Since the DNR let human waste spreading violations go with simple slaps on the wrist, is there any real surprise that the agency tolerates widespread - - no pun intended - - aerial manure spreading at big farming operations.
Bigger and bigger dairy operations mean a lot more of that unhealthy stuff is in the air, downwind, in your lungs, and working its way into the ground and surface waters which you drink, cook with, swim in and fish.
And basically, the DNR tells neighbors who complain, 'go ahead and sue us,' as if everyone had deep pockets with which to do the agency's work.
Where is the agency's concern as the state's natural resources regulator for the public interest, health and safety?
I don't mean to put in a political plug for a candidate but Jon Richards who is running for Attorney General has said he would like to bring back the Public Intervenor's Office. For those of you not familiar with this, it was a separate agency that used to challenge state agencies on laws on behalf of the citizens. Midwest Environmental Advocates has taken that on now but is less effective because they also need to raise money and to do that they need to get donors interested in issues.
ReplyDeleteKathleen Falk got her start in the Public Intervenor's office as did Tom Dawson. Bringing it back would much improve Wisconsin's environmental protection laws.
http://www.wsn.org/publicintervenor.html
http://www.wsn.org/issues/PIOhistory.html