A report from the WI manure-toxified front - - Kewaunee County

You may remember that with the US EPA hot on his trail for contemptuously disregarding his obligation to enforce the US Clean Water Act in the State of Wisconsin - - and a legislative finding that the state wasn't even following its own water pollution rules - -  GOP Gov. and overall 'chamber of commerce mentality' Wisconsin DNR manager Scott Walker threw out a plan on paper to deal with massive manure pollution in Kewaunee County by installing some on-site manure 'digesters.

So, problem solved? 

Hardly.

Here's an update circulated by Kewaunee Cares activists and environmentally-sensitive farmers Lynn and Nancy Utesch:

-------------------------------------

Many believe that Kewaunee County's problems are rooted in "run-off" issues-- spreading that unfortunately ends up leaving its intended site, more often than not, meeting up with water, and causing pollution.  

What is occurring in Kewaunee County is criminal, willful negligence that harms the landscape, our water and air, and the people living here.  Please look at the attached photos, taken last week, of recent applications to spreading fields in Kewaunee that resulted in run-off reaching the Ahnapee River [on the EPA's impaired waters list], and ultimately Lake Michigan.  

Some would argue that this type of manure disposal is not defined as spreading, but rather, "dumping" which is punishable by law.  

Also attached, a separate incident causing egregious pollution-- the October 25th Da-Ran CAFO "event".  

DNR Recommendation for Da-Ran:  "Based on several observed NMP violations, enforcement action is recommended"….Recommended?  What deterrents have been placed before this polluting entity in attempts to "safeguard" our community?  Has this report been sent to the DOJ?  why or why not?

Several "Peninsula Pride" farms this summer experienced "manure spills", contrary to their vow to exceed "best management practices".  

The attached Culvert picture is from the Production area of the Peninsula Pride president's CAFO operation, Dairy Dreams, taken in September, 2016;   this same culvert area was investigated by the EPA and DNR in April of 2014. This culvert empties into nearby tributaries and ultimately, Lake Michigan.  Longstanding, ongoing pollution is unstemmed in Kewaunee County, with little to no response, repetitively exposing residents to BMP's [Bad management Practices] that harm human health and poison our drinking water and private wells.

Voluntary Compliance to Best Management Practices-- does not work.

We continue to request a warden for oversight/documentation purposes where we live, to no avail. [We have been without a warden for almost 4 years now]. This has become the citizens self-policing job where we live.

MASSIVE REGULATORY FAILURE CONTINUES IN KEWAUNEE COUNTY.  This conversation must turn away from this being viewed as accidental/or due to other factors, and must be recognized as negligent behaviors warranting immediate oversight, fines & enforcement to deter and stop the ongoing behaviors that harm both human health and the environment in northeast Wisconsin. We can no longer "wait" for operations to "come into compliance" while suffering the devastating effects of their pollution.

-------------------------------------

The October 25th event, referenced above:

DATE: TO:
FROM: SUBJECT:

November 22, 2016
Brad Holtz, Casey Jones – DNR Da-Ran Dairy File
Joe Baeten – DNR Nutrient Management Specialist
Summary of Manure Hauling Inspection on October 25, 2016

FILE REF: Da-Ran Dairy

On October 25, 2016, Joe Baeten conducted an announced audit of field 89 in Da-Ran Dairy’s nutrient management plan (NMP). Baeten obtained permission from Randy Stahl to inspect the field. Other DNR staff were also present during the inspection as part of manure hauling audit training. The Department documented the following issues during the audit:

1. Manure was applied with 25 feet of a wetland.
   
2. Manure ran off the application site into a wetland.
   
3. Manure ran off the application site into an intermittent stream.
   
4. Manure discharged from a tile outlet to surface water.
   
5. Manure was applied to saturated soils.
   
6. Manure ponded on the application site after application was complete.
   
7. A tile outlet identified during the inspection was not included on the farm’s restriction map.
   
8. The most current version of the nutrient management plan on hand showed the field as alfalfa
   seeding however; corn silage was observed during the inspection.
   

Recommended follow-up / information to request from Da-Ran Dairy:

• All manure applications to field 89 shall cease until the restriction map is updated to include the tile outlet, submitted through the Water Permit   Application webpage for public notice, and approved by the department.
  
• SnapPlus shall be updated to indicate the field is tiled.
  
•   The restriction maps the department has with the most current version of the NMP (2016 NMP
  Update submitted March 2016) cannot be viewed due to an outdated mapping system. Resubmit updated restriction maps for all fields in Da Ran Dairy’s NMP.
  Based on several observed NMP violations, enforcement action is recommended.
  Enclosure: Inspection Report Da Ran Dairy Field 89
  E-Copy to: Rick Stoll, WDNR Watershed Field Supervisor
  Mary Anne Lowndes, WDNR Runoff Management Section Chief