Advertisement

Runoff pollution isn't something most of us give much thought to. But if you live by a megafarm, it's a thought that weighs heavy on your mind.

That's because megafarms have a lot of manure to spread on their land. If it's not done properly, it creates runoff pollution, which can lead to contaminated groundwater nearby. It's the groundwater from which surrounding residents draw their drinking water.

So, yeah, it's a big deal to them.

Last week, the state's Natural Resources Board approved changes to the manure-spreading regulations for about 165 farms that are considered "concentrated animal feeding operations."

Among the changes are that these megafarms must have a six-month manure-storing capacity for winter months and are prohibited from spreading manure, under most conditions, in February and March, or other times when the ground is frozen. That's important because manure is more likely to run off frozen ground.

There's also a provision to distance manure applications from streams and another to prohibit manure spreading when there's a 70 percent chance of at least a half-inch of rain within 24 hours.

The last change could be problematic — as any Wisconsin weather forecast can be — but the other changes make sense as ways to balance the needs of agribusiness and those of its neighbors.

The new rules go to state lawmakers for approval. We urge them to resist the expected lobbying to weaken the protection that state residents — and state water — need.