Dane County Executive Falk Pushes for Stricter Manure Ordinance

March 07, 2005
Lesley Sillaman, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823
County Executive

Madison – Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk today released the following letter, addressed to the County’s Land Conservation Committee and the Lakes and Watershed Commission, requesting an amendment of the current manure ordinance to prohibit winter spreading of liquid manure. The amendment would prevent this practice, which is believed to have caused several fish kills in Wisconsin rivers, most recently on the West Branch Sugar River. “It is important to prevent the spreading of liquid manure in the winter, to protect our streams and the health of our fish,” said Falk. “With the help of farmers, we can do this and protect both family farms and the environment.” The ordinance would include language, similar to language used in Maine state law, that would include a variance procedure that would allow a person to spread manure during the winter due to financial hardship. The letter and relevant language is attached. ###