By Gregg Hoffmann
WisBusiness.com
A proposed 2,900 hog Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) has been put on hold in Crawford County.
The Crawford County Conservation Committee recently voted unanimously to table the decision on approving or denying a CAFO expansion permit for the operation, to be built near Wauzeka by A.V. Roth.
A subcommittee of the Conservation Committee has been given the responsibility of hiring an independent nutrient management planner to review the CAFO plan. Once the plan has been adequately reviewed, a decision to approve or deny the permit will be made at the January or February Conservation Committee meeting.
The operation is located on a bluff right above Boydtown Creek, a direct tributary to the Wisconsin River near Wauzeka. Water contamination has been an issue in the past for this operation and there are contamination concerns if the operation is approved to expand.
In addition to reviewing the nutrient management plan, issues of concern include the engineering plans and engineering inspections and building permits.
About 200 people attended a hearing last month on the operation. Another 50 letters of concern were filed with the county.
Roth maintained he will meet all state and federal regulations in the operation. Several of his neighbors supported Roth, saying he has been responsible in operating a 1,450 hog operation.
A similar size hog operation drew protests in Vernon County earlier this year. That operation was approved, with some restrictions.
