MONROE - Silence fell over the 80-person crowd at the Green County Courthouse Wednesday as the county Land and Water Conservation Committee voted 6-0 in favor of Pinnacle Dairy, a large-scale facility set to be built on 127 acres along County FF and Decatur-Sylvester Road.
But as residents approached the microphone for public comment denouncing the concentrated animal feeding operation as an unnecessary potential pollutant of the county's groundwater with its planned 5,800 cows, applause echoed within the courtroom. Green County sheriff deputies remained stoic in three separate corners of the room.
Jen Riemer, a would-be neighbor of the planned facility in Sylvester Township, has been a frequent outspoken critic of the planned large-scale dairy. With 31 contracts to spread manure over 7,000 acres and indications that groundwater in Green County is highly susceptible to contamination, Riemer expressed concerns about water quality. She added that "the site is a burden to the community."
Others asked Todd and T.J. Tuls, owners of the proposed dairy, to fund wells studies and set up a fund to repair the roads the farm intends to use.
Experts hired by the Tulses have expressed confidence in the building plans and reject the idea of possible groundwater contamination. A presentation by lawyer David Crass of Milwaukee-based firm Michael Best highlighted the presence of a perched water table, indicating the different soil types and how consistency prevents contaminants from reaching groundwater.
But some committee members expressed disgruntlement at the idea of voting for Pinnacle's livestock siting permit application. Jeff Williams spoke his hesitation.
"I guess I've got no choice," Williams said. "Yes."
Williams was joined by fellow committee members Russ Torkelson, Oscar Olson, Ken Hodgson, Kristi Leonard and Dudley Timm. Torkelson initially moved to accept the application.
Requirement standards are outlined in county code. Green County Corporation Counsel Brian Bucholtz said unless there is "clear and convincing evidence" an application does not meet the standards, applicants have the right to approval. The required score upon review is at least 500; Pinnacle received a 575.
There were stipulations added to the plans by Green County Conservationist Todd Jenson. Lingering concerns by Jenson and Natural Resources Conservation Service officials led to the conditions added to the application approval. Jenson said Pinnacle Diary must notify the county if any construction plans change.
Of the four storage containers located on the property, 68 million gallons of liquid manure and processed wastewater and 60,550 tons of solid manure will be kept at Pinnacle. As a part of the storage permit, Jenson said borings will be placed once initial construction is complete to monitor whether "in-flow entered the boring within 24 hours" and that county staff as well as state officials must be present during evaluation. Once tile is installed, surface water will continue to be monitored daily for at least five days to ensure it demonstrates no flow to the trench.
Jenson added that if any problem arises at Pinnacle, operators will work with officials to correct the problem immediately.
Crass said Pinnacle agreed to all conditions. Bucholtz noted that any neighbors within 2 miles of the site have the right to bring forward a grievance. Upon questioning from Williams, he also specified if violations arise, Pinnacle Dairy can be fined, operations halted and permits possibly revoked.
But as residents approached the microphone for public comment denouncing the concentrated animal feeding operation as an unnecessary potential pollutant of the county's groundwater with its planned 5,800 cows, applause echoed within the courtroom. Green County sheriff deputies remained stoic in three separate corners of the room.
Jen Riemer, a would-be neighbor of the planned facility in Sylvester Township, has been a frequent outspoken critic of the planned large-scale dairy. With 31 contracts to spread manure over 7,000 acres and indications that groundwater in Green County is highly susceptible to contamination, Riemer expressed concerns about water quality. She added that "the site is a burden to the community."
Others asked Todd and T.J. Tuls, owners of the proposed dairy, to fund wells studies and set up a fund to repair the roads the farm intends to use.
Experts hired by the Tulses have expressed confidence in the building plans and reject the idea of possible groundwater contamination. A presentation by lawyer David Crass of Milwaukee-based firm Michael Best highlighted the presence of a perched water table, indicating the different soil types and how consistency prevents contaminants from reaching groundwater.
But some committee members expressed disgruntlement at the idea of voting for Pinnacle's livestock siting permit application. Jeff Williams spoke his hesitation.
"I guess I've got no choice," Williams said. "Yes."
Williams was joined by fellow committee members Russ Torkelson, Oscar Olson, Ken Hodgson, Kristi Leonard and Dudley Timm. Torkelson initially moved to accept the application.
Requirement standards are outlined in county code. Green County Corporation Counsel Brian Bucholtz said unless there is "clear and convincing evidence" an application does not meet the standards, applicants have the right to approval. The required score upon review is at least 500; Pinnacle received a 575.
There were stipulations added to the plans by Green County Conservationist Todd Jenson. Lingering concerns by Jenson and Natural Resources Conservation Service officials led to the conditions added to the application approval. Jenson said Pinnacle Diary must notify the county if any construction plans change.
Of the four storage containers located on the property, 68 million gallons of liquid manure and processed wastewater and 60,550 tons of solid manure will be kept at Pinnacle. As a part of the storage permit, Jenson said borings will be placed once initial construction is complete to monitor whether "in-flow entered the boring within 24 hours" and that county staff as well as state officials must be present during evaluation. Once tile is installed, surface water will continue to be monitored daily for at least five days to ensure it demonstrates no flow to the trench.
Jenson added that if any problem arises at Pinnacle, operators will work with officials to correct the problem immediately.
Crass said Pinnacle agreed to all conditions. Bucholtz noted that any neighbors within 2 miles of the site have the right to bring forward a grievance. Upon questioning from Williams, he also specified if violations arise, Pinnacle Dairy can be fined, operations halted and permits possibly revoked.