Western Wisconsin Residents Continue Fighting CAFO Expansion

Western Wisconsin residents continued to push back against a significant proposed expansion for a Pierce County factory farm this week.

Ridge Breeze Dairy seeks to nearly quadruple their operations, adding nearly 5,000 cows to their current herd of about 1,700 cows. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources signed off on a modified permit needed for the expansion last year.

Pierce County residents and GrassRoots Organizing Western Wisconsin officially challenged that permit by filing for a contested case hearing nearly a year ago. Many expressed environmental concerns about the expansion, specifically over manure spread and groundwater contamination. They’ve also expressed more broad concerns about how the expansion of the CAFO, or concentrated animal feeding operation, would impact the ability of smaller farms to remain competitive.

Opponents of the project argued that the modified permit does not require Ridge Breeze Dairy to monitor the groundwater. They also argued that thousands of acres of the land for the expansion have incorrect tillage listed under the Nutrient Management Plan, and that about 500 acres would be removed from the plan entirely under the permit. A number of them gathered outside the Wisconsin Department of Administration building in Eau Claire on Tuesday to testify against the expansion during the contested case hearing.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources previously found that the expansion area is less vulnerable to groundwater contamination, with about 200 feet between the surface and water table. Ridge Breeze Dairy officials also say they work with local partners and regulators to operate responsibly and follow prudent agricultural practices.

The contested case hearing will be decided by Wisconsin Administrative Law Judge Angela Chaput Foy, a decision that is likely to be appealed in the state circuit court system.