Wisconsin Ag Connection - DNR Implements Tougher New Rules for Large Dairy Operations

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

DNR Implements Tougher New Rules for Large Dairy Operations
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 11/18/2008

After being pressured by an environmental group hoping to stop a proposed 8,000-cow dairy operation in Fond du Lac County, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has changed its policy regarding the approval process for new farm construction projects. On Friday, the agency decided to begin requiring environmental impact statements for commercial dairy and livestock operations that exceed a certain size.

The move was in response to the Midwest Environmental Advocates and a local group of citizens, which petitioned the DNR to look at the impact that the Rosendale Dairy will have on the environment. The farm is in the process of expanding its facilities to hold 4,000 dairy cows and 150 beef steers for a total of 5,750 animal units. They would then begin a second phase that will ultimately call for 11,500 animal units by the fall of 2010.

The DNR says they have completed an Environmental Assessment on September 16, and received public comments through October 14 and determined that the farm will complete an environmental impact statement process on the proposal. The agency also noted that in order to determine the scope and the significant issues to be analyzed in depth in their analysis, the department 'will rely on input already gathered through public comments on the EA and on additional public scoping comments for the EIS.' Additional comments from the public and government officials will also be accepted by the DNR until December 5.

Meanwhile, the farm released it's own public statement on Monday, which called the DNR's action an 'unnecessary burden,' but agreed to cooperate with the new rules.

"At a time when the state of Wisconsin desperately needs new jobs, and our communities are in dire need of reinvestment, it is true that we also must remain vigilant about our environment," said Jim Ostrom, a partner in Rosendale Dairy. "That is why we have spent the past two years conducting extensive environmental research and engineering analysis of our plans."

Ostrom said the policy change will only add cost to the project as a result of additional document preparation fees and other expenses. Nonetheless, he promised that the project was being developed as one of Wisconsin's 'most environmentally sound, modern and efficient farms' to date.

An attorney for the environmental group praised Friday's decision, saying it will give the state more time to study the full impact the farm will have on the local environment. But one of Wisconsin's farm organizations says the policy change should be looked at more closely because it could affect future projects down the road.

"This sets a precedent to require environmental impact statements for farms with 4,000 or more head of cattle," said Laurie Fischer, director of the Dairy Business Association of Wisconsin. "It marks a significant policy shift given that Wisconsin already is home to 12 such farms."

As a result, the DBA is calling on the Doyle Administration to review the agency's actions.

"Under previous rules, farms seeking Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits already were required to submit professionally prepared environmental and engineering research as well as documentation for the operating plans," Fischer said. "The policy change adds additional mandates, timelines and cost."

Ostrom already owns the 6,500-cow Tidy View Dairy near Kaukauna and 2,500-cow Omro Dairy near Omro. The Rosendale project--which will include freestall barns, milking parlors, manure handling, storage equipment, feed storage, leachate collection and stormwater basins--is a $70 million investment by Ostrom and partners John Vosters and Todd Willer. An anaerobic digester may also be part of the project design.

The investors say their farm will create 70 permanent local jobs, support hundreds of construction jobs and purchase $40 million per year from local contractors and vendors.