Posted Aug. 26, 2005

Local residents debate revised DNR manure rules

Written comment

The state Department of Natural Resources is taking written comments on proposed changes affecting the way larger livestock operations handle manure in an attempt to reduce incidents where water polluted.

DNR staff will continue working on the proposed changes though the winter and hope to have them enacted as law in the spring of 2006.

To comment on the proposal, write to Tom Bauman, Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Watershed Management, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707, before Sept. 9.

They can also be submitted electronically at the following Web site: adminrules.Wisconsin.gov.

By Nathan Phelps
nphelps@greenbaypressgazette.com

A set of revised rules that would affect how large-scale farmers handle manure was at the center of public comment Thursday night in Green Bay.

About 40 people turned out for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources hearing at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, the final one on manure handling.

While most of the people who spoke said they agree with the rules, many of them said they wanted to see manure regulations implemented faster and with more monitoring of manure-spreading activities.

But some farmers contend these rules punish the whole industry for the misdeeds of a few.

Scott Treml of Luxemburg said it’s time for a change in the rules. He contends his family’s well was contaminated from manure runoff from a farm field, making members of his family ill.

“You have the opportunity to ban this practice of spreading liquid manure in the winter,” he said. “You guys got it wrong the first time and it’s time to get it right.”

Under the proposal, which revises state regulations, larger farms could not apply liquid manure to the surface of frozen or snow-covered fields. Large operations would also need manure-storage facilities to store up to six months of liquid manure and for some operations at least two months of storage for solid manure.

Farms would also be required to formulate emergency-response plans.

The measure is aimed at bolstering runoff rules and improving water quality.

“The masses are being accused for the few’s problem,” said Gordon Speirs, a Brillion dairy farmer who milks 1,000 cows.

Does he think the revised rules are needed?

“If we go back to the rules that are there now, enforce and follow them, we’re not far off the mark,” Speirs said.

Gordon Stevenson of the DNR said that in the last 12 months there have been 52 manure runoff events in the state, and half of those were in February and March. Of those 52 events, nine involved operations that had been permitted by the state.

Jennifer Keuning, ag agent with University of Wisconsin Extension-Kewaunee County, said the regulation change could have a signification financial economic impact on farmers.

“I’m obviously interested in protecting water quality, the environment and making sure our farmers are being good stewards of the land,” Keuning said. “Obviously we need regulations, but we make regulations for the people that don’t follow the rules and everyone is impacted.”