By Blake Jackson
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has approved a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for Gilbert Farms in Door County, allowing the dairy operation to expand despite concerns raised by environmental organizations and local residents.
Gilbert Farms, located in the town of Sevastopol, currently operates with approximately 1,400 animal units and plans to increase its herd to about 2,400 animal units. Because the farm exceeds 1,000 animal units, it is regulated as a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO).
During a public hearing held in November, opponents expressed concerns that additional manure generated by the expanded operation could threaten groundwater quality. Others supported the proposal, citing its importance to the local agricultural economy.
Farm owner Tim Gilbert welcomed the approval, saying, “I was pretty confident that it was going to get approved. We work with the DNR, and the way we farm now is so much better than (the way) people did years ago.” He added that obtaining a CAFO permit subjects the farm to stricter environmental oversight.
To address concerns about Door County’s sensitive geology, the DNR is requiring Gilbert Farms to install groundwater monitoring wells, conduct routine water sampling, and submit the results to the agency.
“We are requiring this farm, due to the sensitive geologic area they’re in, to ensure that as they expand and build these new structures that there is not a negative impact on groundwater quality," Joe Baeten, agricultural runoff section manager for the Wisconsin DNR.
"That’s what those wells are designed to do, and then there’s the runoff controls and the manure storage that they’re building.”
Adam Voskuil, senior staff attorney for Midwest Environmental Advocates, questioned whether those safeguards would be sufficient.
“I have some concerns over whether or not they’ll actually avoid contamination of groundwater, and then, as a result, people’s drinking water wells,” Voskuil said. “While I recognize that DNR is mandating that this infrastructure be built, I’m not entirely sold that it’s going to fully prevent discharges to groundwater.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-digitalvision
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy, Livestock, Dairy Cattle