgency as more large dairy farms consider using the practice.