Crawford Stewardship Project

State Representatives Address Water Quality and CAFO Issues

Senator Dan Kapanke and Representative Lee Nerison met with citizens from Crawford Stewardship Project (CSP), Valley Stewardship Network (VSN), and Alliance Concerned for Environmental Safety (ACES) to discuss the Livestock Siting Law as well as environmental issues raised at the Conservation Lobby Days www.conservation voters.org in February. The meeting, held on March 23 at the Driftless Café in Viroqua, drew about 100 concerned citizens, including a group listening outside the Café.

Meeting facilitator Kathy Fairchild of ACES commented, "The Livestock Siting Law needs to be seriously changed." Both Sen. Kapanke and Rep. Nerison said they would need to review any changes that people bring forward in the Law. They encouraged citizens to attend the annual review on May 13 in Madison. Both legislators spoke in favor of requiring facilities to have all of their permits and licenses in place before building. Presently, facilities build their operations prior, knowing that they will receive their permits as none have ever been refused. Further, Sen. Kapanke said, "I think they (CAFOS) have a place but it has to be done right, they can't take away from our quality of life." He added, "This area is conducive to small acreage farms."

On the issue of our karst geology and vulnerability and the need for ground water protection to include a Driftless Area Karst Study, Rep. Nerison said, "We have to take each (CAFO) application separately by itself." Sen. Kapanke replied, "Western Wisconsin is ripe for growing our rural economy and should get dollars to do so." Further, "We can ask for that (karst study). I think it should be done. This is special here-different rules should apply for areas that are vulnerable."

Concerns on the lack of enforcement of already existing rules and laws were brought up. Rep. Nerison suggested that we make sure that the DNR uses their enforcement resources for that purpose. If more resources are needed for enforcement that should be considered.

Presently rural communities bear the true costs burden of CAFOs, from road repairs to health issues and property value reductions for neighbors. Rep. Nerison believes that state and federal aid should be taken away from repeat offenders for violating DNR rules, and Sen. Kapanke agreed.

"We were pleased to get to meet with our legislators on these issues and look forward to further discussion with them," commented Leah Call of ACES.

Edie Ehlert, Crawford Stewardship Project Coordinator
PO Box 284, Gays Mills, WI, 608-735-4277
www.crawfordstewardshipproject.org

			Crawford Stewardship Project works to protect the environment of Crawford County from threats such as those posed by concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and to promote sustainable land use, local control of natural resources, and environmental justice. Crawford Stewardship Project is a nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible. Support CSP Send a check to: Crawford Stewardship Project P.O. Box 284 Gays Mills, WI 54631 csp.county@gmail.com
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	Ongoing Projects Sand Mining Crawford County CAFOs Water Quality and CAFO Monitoring Karst Geology Sustain Rural Wisconsin Network-SRWN Livestock Siting Law & State CAFO Permitting Crawford Stewardship Project is grateful for the generous support of the Wisconsin Community Fund. Order your Driftless Wisconsin poster today! "CAFOs 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.	State Representatives Address Water Quality and CAFO Issues Senator Dan Kapanke and Representative Lee Nerison met with citizens from Crawford Stewardship Project (CSP), Valley Stewardship Network (VSN), and Alliance Concerned for Environmental Safety (ACES) to discuss the Livestock Siting Law as well as environmental issues raised at the Conservation Lobby Days www.conservation voters.org in February. The meeting, held on March 23 at the Driftless Café in Viroqua, drew about 100 concerned citizens, including a group listening outside the Café. Meeting facilitator Kathy Fairchild of ACES commented, "The Livestock Siting Law needs to be seriously changed." Both Sen. Kapanke and Rep. Nerison said they would need to review any changes that people bring forward in the Law. They encouraged citizens to attend the annual review on May 13 in Madison. Both legislators spoke in favor of requiring facilities to have all of their permits and licenses in place before building. Presently, facilities build their operations prior, knowing that they will receive their permits as none have ever been refused. Further, Sen. Kapanke said, "I think they (CAFOS) have a place but it has to be done right, they can't take away from our quality of life." He added, "This area is conducive to small acreage farms." On the issue of our karst geology and vulnerability and the need for ground water protection to include a Driftless Area Karst Study, Rep. Nerison said, "We have to take each (CAFO) application separately by itself." Sen. Kapanke replied, "Western Wisconsin is ripe for growing our rural economy and should get dollars to do so." Further, "We can ask for that (karst study). I think it should be done. This is special here-different rules should apply for areas that are vulnerable." Concerns on the lack of enforcement of already existing rules and laws were brought up. Rep. Nerison suggested that we make sure that the DNR uses their enforcement resources for that purpose. If more resources are needed for enforcement that should be considered. Presently rural communities bear the true costs burden of CAFOs, from road repairs to health issues and property value reductions for neighbors. Rep. Nerison believes that state and federal aid should be taken away from repeat offenders for violating DNR rules, and Sen. Kapanke agreed. "We were pleased to get to meet with our legislators on these issues and look forward to further discussion with them," commented Leah Call of ACES. Edie Ehlert, Crawford Stewardship Project Coordinator PO Box 284, Gays Mills, WI, 608-735-4277 www.crawfordstewardshipproject.org