Posted: 03.25.2010

A series of public hearings on new general
permits for giant farms begins this week.

The state Department of Natural Resources currently issues
permits on a case-by-case basis for farms with more than 1,000
so-called animal units, the equivalent of about 700 dairy cows.
DNR regulators want to move to a general permit system for farms
between 1,000 and 5,700 animal units. Farms with 300 to 999 animal
units could be subject to a general permit if they have uncorrected
pollution problems.

Agency officials say the change will speed up the paperwork and
enable inspectors to spend more time in the field.

The first hearing is set for Friday in Wausau. Additional
hearings are planned statewide over the first two weeks of April.
 

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