Larson Acres

Background: Lisa Wachtel, a  landowner near Larson Acres livestock factory, had been adversely affected by the ongoing expansion of this facility and the multiple environmental impacts that it posed from odors to water pollution.  Larson Acres is located in Rock County and has the potential to discharge into Allen Creek, an "exceptional resource water" listed in Wis. Adm. Code, NR 102.11(2).  The Wisconsin DNR's proposed Wisconsin Pollutant Elimination System (WPDES) permit to this facility failed to ensure that the facility had enough land to safely spread its animal waste, adequate runoff controls to protect Allen Creek, and monitoring to ensure compliance with the permit terms.

Status:  In May of 2000, Midwest Environmental Advocates submitted comments on behalf of Lisa Wachtel and testified at the DNR's hearing on the proposed permit.  As a result of our advocacy, the final permit required runoff controls and monitoring.