Post by jonsdigs on Jul 6, 2007 0:32:44 GMT -5
Vernon County could restrict large-scale farming
WisBusiness
By Gregg Hoffmann
7/5/2007
Viroqua - Vernon County could become at least the third county in the state to pass a large-scale farm livestock ordinance that is stricter than state regulations.
Vernon County Conservationist Kelly Jacobs recently said the county's Land and Water Conservation Committee is considering two options to govern large-scale farming operations -- a moratorium on them and/or a livestock siting ordinance.
Consideration of such measures is underway because a Ferryville couple, Jeff and Bonnie Parr, have received a building permit in the Town of Sterling to construct a facility that will house 2,400 hogs, which will allow them to operate without complying with state Confined Animal Feed Operation (CAFO) regulations.
The operation will have to meet manure storage and manure spreading standards administered by the National Conservation Resources Service, but that does not include regular groundwater testing monitored by the state.
County officials and environmentalists are concerned that large scale farming could lead to pollution because of the hilly terrain of the area and the fact that the karst geology, made up of fractured limestone, allows pollution to spread rather quickly.
Vernon County has a history of nitrate pollution in wells. The Liberty Pole school southwest of Viroqua, the last rural school in the Viroqua district, had students drink bottled water because the school's well had been polluted by nitrates. The school closed in 2005.
Full Story
WisBusiness
By Gregg Hoffmann
7/5/2007
Viroqua - Vernon County could become at least the third county in the state to pass a large-scale farm livestock ordinance that is stricter than state regulations.
Vernon County Conservationist Kelly Jacobs recently said the county's Land and Water Conservation Committee is considering two options to govern large-scale farming operations -- a moratorium on them and/or a livestock siting ordinance.
Consideration of such measures is underway because a Ferryville couple, Jeff and Bonnie Parr, have received a building permit in the Town of Sterling to construct a facility that will house 2,400 hogs, which will allow them to operate without complying with state Confined Animal Feed Operation (CAFO) regulations.
The operation will have to meet manure storage and manure spreading standards administered by the National Conservation Resources Service, but that does not include regular groundwater testing monitored by the state.
County officials and environmentalists are concerned that large scale farming could lead to pollution because of the hilly terrain of the area and the fact that the karst geology, made up of fractured limestone, allows pollution to spread rather quickly.
Vernon County has a history of nitrate pollution in wells. The Liberty Pole school southwest of Viroqua, the last rural school in the Viroqua district, had students drink bottled water because the school's well had been polluted by nitrates. The school closed in 2005.
Full Story