MONROE - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has rejected plans for a large-scale dairy in Green County.
Todd Tuls wanted to build the concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) in Sylvester Township. His son T.J. operates Rock Prairie Farm east of Janesville, and Tuls said the Green County operation would be a "mirror image" of that facility. Tuls himself owns two similar dairy facilities in Nebraska. Pinnacle Dairy applied to have more than 5,100 cows spread out over 127 acres along County FF and Decatur-Sylvester Road. Construction was due to begin this year.
The DNR on Friday rejected Tuls' plan that specified the location of four waste storage facilities. Because of the lack of proof that the structures would not leach into the groundwater below, the DNR rejected the entire plan. Without the waste storage facilities, the dairy would not have sufficient storage, the DNR said in its report.
Instead, the DNR approved a request from Pinnacle representatives to put ground monitoring wells in place to demonstrate a sufficient separation between the holding tanks and the lower level groundwater.
Tuls and his son T.J. did not return calls Tuesday seeking comment on the decision.
Green County conservationist Todd Jenson has been involved in the Pinnacle application process and has seen the progress Tuls' legal representatives have made in their efforts to build Pinnacle Dairy in Sylvester.
"They basically have two options now," Jenson said. "To put in additional soil pits and monitoring wells or look for other areas."
Jenson recently reviewed reports from Pinnacle representatives during a Green County Land and Water Conservation Board meeting. Jenson said he requested Pinnacle engineers perform more tests for possible impact on groundwater in the area, including soil test holes. In initial tests, sites ranged from 17 to 45 feet. This time, test holes could be 25 feet deeper.
Some township residents and others have been vocal in their opposition to a CAFO such as Pinnacle, citing concerns about the environment and land values.
Jen Riemer of Riemer Family Farms said she and others are glad to see regulation on the large-scale dairy, which would be built across the road from her home. Riemer is a founder of Green County Defending our Farmland and served on the Large-Scale Livestock Siting Committee formed by the Town of Sylvester to evaluate what impact the new facility could have on the area. The township passed a moratorium on building a CAFO there;
that moratorium expires in March.
"We're happy the DNR has been working hard," Riemer said. "I really appreciate that they are doing a thorough job to investigate. It is a concern (Pinnacle) would pick a site that appears to be unsuitable to everyone else."
Riemer said Green County soil is more susceptible to contamination than in other parts of Wisconsin. And while she's glad to see regulation, Riemer added there still needs to be steps taken to improve policy at the county and local level.
Kriss Marion, president of the Wisconsin Farmers Union chapter which includes Green, Rock and Lafayette counties, said she was "delighted" with the ruling. To Marion, the decision represents progress in a system she said has largely favored accepting CAFOs rather than concern for their impact on local residents.
"There never was a new plan designed for the site," Marion said. "To local farmers in the area, that was essentially insulting. It might say something about the regulatory process throughout the state right now. There was nothing specific to the area."
Todd Tuls wanted to build the concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) in Sylvester Township. His son T.J. operates Rock Prairie Farm east of Janesville, and Tuls said the Green County operation would be a "mirror image" of that facility. Tuls himself owns two similar dairy facilities in Nebraska. Pinnacle Dairy applied to have more than 5,100 cows spread out over 127 acres along County FF and Decatur-Sylvester Road. Construction was due to begin this year.
The DNR on Friday rejected Tuls' plan that specified the location of four waste storage facilities. Because of the lack of proof that the structures would not leach into the groundwater below, the DNR rejected the entire plan. Without the waste storage facilities, the dairy would not have sufficient storage, the DNR said in its report.
Instead, the DNR approved a request from Pinnacle representatives to put ground monitoring wells in place to demonstrate a sufficient separation between the holding tanks and the lower level groundwater.
Tuls and his son T.J. did not return calls Tuesday seeking comment on the decision.
Green County conservationist Todd Jenson has been involved in the Pinnacle application process and has seen the progress Tuls' legal representatives have made in their efforts to build Pinnacle Dairy in Sylvester.
"They basically have two options now," Jenson said. "To put in additional soil pits and monitoring wells or look for other areas."
Jenson recently reviewed reports from Pinnacle representatives during a Green County Land and Water Conservation Board meeting. Jenson said he requested Pinnacle engineers perform more tests for possible impact on groundwater in the area, including soil test holes. In initial tests, sites ranged from 17 to 45 feet. This time, test holes could be 25 feet deeper.
Some township residents and others have been vocal in their opposition to a CAFO such as Pinnacle, citing concerns about the environment and land values.
Jen Riemer of Riemer Family Farms said she and others are glad to see regulation on the large-scale dairy, which would be built across the road from her home. Riemer is a founder of Green County Defending our Farmland and served on the Large-Scale Livestock Siting Committee formed by the Town of Sylvester to evaluate what impact the new facility could have on the area. The township passed a moratorium on building a CAFO there;
that moratorium expires in March.
"We're happy the DNR has been working hard," Riemer said. "I really appreciate that they are doing a thorough job to investigate. It is a concern (Pinnacle) would pick a site that appears to be unsuitable to everyone else."
Riemer said Green County soil is more susceptible to contamination than in other parts of Wisconsin. And while she's glad to see regulation, Riemer added there still needs to be steps taken to improve policy at the county and local level.
Kriss Marion, president of the Wisconsin Farmers Union chapter which includes Green, Rock and Lafayette counties, said she was "delighted" with the ruling. To Marion, the decision represents progress in a system she said has largely favored accepting CAFOs rather than concern for their impact on local residents.
"There never was a new plan designed for the site," Marion said. "To local farmers in the area, that was essentially insulting. It might say something about the regulatory process throughout the state right now. There was nothing specific to the area."