Marathon County committee hears months-long debate over winter manure spreading; staff to form stakeholder work group

The Environmental Resources Committee on March (month) heard extensive public comment and a staff briefing on possible amendments to the county’s animal waste ordinance focused on winter manure spreading and phosphorus runoff concerns.

Committee chair Jake Loggin Hahn said the item was being discussed for education and information only and that no decision would be made at the meeting. He moved the item earlier on the agenda because “we have so many people here that are interested in this topic today,” and the committee agreed to proceed to public comment and staff presentations.

The public comment period included seven speakers who described a mix of concerns: potential damage to local roads from added hauling if farms are required to build storage, odors and health worries from paper mill biosolids, the economics of required manure pits for small farms, and interest in buffers and nutrient management plans as alternatives. Dean Beck, Towne Easton chairman from the Town of Houston, said small dairies are “vital to our community” and warned that forcing…