Contact: Jane Larson (608) 224-5005
MADISON—A panel of technical experts will reconvene to review standards used for livestock operations permitted under Wisconsin’s Livestock Siting Law, announced Secretary Rod Nilsestuen, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
The expert committee is part of a review of the siting law, which was required to be completed four years after the law was first established in 2006.
“We began the review process earlier this year with a very successful series of listening sessions, which generated over 850 comments that provided thoughtful insights on a range of issues related to the siting of livestock operations,” Nilsestuen said.
The same legislation that requires a four year review also mandates the appointment of an expert committee to review the siting standards.
“Appointing an expert committee is the most appropriate way to address the lessons learned over the last four years of the siting law and the comments expressed during the listening sessions related to a variety of issues.”
The committee members will have the same types of technical expertise and experience as the technical committee that assisted with the livestock siting rule development in 2004.
Like the original committee, membership will include public and private sector experts in permitting livestock operations, air emissions, odor, nutrient management, runoff management, and agricultural engineering. Some new expertise will be added to address issues that have arisen since the passage of the law.
“The knowledge and skills of the group reflect the need of the siting standards to protect water and air quality. In addition, four years of experience with the law points to the need for new expertise in areas such as public health, zoning and land use planning,” Nilsestuen said.
The committee will be asked to review siting standards to ensure they provide for responsible growth while correctly balancing other considerations such public health and safety, and practicality. Specifically, the committee will consider the following standards in light of the latest research, field experience and other factors:
* Livestock structures and their location on the property which would include structural and manure storage setbacks from property lines.
* Odor and air emissions which includes an assessment of odor credits for structures and manure handling practices.
* Nutrient management which includes identifying required documentation within the nutrient management plan.
* Waste storage facilities which includes clarifying waste generation calculations.
* Runoff management including the consideration of federal standards for controlling leachate from stored feed.
* Determining the completeness of the application materials for a siting permit.
The members of the technical expert panel will be announced by mid-June.
For more information on the technical expert panel, contact Mike Murray, livestock siting specialist, (608) 224-4613 or mike.murray@wisconsin.gov.
