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NR 243 Talking
Points
Despite the broad public support for the DNR's manure
management rules for Concentrated Animal
Feeding Operations (“CAFOs”), agribusiness lobby groups
are pressuring elected officials to undo a unanimous vote by the Natural
Resources Board. The legislature needs to approve these rules before they
can go into effect.
Talking Points
- We have waited long enough.
The DNR's rulemaking process has lasted almost four years - it is time
to stop delaying, finalize these rules, and implement them as soon as
possible so that Wisconsin can begin to effectively prevent contaminated
drinking water and fishkills.
- Wisconsin’s proposed rules are
not more stringent than those of other states.
Wisconsin does not regulate CAFOs more stringently than other states.
Like Wisconsin’s proposal, many states have restrictions on manure
spreading on frozen and snow-covered ground; several states require
6 months of manure storage; and several states have retained the mixed
animal unit calculation method.
- Permits prevent pollution.
All Large CAFOs currently must apply for Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System permit because of actual groundwater contamination,
and the risk of surface water contamination. This is a long standing
practice – since 1984 – that works, is used by other states,
and needs to be continued. If permits are no longer required, the legislature
will be threatening Wisconsin’s rural families with the increased
risk of manure-laden tapwater and destroyed fisheries.
- Don’t weaken the ban.
Agribusiness concerns and interests were taken into account and are
reflected in the proposed rule. The DNR's winter manure spreading restrictions
are reasonable and should not be modified or weakened any further.
- Make every cow count.
The DNR's proposal to retain the mixed animal unit calculation –
that counts all animals at the CAFOs - should not be watered-down. Refusing
to count some cows and not others makes no sense, disregards almost
25 years of experience by the state, and ignores Wisconsin’s uniquely
diverse farms and water resources.
- Don’t bet on the weather.
The DNR should remove the agricultural stormwater exemption, a confusing
provision that exempts manure spills from enforcement when those spills
were caused by rain - and the CAFO complied with its manure management
plan and DNR rules. That means a CAFO’s compliance with the law
will depend, in part, on the weather. Anyone who knows Wisconsin weather
also knows that this could make compliance and enforcement a confusing
and uncertain process for the public, the DNR, and CAFOs.
Legislative Contacts
Please, contact the following chairs of the Senate and
Assembly Agriculture Committees:
Rep.
Al Ott,
Chair, Assembly Agriculture Committee |
Room 323 North
State Capitol
P.O. Box 8953
Madison 53708 |
| rep.ott@legis.state.wi.us
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| (608) 266-5831 |
| (888) 534-0003 |
Sen. Dan
Kapanke,
Chair, Senate Agriculture Committee |
Room 104 South
State Capitol
P.O. Box 7882
Madison 53707-7882 |
| sen.kapanke@legis.state.wi.us |
| (608) 266-5490 |
| (800) 385-3385 |
| your
legislator to let them know this is important to you in your
district. |
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