MONROE - In a discussion involving Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations and, although never mentioned by name, the prospect of the proposed 5,800-cow dairy operation Pinnacle Dairy, Green County supervisors on Tuesday talked over options for ensuring large-scale farms adhere to regulations.
Pinnacle Dairy is considered a CAFO by state designation because it will have more than 1,000 cows in its operation. County Conservationist Todd Jenson explained to county board members that state legislation "stripped" county ordinances outlining livestock siting and left some guidelines for local officials.
In a $1,000 permit, any CAFO applying within Green County must submit a plan for run-off, odor, nutrient and manure storage management. There must also be a public meeting before the Land and Water Conservation Committee grants a permit.
"We cannot put any emotions into our reviews," Jenson said. "It either meets our specs or it doesn't."
Plans for Pinnacle Dairy were originally put forward more than a year ago, but county officials only more recently received the application in full. Generally, 90 days are given for the review process. Although not officially referencing the large-scale farm because Pinnacle was not named on the agenda, County Corporation Counsel Brian Bucholtz indicated the permit decision for the CAFO will most likely be made on April 6.
A major criticism of the planned large-scale dairy facility along County FF and Decatur-Sylvester Road in Sylvester Township is the lack of oversight by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Spanning 127 acres of land, the dairy farm will not only host four football field-sized manure lagoons and an all-concrete enclosed barn, but will also have contracts with more than 30 local landowners to spread manure. Though the DNR approved the state permit application, reports on daily operations and therefore adherence to the rules, are submitted by CAFOs.
Jenson said he is confident the outlined regulations are sufficient to protect Green County groundwater. Despite this, other residents have expressed fears of groundwater contamination, caused by excessive manure being spread along fields within the county.
When Pinnacle Dairy was proposed, potential neighbor Jen Riemer of Riemer Family Farms petitioned Sylvester Township for a temporary stay of any CAFO construction. The moratorium was passed by Sylvester board members after Riemer served on a science committee which found evidence that Green County groundwater has a high susceptibility for contamination.
Green County Supervisor Betty Grotophorst has been a critic of the large dairy farm in the past. During the board meeting Tuesday, she asked whether county officials have any "recourse for citizens" when contamination occurs.
"It's not a matter of if," Grotophorst said. "It's a matter of when."
Supervisor Erica Roth questioned whether the county could ask for some power back in order to regulate any large-scale dairy operations in place of an understaffed DNR. Supervisors agreed to contact the six state legislators who represent Green County and invite them to a meeting in hopes of convincing them to advocate at the state level to allow county officials to have more direct oversight of CAFOs.
Supervisor Paul Beach wondered whether higher regulation could be done on a county level through new law, a measure he said other localized government entities were initiating.
"Some where they have great concerns ... are taking it upon themselves," Beach said.
County Clerk Mike Doyle agreed to send out invitations to each legislator but urged individual supervisors to contact them and invite them personally as a way to gather all six in Green County to discuss the matter further.
Pinnacle Dairy is considered a CAFO by state designation because it will have more than 1,000 cows in its operation. County Conservationist Todd Jenson explained to county board members that state legislation "stripped" county ordinances outlining livestock siting and left some guidelines for local officials.
In a $1,000 permit, any CAFO applying within Green County must submit a plan for run-off, odor, nutrient and manure storage management. There must also be a public meeting before the Land and Water Conservation Committee grants a permit.
"We cannot put any emotions into our reviews," Jenson said. "It either meets our specs or it doesn't."
Plans for Pinnacle Dairy were originally put forward more than a year ago, but county officials only more recently received the application in full. Generally, 90 days are given for the review process. Although not officially referencing the large-scale farm because Pinnacle was not named on the agenda, County Corporation Counsel Brian Bucholtz indicated the permit decision for the CAFO will most likely be made on April 6.
A major criticism of the planned large-scale dairy facility along County FF and Decatur-Sylvester Road in Sylvester Township is the lack of oversight by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Spanning 127 acres of land, the dairy farm will not only host four football field-sized manure lagoons and an all-concrete enclosed barn, but will also have contracts with more than 30 local landowners to spread manure. Though the DNR approved the state permit application, reports on daily operations and therefore adherence to the rules, are submitted by CAFOs.
Jenson said he is confident the outlined regulations are sufficient to protect Green County groundwater. Despite this, other residents have expressed fears of groundwater contamination, caused by excessive manure being spread along fields within the county.
When Pinnacle Dairy was proposed, potential neighbor Jen Riemer of Riemer Family Farms petitioned Sylvester Township for a temporary stay of any CAFO construction. The moratorium was passed by Sylvester board members after Riemer served on a science committee which found evidence that Green County groundwater has a high susceptibility for contamination.
Green County Supervisor Betty Grotophorst has been a critic of the large dairy farm in the past. During the board meeting Tuesday, she asked whether county officials have any "recourse for citizens" when contamination occurs.
"It's not a matter of if," Grotophorst said. "It's a matter of when."
Supervisor Erica Roth questioned whether the county could ask for some power back in order to regulate any large-scale dairy operations in place of an understaffed DNR. Supervisors agreed to contact the six state legislators who represent Green County and invite them to a meeting in hopes of convincing them to advocate at the state level to allow county officials to have more direct oversight of CAFOs.
Supervisor Paul Beach wondered whether higher regulation could be done on a county level through new law, a measure he said other localized government entities were initiating.
"Some where they have great concerns ... are taking it upon themselves," Beach said.
County Clerk Mike Doyle agreed to send out invitations to each legislator but urged individual supervisors to contact them and invite them personally as a way to gather all six in Green County to discuss the matter further.