DNR warns about dangers with spreading manure on frozen ground By Kevin Boneske News-Chronicle With spring and its associated thawing approaching, the state Department of Natural Resources is spreading the word about potential problems with spreading manure on frozen ground. While the DNR notes most farmers "are good stewards of the land," the state agency pointed out last week that, already this year, winter-spreading of manure is suspected to be the cause of five manure-related incidents, including two that resulted in fish kills in southern Wisconsin streams, the contamination of private drinking water wells in Dodge County, and 480,000 gallons of manure entering a tributary to Lake Mendota in Dane County. The DNR is urging all livestock operators to avoid spreading manure until the snow has melted and the ground has thawed and manure "can be incorporated into the soil." "We've had far too many instances in recent months of winter land spreading that has resulted in environmental damage and farmers facing enforcement action and restitution," said Gordon Stevenson, who leads the DNR's runoff management section. "Spreading liquid manure on land that is snow covered or frozen is a bad idea. "It may be technically legal, but that does not remove the risk a farmer might face if their activities cause environmental damages." Even if a manure runoff incident doesn't contaminate wells or kill fish, Stevenson said it is a major concern "due to a decrease in available oxygen or ammonia toxicity." During last spring's thaw in Kewaunee County, there were reports of wells being contaminated in the towns of Lincoln and Luxemburg from the suspected manure runoff of some farming operations. Alleged manure runoff last year, between late February and early March, in the town of Luxemburg resulted in at least two families reporting contamination to their well water. The large-scale Glen Stahl farm, which presently faces state and federal lawsuits, has been alleged as the source of the contamination. While the spring thaw has yet to occur this year in Kewaunee County, county land and water conservationist Andy Wallander said well contamination problems along the lines of last year have not been reported in the county. In an effort to prevent potential groundwater contamination problems in areas where the bedrock is close to the surface, Wallander asked farmers who have low-soil land not to spread manure in those areas this winter. He requested those farmers to voluntarily not apply manure from Dec. 15 to March 31 to any cropland areas they own or rent that are likely 36 inches or less in depth to bedrock. The DNR has indicated that efforts are underway to tighten how and when large-scale farming operations can spread manure during the winter. A technical advisory group, including representatives from agricultural and environmental organizations, is revising state rules for these large operations to be consistent with newly revised federal rules, with the proposed rules expected to go to a public hearing later this year.