Posted: 10.27.2011

When Wisconsin prohibited the use of atrazine in specific areas of the state because of groundwater contamination, the Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection created maps so farmers would know where those restricted areas were located. Over time, land features have changed in some areas and new mapping technology has become available, so the department will update all the prohibition area maps within the rule that outlines where the use of the corn herbicide is not allowed.

Although some of the information on the maps may change, the actual prohibition areas will not. There are no new or expanded prohibition areas included in the proposed changes.

“In the past 18 years, some road names have changed, while some new roads have been added. We even have a case where a road that defined the edge of a prohibition area was moved to accommodate the construction of an interchange,” explained Stan Senger, environmental quality section chief. “With changes to the mapping software, we decided to update all the maps. The software will ensure that future changes will be easier to make. We hope the improved accuracy of the prohibition area maps will help the corn growers as well,” Senger said.

Because the maps of the 101 atrazine prohibition areas are part of the department’s administrative rule, ATCP 30, a public hearing must be held and interested parties will have an opportunity to comment on the changes.

A public hearing is set for November 8, from 3-4 p.m. in Room 266, second floor, DATCP, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison. A brief presentation about the updates will take place at 3 p.m., followed by an opportunity for the public to give verbal testimony from 3:20 p.m. to 4 p.m. Written comments will also be accepted by postal mail, email or fax. Send comments to Rick Graham, DATCP, PO Box 8911, Madison WI 57708-8911 or email to rick.graham@wisconsin.gov or fax to 608-224-4656. All comments are due by November 15, 2011. 

To view the new format of the existing atrazine prohibition area maps, go to http://datcp.wi.gov/Environment/Water_Quality/Atrazine/Proposed_Atrazine_Prohibition_Area_Maps/index.aspx.

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