By Gregg Hoffmann
WisBusiness.com
The Vernon County Board will consider on Tuesday a controversial proposed livestock siting ordinance and moratorium that could have statewide implications.
The proposed moratorium calls for a six month temporary freeze on the development of new and expanding livestock facilities of 500 animal units or more. The moratorium and ordinance have been prompted by a proposed 2400-animal hog farm near Retreat.
More than 300 people, divided on the proposals, showed up at a recent hearing on the measures. Some questioned whether a county can regulate stock facilities and pass regulations stiffer than the state law.
Supporters of the moratorium say state law allows local governments to temporarily halt
the development of livestock facilities “to aid in their efforts to study and
possibly adopt new livestock siting regulation.”
This authority is referred
to as a “moratorium or interim control ordinance.”
Moratorium supporters say they are asking for a short window of time to craft a livestock siting ordinance that protects the health and safety of all Vernon County residents.
According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture, there were 2,230 farms in Vernon County in 2002. Of the 2,230 farms, 97% of those farms were too small to be affected by the
proposed temporary moratorium, supporters of the measure claim.
Vernon County’s legal counsel has advised the County Board that the proposed
moratorium is legal and defensible in the court of law. Threats of a
lawsuit have left some County Board members unsure of whether they should support
the moratorium.
A recent straw poll of Vernon County Supervisors as recent as Aug. 4 showed 15 of the 29 Vernon County Supervisors remain undecided on how they will vote on the moratorium and ordinance.
