Dane County farmers could face more regulations in the spreading and storage of manure.
Farmers packed a land conservation committee hearing on manure storage Wednesday afternoon.
The County will consider an ordinance to stop the spreading of liquid manure in winter. Other proposed changes regulate how a farmer builds or alters storage facilities. The permit fee climbs to $750 unless farmers attend a workshop before making changes.
Brett Hulsey from the Lakes and Watershed Commission says, "Farmers spread about 10,000 pounds of manure for every crop acre in Dane County. That's a lot. We're the number one farm county so we need to figure out a way farm, streams and development pressure compatible this is an attempt to do that.”
The proposed changes grandfather in existing facilities. Supporters say the changes prevent water pollution.
The DNR has investigated a number of fish kills caused by manure runoff. The "Capital Times" another major runoff Wednesday. This time into Lake Mendota in February.
