Advertisement

Many speak at public hearing about proposed CAFO

Error message

  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 133 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to get property 'settings' of non-object in _simpleads_adgroup_settings() (line 343 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Warning: array_merge(): Expected parameter 1 to be an array, bool given in _simpleads_render_ajax_template() (line 157 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/includes/simpleads.helper.inc).
  • Notice: Trying to access array offset on value of type null in include() (line 24 of /home/pdccourier/www/www/sites/all/modules/simpleads/templates/simpleads_ajax_call.tpl.php).

AV Roth addresses the crowd at a public hearing regarding his proposed CAFO Roth Feeder Pig II. (Photos by Ted Pennekamp)

These are most of the 49 individuals who attended the public hearing early Tuesday afternoon at the Crawford County Administration Building, where both sides of the issue presented arguments for and against the proposed CAFO, Roth Feeder Pig II.

By Ted Pennekamp

 

Only 49 people were present at the outset of a public hearing regarding the proposed Roth Feeder Pig II Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) in front of the Crawford County Land Conservation Committee Tuesday afternoon, July 12 in the County Administration Building. County Conservationist Dave Troester said another 13 attended the meeting virtually. 

Some expected a bigger turnout for what has a been a contentious issue over the last few years, with several groups and individuals speaking against the proposed CAFO. Others have spoken in favor of the CAFO.

Numerous people spoke at the hearing, and submitted brief written comments as well when they registered at the beginning of the meeting. Each person had three minutes to speak, and most were against having the Land Conservation Committee issue the livestock siting permit that AV Roth has applied for at Harvest Lane in rural Wauzeka.

“We are a fifth-generation home farm, and I’ve lived in Crawford County all my life,” said Roth who opened the meeting to explain what his plans are and to address citizen concerns. “There is not anybody who cares more about the water more than we do,” said Roth about him and his family. “My 4-year-old drinks that water. My family drinks that water.” 

Roth said that the proposed CAFO would have approximately 5,000-5,100 sows. He also said the nutrient management plan and other regulations he has to follow are quite stringent.

“With my nutrient management plan I have to regulate every gallon of hog manure (fertilizer),” said Roth, who noted he has to regulate and account for in writing every gallon on his farm, plus every gallon that is given to other farmers for use on their farms in place of chemical fertilizer. “We are replacing chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer, which is a benefit for the farms that take this fertilizer to help grow their crops.”

“I want everyone to prosper,” said Roth. “It is hard to make it as a farmer.”

Roth said he also will inject manure into the soil to help alleviate odor concerns. Injecting manure also helps the farm, he said. Roth further noted he has to update his nutrient management plan every year. 

Roth said he currently has nine employees. He said the proposed CAFO is expected to add 22 more employees to the local economy. “The taxes will help the community,” he said. Roth also said several of his family members, including nine children also help out on the farm. 

Ellen Brooks of the Crawford Stewardship Project, which is against the proposed CAFO, said everyone, including the Land Conservation Committee, needs to do their due diligence. Brooks said there are a lack of acres for the spreading of the manure. Brooks was concerned about surface water, well water and groundwater quality. She also said Roth’s nutrient management plan is from 2020 and needs to be updated. 

Dr. Kathleen Tigerman of Crawford County and also of UW-Platteville, said, “I am deeply concerned about water. Water is life. People who own the land, own the water rights. Water rights is the most precious water in the world.” Tigerman also said there needs to be farmers who farm in a sustainable way.

Crawford Stewardship Project Coordinator Forest Jahnke praised the CAFO Moratorium and Study Committee that had previously been formed by the county to study the effects of CAFOs. Jahnke said the committee produced a helpful report and appendix to serve as scientifically verifiable findings of fact for future county action regarding CAFOs. 

“I would also refer you and the Land Conservation Committee to our Land and Water Resource Management Plan which under ‘Water Resources,’ goal 1 is to ‘Preserve, protect and enhance surface water, groundwater and riparian areas’ as well as Crawford County’s 2009-2029 Comprehensive Plan where groundwater quality is the top priority for residents of Crawford County, surface waters are the #2 priority, and air is the #3 priority. We feel that these are all important considerations for this application.”

Roth Feeder Pig II will house 2,981 animal units and generate approximately 9.4 million gallons of manure and process wastewater per year. Roth Feeder Pig II has a total of 1,455.3 acres available for land application of manure and process wastewater. Of this acreage, 67.4 acres are owned and 1,387.9 acres are rented. The site will consist of three barns and a composting area. The gilt development unit barn and gestation barn each will contain underfloor waste storage facilities. The farrowing barn will have underfloor reception tanks that drain to the gestation barn waste storage facility. The gestation barn and farrowing barn will have 251 days of liquid storage capacity. The gilt development unit barn will have 299 days of liquid storage capacity.

Roth Feeder Pig II received its Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on May 6. The WPDES permit became effective on June 1. The date of expiration is May 31, 2027.

County Conservationist Dave Troester said the county has until Sept. 5 to determine whether or not to approve of the livestock siting permit for Roth Feeder Pig II. He also noted, however, that the issue might be decided at the Land Conservation Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 9. He said all written and spoken comments are part of the official record and the committee will consider all of them in helping to arrive at a determination. Troester said more written comments will be accepted until Aug. 4.

Rate this article: 
No votes yet