Group sues DNR over dairy farm expansion

The Associated Press

MADISON — An environmental group sued the state Department of Natural Resources Wednesday, seeking a more detailed environmental study of a planned expansion of a Manitowoc County dairy herd to 4,000 cattle.

Midwest Environmental Advocates filed the lawsuit on behalf of a coalition of citizens who live near Maple Leaf Dairy in the town of Centerville. The group is challenging the DNR’s ruling that the expanded dairy won’t cause significant air and water pollution.

The permit reauthorizes Maple Leaf’s main facility and allows it to consolidate three satellite farms at a new location and build a new manure handling facility, feed storage and barn. Maple Leaf is allowed to operate under the permit until 2009 and expand its herd to 4,000 animals.

The dairy currently has 3,798 animals, according to the DNR.

Some residents living near the farm contend it emits unacceptable levels of ammonia from manure in the barns and storage pits. They fear the ammonia is threatening their health and causing excess algae growth in nearby water.

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