Wisconsin DNR Board Approves Agency to Draw Up Manure and Fertilizer Restrictions
Thursday, December 12th, 2019 -- 9:34 AM
(AP) -The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources board granted the agency permission Tuesday to start drawing up contentious manure and fertilizer restrictions for areas prone to groundwater pollution.The board gave the department the go-ahead on a 5-1 vote, despite concerns from the agricultural industry that the restrictions could cost farmers millions of dollars annually. It could be months before the department completes a draft. The final version of the regulations would be subject to legislative approval. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has said he wants to do more to address nitrates, which are found in fertilizer and manure.
About 10% of the state’s private wells have nitrate levels exceeding 10 milligrams per liter, according to the DNR. State health officials recommend that people avoid long-term consumption of water with nitrate levels over that mark. The governor directed the DNR to establish nitrate standards for soils susceptible to contamination.
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