The Northwestern (Oshkosh, WI) Dec.13, 2009
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/article/20091213/OSH06/912130370
Common sense dictates that if you propose doubling something, the potential upsides and downsides increase at the same level. That is particularly true when the variables involve natural processes that we think we understand, but by no means have mastered to the point where absolutes can be trusted without question.
It is with this in mind one must view the proposal to expand the Rosendale Dairy from 4,000 to 8,000 cows, which would make it the largest operation in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources is currently reviewing a permit application to expand the operation, reduce the frequency of groundwater monitoring from monthly to quarterly if it has no violations after two years and increase the land area it spreads liquid manure from 5,600 acres to nearly 13,000.
The proposal was the subject of a widely attended public hearing earlier this month in Ripon and a comment period to the agency that closed Thursday. A formal decision on the permit is expected over the next two months. Not surprisingly, so-called "mega farms" are a fiercely debated topic with proponents pointing to the potential for job creation and profitability and opponents decrying the environmental impact as well as assembly-line treatment of animals.
DNR officials must balance protecting the environment against the dairy's right to conduct business consistent with meeting regulations that do not set a limit on dairy herds. In addition, the agency must also consider the immense credibility gap it faces in light of badly botched deer herd estimates that were lambasted by hunters and a bi-partisan chorus of lawmakers. The public, rightfully so, may treat the DNR's official pronouncements about the safety of the operation with skepticism.
In addition, Rosendale Dairy operators are missing an opportunity to demonstrate leadership by not only agreeing to continue monthly testing, but to take the advice of public hearing attendees and make the results available to the public in a variety of formats. Such proactive and transparent measures could soothe concerns about the environmental impact of the farm.
Finally, it behooves state leaders to proactively examine the rules and regulations of such agri-businesses as they continue to get rapidly larger. It wasn't long ago that 4,000 cows was the largest operation, now the ceiling could be lifted to 8,000. The time to be studying the impact of larger operations is now, not when a company buys up thousands of acres for an even larger operation.
The Final Thought: The Department of Natural Resources should not relax the testing standards for a proposed mega-farm operation in Rosendale.