Midwest Environmental Advocates is a nonprofit law center that combines the power of law with the resolve of communities facing environmental injustice to secure and protect the rights of all people to healthy water, land, and air.

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Our Work : tagged as "rural"

Kinnard Farms Water Pollution Discharge Permit

In 2021, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled in favor of our clients and affirmed the authority of the DNR to protect rural drinking water by setting limits on herd size and requiring CAFOs to monitor groundwater where manure is spread. Following the ruling, the DNR issued a modified wastewater permit for Kinnard Farms. Kinnard responded by filing a legal challenge in April 2022. A group of neighbors represented by MEA intervened in the case and successfully negotiated a settlement in May 2023 requiring Kinnard Farms to stop spreading liquid manure.

Meteor Timber wetlands fill and frac sand facility

Meteor Timber, LLC sought approval to destroy an unprecedented amount—16.25 acres—of pristine forested wetlands for a proposed industrial sand facility.

Fairmount Minerals frac sand mining air pollution permit challenge

Residents of Arcadia, WI are challenging FML Sand, LLC's frac sand company’s air pollution permit in order to protect air quality and their community’s health from silica dust.

Citizens challenge DNR’s air permit for Preferred Sands, LLC

Trempealeau County, WI is ground zero for frac sand mining in the state. Citizens who are impacted by blowing silica dust are challenging the air pollution control permit issued to Preferred Sands.

/ tagged: air, rural, mining / Read more

Larson Acres “Friend of the Court” Brief

Midwest Environmental Advocates supports an interpretation of the Livestock Facility Siting Law that upholds local control and sufficiently regulates large livestock facilities in Wisconsin.

/ tagged: rural, government / Read more

Rosendale Dairy

Midwest Environmental Advocates worked with a Rosendale, WI, citizens group to protect their water, air and land from the impacts of the largest confined dairy operation in the state.

Manure Spreading on Frozen Ground Banned

After years of using legal strategies to limit the practice of spreading manure on frozen ground, a campaign to change the law resulted in a ban that protects surface and groundwater.

The Treml Family v. Stahl Farms

The Treml family of Kewaunee County was an ordinary Wisconsin family with three healthy, happy daughters. In 2004, they faced a nightmare that no family should ever face - a life threatenting illness bourne in through their water.