St. Croix 360

River stories to inspire stewardship.

  • Share News
  • Event Calendar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Support

St. Croix County requests stronger DNR enforcement of factory farm violations

Officials request "full and quick enforcement" after repeated rule-breaking by Emerald Sky Dairy.

By Greg Seitz | March 6, 2020 | 3 minute read

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Telegram

A St. Croix County committee has requested the state take quick action in response to a series of manure spills at a Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) near the Willow River in western Wisconsin.

The move comes after a November 2019 incident in which manure was spread on a field and quickly ran off into a nearby trout stream, contaminating the water and killing minnows.

St. Croix 360 was the first media outlet to report the spill.


St. Croix 360 is now 100% supported by readers.

Please make a contribution today!

Thank you.


Last year’s spill was the fifth problem in three years from Emerald Sky Dairy, a 1,500-animal facility near Baldwin.

At its February meeting, the Community Development Committee unanimously approved a letter to the local Department of Natural Resources regulator, and sending copies to the Governor, DNR Secretary, and other officials.

A persistent problem

“The [Community Development Committee] requests full and quick enforcement of manure application rules and statutes for CAFOs located in St. Croix County,” the letter reads. “The fines and measures taken for past violations are appreciated but they were not timely.”

The committee pointed out that previous violations at Emerald Sky Dairy resulted in insubstantial fines that came years after the spills, with multi-year payment plans for the offender. They said it meant there wasn’t a “cause and effect impact.” Most importantly, it does not seemed to have worked to prevent additional problems.

Emerald Sky Dairy’s state permit is up for renewal soon, and the officials said they hoped it could be an opportunity to improve the facility’s operations.

Committee members who spoke during the meeting said they support farming and understand the importance of the dairy industry, and even the benefits of spreading manure on fields as fertilizer. But they said this one particular facility, one of the only CAFOs in the region, has had repeated problems.

“It’s not saying that farming is bad in St. Croix County, it’s saying that there’s one particular one that has more problems than anybody else,” said committee member and county supervisor Judy Achterhof, who represents the area. “And nothing seems to be getting done about it, and the more people that know about it, maybe something will be done.”

Enforce existing rules

Enforcing current CAFO rules is also important as the state of Wisconsin discusses changing, and possibly weakening or strengthening, its regulations for how such facilities can operate.

Committee chair and county supervisor Daniel Hansen said he had heard from a lot of citizens who are worried about Emerald Sky Dairy. In recent years, the committee has heard more public comments about the facility than any other livestock operation in the county.

“I would like to see a more vigorous enforcement of the rules that are in place,” said committee chair and county supervisor Daniel Hansen. “Some people call for more rules, some people call for different rules, I think that the rules we have are pretty good and that we just need to see them enforced.”

Hansen also said he thinks there needs to be more DNR presence in monitoring, educating, and enforcing CAFO laws and permits.

“We need to have a more healthy relationship with the farmers, we need people in the field helping them follow the rules. Not cracking the whip, but following the rules,” Hansen said. “If there were more regulators in the field, it would be helpful to the farmers.”

The letter closed by asking the DNR to either respond to the concerns in writing, or attend a future committee meeting to discuss the issue.

Read the full letter (PDF).

Related articles:

Comments

  1. Jennifer Litzau says

    March 7, 2020 at 9:03 pm

    This is why I don’t consume dairy or meat. There is no need and it’s destroying our planet.

  2. Virginia J. Drath says

    March 9, 2020 at 2:07 pm

    This letter that the Saint Croix County Community Development drafted was also sent to : Gov. Evers, Lt. Gov. Mandela Barns, Attorney General Josh Kaul, Sec Of DNR Preston Cole, and Chris Clayton who last year worked at DATCP but is now with the regional office of DNR in Eau Claire, to Sen Patty Schactner District 10 and to Rep. Rob Stafscholt District 29 and will be presented ” for the record” to our town board on March 11th, by our County Supervisor, Judy Achterhof. This letter was requested by citizens, not just Emerald Township but by others in Saint Croix County. There are 4 different species of minnows in the picture according to the DNR report. This was Hutton Creek on Hwy G, this creek feeds into the Willow River and on into the St. Croix River. If anyone sees spills, this is the number you can call and be anonymous, it is 1-800-943-0003, If possible , take pictures, or call me at 715-265-7063. or email at FB St.Sroix County Defending Our Water, or http://www.SaveEmeraldWater.com . I am tired of Emerald Sky Dairy thumbing their nose at our community, putting public health at risk , and going on with “business as usual”. My faucets say hot and cold, not Democrat or Republican, clean water is every ones responsibility.

Follow

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Features

Cold comfort

New preserve will let students, community, and anglers experience the Kinnickinnic River

Legislators seek to stop commercial turtle harvesting in Minnesota

St. Croix 360 is now 100% supported by readers.

Click here to contribute →

 

Latest News

Afton State Park Phenology Feb. 19 to March 4, 2021

Spring is coming: Officials provide first St. Croix River flood forecast of season

Tax dollars work for water: Legacy Amendment funds will help protect St. Croix River

Watch: A guy’s goats keep him company while he swims the icy St. Croix

Afton State Park phenology update: Winter wildlife from owls to snow fleas

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

About

St. Croix 360 builds support for river stewardship, and connects people and organizations. It is an independent news source produced by Greg Seitz, with past support from the St. Croix River Association.

Donate to St. Croix 360 today »

Story of 360

One of the biggest challenges facing the St. Croix River is harmful blooms of algae in in the lower river, due to excess nutrients in runoff. The goal is to restore the river by reducing phosphorus levels to 360 tons/year. Learn more »

Share Your News

St. Croix 360 is powered by a broad community of St. Croix River-loving people. Please visit our submission page to send tips, press releases, and other news.

Submit an Event

Lower St. Croix: St. Croix 360 partners with online calendar St. Croix Splash.

  • Submit your events to Splash.
  • Share it with St. Croix 360 for promotion.

For events elsewhere in the watershed, contact St. Croix 360 directly.

St. Croix 360 Syndication

To help increase awareness of the St. Croix River, news organizations and other outlets are free to share St. Croix 360 content, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Republish St. Croix 360 stories »

Partners

  • St. Croix River Association
  • St. Croix Watershed Research Station
  • ArtReach St. Croix
  • You and all St. Croix 360's readers!
Handcrafted in May Township, Minnesota. Please contribute today »
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.