Farm Groups Appealing Ruling Regarding CAFOs to Obtain Wastewater Discharge Permits

Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 -- 8:00 AM

(Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) Farm groups are appealing a ruling that found state environmental regulators can require large livestock farms to obtain wastewater discharge permits prior to any potential pollution of state waters.

According to Danielle Kaeding with Wisconsin Public Radio, in May last year, the WMC Litigation Center sued the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in Calumet County Circuit Court on behalf of the Wisconsin Dairy Alliance and Venture Dairy Cooperative.

In Wisconsin, large farms known as concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs, are required to apply for wastewater pollutant discharge elimination system permits. Those operations include 335 farms with 1,000 animal units or more, which is equal to 700 milking cows.

The wastewater discharge permits require CAFOs to take certain steps to prevent manure from polluting water. Those requirements include developing response plans for manure spills, restrictions on manure spreading and nutrient management plans.

Scott Rosenow, executive director of the WMC Litigation Center and an attorney for the farm groups, said farms could face liability if they fail to apply for a permit. He called it a “burdensome regulation” and said farms may end up spending more time and money on compliance.

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