NEWS RELEASE
Release: 7/22/11
Contact: Denny Caneff, LWCB member, (608) 257-2424, Ext. 115 dcaneff@wisconsinrivers.org
MADISON–A Madison-based forum planned for August 2 will examine the regulatory, environmental and practical aspects of land-applied liquid wastes, better known as “sludge.”
The Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Board is sponsoring the gathering titled “Land-Applied Wastes from Municipal, Septic and Industrial Sources,” scheduled for Tues., August 2, 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., Board Room, first floor, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison. The forum will follow the bi-monthly meeting of the LWCB.
“There’s a lot we don’t understand about how sludge spread on farmland affects soil and water quality, and whether farmers are accounting for the nutrients in sludge being spread on their land,” said Denny Caneff, a member of the LWCB and executive director of the River Alliance of Wisconsin. “This forum is intended to shed some light and answer some ongoing questions.”
The forum will be of value to farmers, nutrient management planners, crop consultants, conservation staff and environmental groups.
The forum will begin with an overview of land-applied liquid wastes and the regulation of sludge, presented by Fred Hegeman, wastewater engineer, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Next, Brown County Conservationist, Bill Hafs and Todd Schaumberg, crop consultant with Polenske Agronomics Consulting, will look at the use of sludge applied to agricultural land, the amount of phosphorus in the sludge and the effect of land-applied sludge on nutrient management planning. Finally, Mark Borchardt, USDA Agricultural Research Service in Marshfield, will present information on the environmental impacts of sludge, including runoff and groundwater impacts. Time has been set aside to receive public comments following the presentations.
There is no charge to attend the forum. For questions, contact Denny Caneff, LWCB, (608) 257-2424, Ext. 115 or email, dcaneff@wisconsinrivers.org.
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