Task force recommendations Here are the major recommendations made by the Manure Management Task Force that will be submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection and the state Department of Natural Resources for review: Increase use of winter spreading plans, encourage safe manure hauling procedures and establish emergency response plans to contain and clean up manure spills and overflows Increase implementation of nutrient management plans through increasing funding by $7-$14 million annually Improve knowledge about manure runoff events and their prevention through data collection, tracking and reporting related to runoff events from state agencies to the public Revitalize information and education efforts by developing a statewide notification program to alert farmers on high risk spreading conditions such as melt periods and dry weather Encourage counties to develop emergency response systems and farmers to prepare individual emergency response plans to better deal with manure runoff events Follow current regulatory paths for non-permitted livestock operations on state and local levels to address manure runoff incidents, and evaluate new regulations Provide funds to compensate owners of wells contaminated by manure runoff events through revisions to the DNR's well compensation program Develop a regional pilot program to test the effectiveness of limited enforcement protection and other incentives for farmers that meet environmental standards To view the recommendations go to http://www.manuretaskforce.wi.gov/pdf/Executive_Summary_Findings_Recommendations_Dec1.pdf.

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MANITOWOC — A task force's recommendations for reducing manure runoff drew impassioned criticism on two fronts during a public hearing Thursday — from farmers who say the plan threatens small family operations, and from rural residents who say the recommendations are not strong enough.

About 50 people attended a forum at the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc to express their opinions on the state Manure Management Task Force's recommendations for methods to reduce the risks of acute manure runoff incidents.

In a report for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the task force recommends that farmers create nutrient management plans and winter manure spreading plans, and develop emergency response plans for manure spills to eliminate the likelihood of spills and reduce the level of damage if they occur.

The task force also recommends the creation of a statewide research database on manure incidents, certification requirements for manure haulers, improved education campaigns, and compensation for owners of wells contaminated by manure spills.

Some that testified at Thursday's hearing, including John Kappelman, who manages the Meadow Brook Dairy farm with his brother Peter, said the recommendations were common sense and he had no qualms.

However, the majority of those who spoke either urged tougher requirements and stiffer penalties for offenders, or expressed concern about the recommendations' impact on family farms. Public testimony centered on whether farmers should be allowed to spread liquid manure in winter, when the ground is often frozen or layered with snow and is less able to absorb the manure.

Scott Treml of Luxemburg, in Kewaunee County, told the story of how his family became ill after their well allegedly was contaminated by winter liquid manure spreading on a field across the road from their house. The Tremls filed federal and state lawsuits against Stahl Farms in June 2004, and the family eventually reached a settlement worth $380,000.

"My family lived this nightmare," he said. "It took a court order and an settlement to stop the manure spreading."

David Pozorski, president of the Manitowoc County Lake Association, said allowing farmers to apply liquid manure is a bad idea because the results are fish kills, contaminated lakes and waterways. Pozorski said many of the recommendations such as nutrient management plans and emergency response plans should be required.

Greg Coulthurst, who is employed at the Door County Soil and Water Conservation Department, said the task force has fallen short in its recommendations because they do not require penalties for spreading manure in winter. He said Door County has dealt with manure spills for decades, and the only viable solution in avoiding water contamination is to prohibit winter manure spreading.

"Developing winter spreading plans will be extremely costly, when you could just prohibit it," he said. "Recommending winter spreading plans is going to give people false hope."

The cost of implementing the recommendations drew criticism from Kevin Nysse, a director on the board of the Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association. He said the biggest concern is that small farms can't afford to foot the bill for the recommendations even if the state agrees to increase funding.

"We all love those small family farms, but they're going to be the first ones to go because we can't afford these recommendations," he said.

The panel heard supportive comments on some recommendations. The items that received positive comments were a statewide certification for manure haulers, and compensation for residents with contaminated wells.

Dale Avery, a resident of Whitelaw, said he was glad to see the well compensation since no program currently exists.

"Farmers say they can't afford the manure shortage facilities despite cost sharing, but how can families afford to install new wells on their own?" he asked.

Russ Tooley, a member of the local environmental group Centerville Cares said the recommendations — without attached penalties — are a bunch of "feel good" suggestions that will sit on the shelf, and the DNR should enforce the laws already on the books.

"Can the task force tell us the percentage of incidents that are unreported? Can they give us a clue on the chances of a farmer being caught? And if caught the chance he will be penalized?" he asked.

Thursday's panel included Manitowoc County Executive Dan Fischer; Andrew Hanson, attorney for Midwest Environmental Advocates; Kevin Erb, of the UW-Extension; Dan Brick, Brown County farmer and member of the Dairy Business Association; Ken Blomberg of the Rural Water Association; and Richard Castelnuovo of DATCP.

The hearing in Manitowoc was one of three meetings held throughout the state.

The public comment period on the recommendations has been extended until Dec. 21. The task force will review public comments at its final meeting Jan. 19, and finalize its recommendations based on the comments received. The final recommendations then will be given to DATCP Secretary Rod Nilsestuen and DNR Secretary Scott Hassett, and the two agencies will determine how to implement the recommendations.

Kristopher Wenn: 920-686-2132 or kwenn@htrnews.com