Wisconsin Ag Connection - DNR to Expedite Requests for Farmers Who Need Water

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DNR to Expedite Requests for Farmers Who Need Water
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 07/10/2012

Wisconsin's natural resources secretary announced on Monday that state water officials will expedite farmers' requests to divert stream or lake water to irrigate streamside crop fields in response to a drought emergency declared by Governor Scott Walker. Cathy Stepp says her agency is ready to make quick decisions on emergency irrigation requests and will work with farmers to make water available whenever possible while protecting the resources of sensitive streams and lakes.

"Due to the drought conditions some streams are already dry or very low," Stepp said. "Water levels in some streams, particularly in southern Wisconsin, may already be too low to support irrigation requests. Water conservation is encouraged by everyone--farmers, water users, businesses and industry statewide--to extend water supplies, helping protect the environment and other water users."

The DNR's waterway leader, Martye Griffin, says Walker's executive order declaring a state of emergency due to current drought conditions will last 60 days and provides for expedited requests of temporary irrigation permits for the purpose of agriculture crop irrigation. The temporary irrigation permits are valid for 30 days. Regardless of when they are granted, they are valid only until the 60-day emergency declaration ends, unless extended by a joint resolution of the state legislature.

The counties covered by the Executive Order include: Adams, Brown, Buffalo, Calumet, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Fond Du Lac, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson; Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, Lafayette, Marquette, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Monroe, LaCrosse, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Portage, Racine, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago and Wood.

The executive order means DNR staff who process the requests do not have to notify the public and other potentially affected users about the irrigation request. The order also requires DNR staff to inspect the stream or lake proposed for diversion within 72 hours of receiving a request.

People who want to request agricultural water diversions should identify their streamside lands and the proposed pump location, determine how much water they need and how often, and then contact the water management specialist for their county.

Meanwhile, Walker also encourages farmers to report crop conditions to their local U.S. Farm Service Agency office.

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