Crawford Stewardship Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 2, 2009
Contact:
Jennifer Nelson, Crawford Stewardship Project
608-476-2301
jenelson7@centurytel.net
Wauzeka, WI -- The neighbors of the Roth Feeder Pig operation near Wauzeka and concerned citizens of Crawford Stewardship Project (CSP) have called upon the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to take immediate investigation and enforcement action to bring Roth into compliance with state clean water requirements.
Roth Feeder Pigs is believed to have recently expanded its operation to become a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) without the necessary DNR permit to protect water quality from harmful manure runoff. State law requires that all CAFOs with 1000 animal units or greater have a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit that includes a nutrient management plan and other restrictions needed to protect surface and groundwater quality. According to a recent inspection report prepared by the Crawford County Land Conservationist and Ag Extension Agent, the Roth facility was over the CAFO limit last November.
Any confined livestock facility that exceeds the 1000 AU level before a WPDES permit is issued is in violation of section NR 243, Wisconsin Administrative Code, and associated Wisconsin statutes. The DNR has the authority to refer the facility to the Department of Justice for civil prosecution, which could include a temporary or permanent injunction and forfeitures up to $10,000 per violation. Anyone who willfully or negligently violates these or other clean water laws may be fined $25,000 per violation, imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both.
State law also requires submittal of engineering plans and specifications for construction of various CAFO facilities. Based on DNR records, it appears that Roth Feeder Pigs did not seek pre-construction engineering plan approval from the agency.
Roth Feeder Pigs has applied for a WPDES permit, but has yet to be approved by DNR. The DNR has stated publicly that it shares CSP’s concerns that Roth has not yet submitted adequate documentation showing it can safely dispose of animal waste in compliance with state standards. The DNR states that there have been delays due to incomplete submittals by Roth and their consultants, but DNR is working with them to resolve these issues.
Once the application is ruled complete, the DNR will prepare a Draft WPDES Permit for public review and schedule a public hearing. Although the DNR has never denied a CAFO permit, CSP is planning a thorough review of the application by experts in the engineering and nutrient management field as soon as all of the required documents are received by the DNR.