Speak Up About the Impact of Livestock Facilities in Your Community

Aug 8, 2019 | Agriculture, Citizen Advocacy, Water Policy

Have you been affected by odor, noise, traffic, or runoff from large livestock facilities in your community? Do you want your community to be protected in the event that a livestock facility causes environmental or financial harm, or damages roads or neighboring property values? Please attend one of the following hearings and give public testimony to share your story and ask for the livestock siting rules to be updated to address your concerns.

Livestock Siting Public Hearings in August & September

Six public hearings are scheduled around the state in the coming weeks to explain proposed changes to Wisconsin’s livestock facility siting rule and gather public comment on the proposal.

In each of the six locations, there will be two sessions to accommodate citizens’ schedules, from 1-4pm and 5-8pm. Staff will present information about the proposed changes, and then allow time for public comments.

Written comments will also be accepted through September 13th.

The administrative rule, formally referred to as ATCP 51, sets standards and procedures that local governments must follow if they require permits for new or expanding livestock operations. Now is the time to bring your ideas forward so they can be considered for the final draft of the rule that will go to the Board of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection for approval before sending it to the Legislature. 

The dates and locations of the hearings are:

  • Oshkosh – Thursday, Aug. 15, 1-4pm and 5-8pm
    James P. Coughlin Center, 625 E. County Road Y
    Conference room A & B
  • Eau Claire – Monday, Aug. 19, 1-4pm and 5-8pm
    Chippewa Valley Technical College, 620 W. Clairemont Ave., Business Education Center
    Room 103A
  • Wausau – Tuesday, Aug. 20, 1-4pm and 5-8pm
    Entrepreneurial and Education Center, 100 N. 72nd Ave.
  • Madison – Thursday, Aug. 22, 1-4pm and 5-8pm
    Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection; 2811 Agriculture Drive
    Boardroom 106
  • Onalaska – Wednesday, Sept. 4, 1-4pm and 5-8pm
    Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, 3060 S. Kinney Coulee Road
    Thomas G. Rowe Room
  • Spooner – Thursday, Sept. 5, 1-4pm and 5-8pm
    DNR Service Center, 810 W. Maple St., Community Room 112 

Members of the public may also mail or email comments, or post them online:

Mail to:
DATCP-ARM, ATTN: Chris Clayton
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, 53708-8911

Email: [email protected]

Post online at: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/comment

(Comments must be received by the end of the day on Friday, Sept. 13th)

 

Learn More

Thanks to the Wisconsin Farmers Union and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATACP) for providing the information in this blog post.