An Interesting Take On DNR Wrist-Slap To Massive Polluter
I'd noted the other day that the Wisconsin DNR fined an independent, small-operator farmer only $464 for a million-gallon manure spill into Wisconsin waterways.
A thoughtful reader who knows a lot about farming and the environment sent me an observation during an email back-and-forth about some enforcement and deterrence and some options that I am pleased to pass on, with permission:
A thoughtful reader who knows a lot about farming and the environment sent me an observation during an email back-and-forth about some enforcement and deterrence and some options that I am pleased to pass on, with permission:
I suggest that instead of tax breaks and subsidies for CAFOs and other large farming operations we provide healthcare and a guaranteed minimum income for the little farmers. They create jobs and wealth as small businesses. That might give them some help anyway. Everyone seems to want small farmers instead of CAFOs but we don't provide them with real support.
The deterrent in this case will be that the farmer has to pay for the clean up which will most likely put him out of business.
4 comments:
If the truth were known we would find that these state agency decisions come from Walker's office and are passed on to the agency heads and agency spokesman in written form and are then put forth under the agency banner and the signatures of those in charge. No contrary opinions are allowed nor are any points of view sought. Walker's fingerprint is all over everything that occurs in this state. If an error is made someone falls on the sword or is thrown under the bus. That's why it is so very important that John Doe be allowed to go forth to completion.
If the DNR were going to slap the farmer on the wrist, I'd make sure he washed his hand first.
If the DNR were going to slap the farmer on the wrist, I'd make sure he washed his hand first.
The point of the comment was that while no one seems to like CAFOs and the huge quantities of manure they generate, we don't financially support the small farmers like this guy, so they can keep their farms running in a way that promotes environmental protection. Everyone is coming down hard on this guy with 112 cows because he may have dumped a million gallons over a year. Most CAFOs generate 50-60 million gallons every 6 months. And that manure is spread on fields according a regulations that don't protect waters of the state. You folks can blame anyone you want but we should blame ourselves too for not demanding that small farmers like this guy get the help they need to stay in business while our taxes support CAFOs.
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