Wisconsin Ag Connection - Farm Groups Identify Weaknesses in Water Quality Task Force Report

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Farm Groups Identify Weaknesses in Water Quality Task Force Report
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 08/18/2008

A group of 10 Wisconsin farm organizations have sent a letter to Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matthew Frank and State Agriculture Secretary Rod Nilsestuen to point out weaknesses in the Northeast Wisconsin Karst Task Force Report and proposed ways to fix the problems. Calling themselves the 'Agriculture Coalition,' the ag groups say the University of Wisconsin Discovery Farms Program has issued its review of the Karst Report--and they have indicated that inadequate identification of sources that impact water quality and overstatement of soil risks were used in the Karst report.

The focus of the Northeast Wisconsin Karst Task Force Report, completed in February 2007, was limited to livestock agriculture's contribution to water quality issues in Karst topography. The Discovery Farms' review indicated that this approach was too limiting and failed to take into account water quality impacts caused by a variety of other contributing sources. The report overstates the risk presented, and the Agriculture Coalition is concerned that the Karst Report will be referenced as a peer-reviewed technical guide when revising statewide agriculture regulations.

"All land activities are important to take into consideration. Efforts to reduce groundwater degradation must take into account a range of issues and include strategies for dealing with all of them. All sources of nutrient impact to groundwater need to be evaluated so that we can effectively protect and improve Wisconsin's environment," said Laurie Fischer, director of the Dairy Business Association.

The Coalition's letter supported developing a broader study of carbonate bedrock areas throughout Wisconsin and recommendations regarding well construction, maintenance and testing. Other suggestions were to expand research and training efforts to include land managers, agency staff and service providers, as well as establishing a soil mapping pilot program through UW Discovery Farms using Calumet County as a starting point. The goal of the mapping program would be to reduce the risk of surface and groundwater contamination by studying soil depth and nutrient application.

Members of the Agriculture Coalition who signed the letter were the Wisconsin Pork Association, Wisconsin Cattlemen's Association, Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, Wisconsin Crop Production Association, Wisconsin Agri-Service Association, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, Midwest Food Processors Association, Inc., Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Agribusiness Council, and Dairy Business Association.

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