Crawford Stewardship Project

Mark Cain
DNR Animal Waste Engineer
3011 Fish Hatchery Rd
Fitchburg, WI 53711

Feb 2, 2011

Dear Mr. Cain,

On behalf of the supporters of Crawford Stewardship Project, I am writing to request a complete Environmental Impact Statement for the Rock Prairie Dairy CAFO application. There are numerous environmental concerns with this application at this site. The Environmental Assessment has not adequately addressed these issues.

Given that according to the Rock County Health Department, over 30% of the Rock County wells already are high in nitrates, the vulnerability of the ground water is evident. There are 70 private wells within one-half mile of this proposed facility. Even the DNR’s EA admits that there is ”significant probability that nitrogen not taken up by crops will reach surface water and groundwater”. By any common sense standard, this means that there is a “health and safety” risk to this proposed operation, and as such deserves far more environmental scrutiny.

High capacity wells are also an issue. Concerns about ground water and surface water levels are well within the purview of the DNR mission to protect the environment of the state’s resources. This is not just about private wells. This concern is about the state’s water resources that belong to all of us, not to private corporations.

The proximity to Spring Brook and Turtle Creek, which are designated as exceptional resource waters, is also a concern. These resources should receive special consideration, especially since the soils in the area already carry phosphorus.

Given that his proposal would have one of the largest manure storage systems in Wisconsin, on this already challenged site with vulnerable resources, an EIS is appropriate for this application.

The EA erroneously concludes that this operation will improve the economy of the local area. This is wishful thinking. Across the country this has been shown to be a myth. These types of jobs are usually low paying and without benefits, and are often given to immigrant labor. And the community has to deal with the potential of reduced quality of life, intense odors, water pollution, reduced property values, and increased road repairs. This profits only the CAFO owners from outside the area at the community’s expense. In addition, CAFOs are not compatible with other economic ventures as they reduce quality of life and environment around the operations.

According to the DNR website,” the Department of Natural Resources is dedicated to the preservation, protection, effective management and maintenance of Wisconsin’s natural resources.” We as citizens expect the DNR to do exactly that.

Thank you for considering our comments.

Respectfully,

Edie Ehlert
Crawford Stewardship Project Coordinator
15981 Moldrem Rd
Ferryville, WI 54628
608-734-3223
edieehlert@centurytel.net

cc. Representative Lee Nerison
Senator Dan Kapanke
Miriam Ostrom, Midwest Environmental Advocates
Tom Boswell, area citizen organizer
Ron Seely, Wisconsin State Journal

			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
Home News About Us Events Research and Articles Photo Gallery Links
	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.	Mark Cain DNR Animal Waste Engineer 3011 Fish Hatchery Rd Fitchburg, WI 53711 Feb 2, 2011 Dear Mr. Cain, On behalf of the supporters of Crawford Stewardship Project, I am writing to request a complete Environmental Impact Statement for the Rock Prairie Dairy CAFO application. There are numerous environmental concerns with this application at this site. The Environmental Assessment has not adequately addressed these issues. Given that according to the Rock County Health Department, over 30% of the Rock County wells already are high in nitrates, the vulnerability of the ground water is evident. There are 70 private wells within one-half mile of this proposed facility. Even the DNR’s EA admits that there is ”significant probability that nitrogen not taken up by crops will reach surface water and groundwater”. By any common sense standard, this means that there is a “health and safety” risk to this proposed operation, and as such deserves far more environmental scrutiny. High capacity wells are also an issue. Concerns about ground water and surface water levels are well within the purview of the DNR mission to protect the environment of the state’s resources. This is not just about private wells. This concern is about the state’s water resources that belong to all of us, not to private corporations. The proximity to Spring Brook and Turtle Creek, which are designated as exceptional resource waters, is also a concern. These resources should receive special consideration, especially since the soils in the area already carry phosphorus. Given that his proposal would have one of the largest manure storage systems in Wisconsin, on this already challenged site with vulnerable resources, an EIS is appropriate for this application. The EA erroneously concludes that this operation will improve the economy of the local area. This is wishful thinking. Across the country this has been shown to be a myth. These types of jobs are usually low paying and without benefits, and are often given to immigrant labor. And the community has to deal with the potential of reduced quality of life, intense odors, water pollution, reduced property values, and increased road repairs. This profits only the CAFO owners from outside the area at the community’s expense. In addition, CAFOs are not compatible with other economic ventures as they reduce quality of life and environment around the operations. According to the DNR website,” the Department of Natural Resources is dedicated to the preservation, protection, effective management and maintenance of Wisconsin’s natural resources.” We as citizens expect the DNR to do exactly that. Thank you for considering our comments. Respectfully, Edie Ehlert Crawford Stewardship Project Coordinator 15981 Moldrem Rd Ferryville, WI 54628 608-734-3223 edieehlert@centurytel.net cc. Representative Lee Nerison Senator Dan Kapanke Miriam Ostrom, Midwest Environmental Advocates Tom Boswell, area citizen organizer Ron Seely, Wisconsin State Journal