March 18 Public Hearing on Roth CAFO Permit.

This is our one chance to be heard individually and as a large group of concerned citizens in response to the DNR clean water permit proposal for the Roth Feeder Pig Operation in Crawford County. March 18, 1:00 in Wauzeka at the Wauzeka Town Hall

We can each make a huge difference. The larger the public outcry, the better we show the DNR, state and county that we are watching and monitoring. The industry will be there too, telling us that concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are well regulated and do not pollute. We need to show that we will not accept diminished quality of life in our rural homes. Any of our neighborhoods could be the next proposed CAFO location. Citizens of neighboring counties and out of county landowners and visitors are encouraged to participate as well.

Bring written comments and read those comments, or just come to join in support of the neighbors. If you can’t attend, send comments to:
Mr. Robert Rohland, DNR
Black River Service Center
910 Hwy 54 East
Black River Falls, WI 54615, Robert.rohland@wisconsin.gov

Copy to our state legislators:
Sen. Dan Kapanke
Room 3 South, P.O. Box 7882
Madison, WI 53707-7882
Sen.kapanke@legis.wisconsin.gov
Rep. Lee Nerison
Room 310 North, P.O. Box 8953
Madison, WI 53708
rep.nerison@legis.wisconsin.gov

And send a blind copy to:
Crawford Stewardship Project, PO Box 284, Gays Mills, WI 54631, csp.county@gmail.com

Threat to Drinking Water

  • Too little land for too much manure. 1.5 million gallons of liquid manure will be spread annually on less than 200 acres of land, about 1/10 of the land compared with other CAFOs. There is too much phosphorus already on some of the land to be used for spreading the manure.
  • Run-off potential exists into Boydtown Creek and the Wisconsin River. These are DNR designated exceptional and impaired waterways and by law cannot receive more pollution. The Lower Wisconsin Riverway runs adjacent to this operation, too close for air borne odor and emissions. Steep topography on some fields increases run-off potential.
  • Karst geology is widespread in the Driftless area. A Driftless Area Karst study is needed to identify vulnerability to groundwater pollution.
  • Request monitoring wells on site to be sure that groundwater is not polluted. Request DNR surface water monitoring on and next to the site.

Loss of Trust of State Agencies

  • The facility was built without their engineering approval which is required by law with the DNR.
  • This facility was operating over the 1000 animal units limit without their water discharge permit during the past 2 years, from statements made by Mr. Roth himself. The DNR issued letters of noncompliance, but took no further action. CAFO facilities are self-regulated. And even when infractions are made known, enforcement is not common.

Impacts on Rural Citizens

  • CAFOs pose risk to neighbor health and quality of life. Already neighbors express that they have respiratory distress from emissions from the facility and outdoor activities have been limited. Hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and other pathogens accompany CAFO facilities.
  • Local government has been restricted from regulating these operations. The industry-favored state laws override local environmental, health, and quality of life concerns.

Our large public outcry is our greatest asset.
Download the application on the DNR website at: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/ww/drafts/pubnot.htm

Edie Ehlert,
Crawford Stewardship Project Coordinator

"While CAFOs clearly are profitable, they are only profitable because so much of the cost and damage is externalized onto the environment, neighbors and wildlife. The monitoring, supervision, clean-up, restitution, fines are not happening, thus the true cost of CAFOs never find the way onto the balance books." Talking point from the CAFO Conference.