Posted: 04.14.2010

Its a request from the WI Department of Natural Resources - help us streamline the large-scale livestock permit process.

Wednesday in Fitchburg, the DNR will wrap up public hearings on the issue.

According to the DNR, switching to the general permits would allow Department of Natural Resources staff to spend more time in the field inspecting those livestock operations to make sure they are following requirements for manure storage, handling, spreading, and other activities, according to Gordon Stevenson, who leads the DNR runoff management section.
 
It would also allow DNR staff to issue the permits on a more timely basis. Stevenson says that the general permits will require the same amount of information to be submitted and the DNR will give the application documents the same level of scrutiny to ensure compliance with permit requirements.

The general permit would allow up to 4,000 at site with no individual Environmental Assessments to be required.

Under state and federal law, large farms must get water protection permits when they reach 1,000 animal units (roughly 700 milking cows) because of the volume of their manure and the increased potential risk it poses to Wisconsin waters if a spill or runoff occurs. Currently each operation must undergo an individual review process for a permit. Under the proposed revisions, the state would create two classes of general permits covering operations of different sizes: one for dairy farms starting at 1,000 animal units, the same threshold now triggering farms to get a permit, and the equivalent of 700 milking cows; the second permit would only be used for those operations with fewer than 1,000 animal units that have not addressed livestock-related runoff issues that the DNR determines are best addressed by a permit.

The public hearing on Wednesday begins at 1 p.m. at the Fitchburg Community Center, Oak Hall, 5520 Lacy Road.

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