DNR revising clean water rules

This was sent by Wisconsin Rep. Jill Billings (D-95):

Step Toward Safer Water in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released a proposal Monday that seeks to address the issue of groundwater contamination by revising some of the DNR's administrative rules. The draft rules would be stricter on large farms whose manure runoff contaminates groundwater. The water quality has been especially poor in Kewaunee County, where dangerous pathogens were found in well over half of the tested drinking wells. However, La Crosse County has seen its share of groundwater pollution, with a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) depositing nitrates in the water near the Town of Hollandale.

In a statement, Clean Wisconsin said the DNR is taking a good  first step toward making water in Wisconsin safer, but warned again the fact that the new administrative rules would not cover all of Wisconsin. Unfortunately, this rule does not cover any karst geology that runs along the western side of Wisconsin, in the La Crosse area. 

As part of revising their rules, the DNR will prepare an economic impact analysis for the proposed rule changes. A preliminary draft of the rule can be found here. The public has an opportunity to give input for the economic impact analysis between July 7 and August 7. A public meeting will also be held on the proposed permanent rule this fall.