Wisconsin Ag Connection - New Committee Formed to Review Livestock Siting Rules

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New Committee Formed to Review Livestock Siting Rules
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 09/18/2014

Wisconsin Agriculture Secretary Ben Brancel has appointed nine members to the Livestock Facility Siting Technical Expert Committee to review ATCP Rule 51. The group will hold its first meeting on Thursday, where members will recommend if current standards need to be updated to keep pace with changing agricultural practices while protecting the environment.

"These committee members represent different areas of expertise such as nutrient management, odor or engineering," Brancel said. "Their insights will be valuable in helping us decide if adjustments need to be made in the current livestock siting rule."

The panel will be chaired by Deputy Ag Secretary Jeff Lyon. He says the final report will summarize the committee's findings, some of which could be used to modify the technical standards outlined in ATCP 51.

"In conducting the review, we will consider whether the standards are practical for producers to accomplish and for local governments to implement," Lyon said.

Other committee members include Kevin Beckard, Ag Source Labs, Mark Borchardt, Marshfield Ag Research Station; Tonya Gratz, Land & Water Conservation-Green Co.; Jerry Halverson, Manitowoc Co. Conservation Dept.; Brian Holmes, Agricultural Engineering- WI-Madison; Charles McGinley, St. Croix Sensory Inc.; Bob Pofahl, Resource Engineering Associates Inc.; and Matt Ruark, Dept. of Soil Science- UW-Madison.

Another nine people from state and federal agencies who work with land and water issues have also been named as advisors to the committee.

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