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Posted inEnvironment, Government, Health & Welfare, Water Watch Wisconsin

After criticizing judge, DNR secretary declines to ‘correct’ ruling on Kewaunee dairy water permit

Among those watching the case for potential statewide impact are rural residents, groundwater advocates and farmers — including Kinnard Farms co-owner Lee Kinnard, whose permit is at issue.

“It doesn’t affect Kinnard Farms. This affects the dairy industry,” Kinnard said. “This is much bigger.”

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.