Overview

Overview of Water Protection Permits for Large Farms

Every farm is responsible for properly managing its manure and the other nutrients it applies to the land to prevent polluting lakes, rivers, wetlands and groundwater.

Under federal and state laws, large farms must get water protection permits because of the volume of their manure and the increased potential risk it poses to Wisconsin waters if a spill or runoff occurs. Smaller farms may be required to get permits as well if they've had past manure problems or meet other risk factors.

When farms should apply for a permit

New farms that want to start with 1,000 or more animal units, or farms that are expanding to at least that size, must submit an application at least one year before they expect to reach the threshold. It's essential that operators contact the DNR early on so that we can complete our review of regulated structures before their construction, that permitting concerns can be addressed as part of the planning process, and that the permit is issued before the operation expands beyond 1,000 animal units.

NOTE: If an operation currently has more than 1,000 animal units and does not have a WPDES permit, the owner or operator must contact the DNR immediately.

It is the responsibility of the owner or operator to request an application from the DNR. Enforcement actions could result for those who do not apply but are found to have 1,000 animal units or more. See below for more details on the WPDES CAFO permit process.

The process to get a permit

Permit applicants must submit detailed information about the operation, a manure management plan, plans and specifications for all manure storage facilities, and a completed environmental analysis questionnaire. They must undergo an environmental assessment and public review. While the process is rigorous, the DNR has not rejected any completed, well-documented and credible application.

Permit requirements to protect water

The permit DNR issues requires farms to meet standards, follow prohibitions on certain activities, and meet other requirements to safeguard water, including:

• Follow approved facility construction plans
• Develop and implement a plan for when, where and how much manure and other nutrients to spread
• Have a minimum of 6 months storage for liquid manure
• Not spread liquid manure during frozen/snow-covered conditions
• Not spread liquid or solid manure during February or March
• Collect detailed landspreading and inspection records
• Control feedlot runoff to a zero discharge standard
• And others

Statistics

• Wisconsin CAFO Statistics - Detailed information about the number and location of CAFOs in Wisconsin
• Wisconsin CAFO Tracking Report [PDF 58KB] - This report provides only status updates, such as permit issuance/reissuance and review of plans for designed structures, on operations that currently have active projects submitted to the Department. The report is updated with new submittals at least bi-monthly. A complete list of currently permitted operations can be accessed from the "Online Data" tab on this page.

Rosendale

Rosendale Dairy

Rosendale Dairy in Fond Du Lac County has requested changes to their water quality protection permit to allow them to double to 8,000 their dairy cows and increase the land they spread manure on. The DNR has required Rosendale Dairy to meet the state's most stringent water protections ever to expand their operation. A revised permit was issued Jan. 22, 2010.

Press release: Rosendale Dairy must meet strict water protections to expand

Modified Permit Materials

1. Notice Of Final Decision on permit modification request [PDF 90KB]
2. WPDES Permit [PDF 157KB]
3. Enhanced Water Protections in Rosendale Permit [PDF 27KB]

Initial Permit Materials

• The initial permit issuance was approved in March 2009 with the understanding the dairy would pursue expansion and that the permit would need to be modified. An Environmental Impact Statement, EIS, examining potential impacts associated with doubling the operations size was completed during the first permit issuance process.
  • Rosendale Dairy EIS [PDF 7MB]
  • Record of WEPA Decision [PDF 1.6MB]
  • EIS Comment Summary and Response [PDF 710KB]
• Rosendale Dairy Nurient Management Plan information - for copies or questions please contact: Andrew Craig

Online Data

• Online, Real-time Data for WPDES Permitted CAFOs - This interactive web page allows you to search, filter and download information about CAFO permitted operations.

Applications

• WPDES CAFO Permit Applications - The components for a complete WPDES permit application packet can be downloaded below in PDF format. If you would like to receive the permit application packet through the mail, or if you have any questions, please contact your Regional WDNR Ag. Runoff Management Specialist or check the list of Frequently Asked Questions concerning permit application timelines and procedures.
  1. Livestock Operation Permit Application Cover Letter (updated 1/07) [PDF 56KB]
  2. Instructions for Completing a Livestock Operation Permit Application [PDF 26KB]
  3. Livestock / Poultry Operation WPDES Permit Application (Form 3400-25) [PDF 53KB]
  4. Animal Units Calculation Worksheet (Form 3400-25a) [MS-Word 224KB] | [PDF 74KB]
  5. Environmental Analysis Questionnaire [PDF 46KB]
  6. Appendix A: State and Local Permit Checklist [PDF 37KB]
  7. Appendix B: WPDES Permit Application Process Flowchart [PDF 15KB]
  8. Appendix C: Manure Production Worksheet [PDF 146KB]
  9. Appendix D: Wisconsin Administrative Code NR243 [PDF 166KB]
  10. Appendix E: Consulting Engineers Specializing in Water Quality Design [PDF 17KB]

Forms

• WPDES CAFO Permit Forms
  1. CAFO WPDES Compliance Monitoring Checklist [PDF 260KB]
  2. Plan and Specifications Checklist [PDF 64KB]
  3. CAFO Nutrient Management Plan Checklist [PDF 74KB]