The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) board granted the agency permission to begin drawing up manure and fertilizer restrictions for areas prone to groundwater pollution. Despite concerns from the agricultural community, the board gave the department the green light on a 5-to-1 vote in mid-December.
The DNR released a broad outline of the restrictions last fall. These restrictions would be similar to those already in place in 15 northeastern Wisconsin counties as a result of drinking water contamination in the state’s Kewaunee County that has significant land masses with karst topography. The proposal would impose these regulations for manure and fertilizer in yet to be defined sensitive areas with highly permeable soil in other parts of the state.
It may be months before the department completes a draft, and the final regulations would need legislative approval.
This article appeared in the February 2020 issue of Journal of Nutrient Management on page 8.
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