As reported by DTN’s Todd Neeley, Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources could have greater control over the water quality permitting process for the state’s concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs).
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals for the second district recommended the state’s supreme court hear a case that includes the consolidation of eight separate cases on Jan. 16.
Over the past decade, the state’s Department of Natural Resources has faced legal challenges from citizen petitioners, challenging the agency to impose stricter restrictions on CAFOs.
The state has argued a state law prevents the department from imposing certain permit conditions that are not spelled out in law.
The outcome of the case, if heard by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, could change that.
One of the consolidated cases involves Kinnard Farms Inc., a Kewaunee County dairy that sought permission to expand.
Kinnard was required to submit a permit application and the permit was granted in August 2012. The permit was contested, a move that has been appealed.
