The Wisconsin Farmers Union and Wisconsin Environmental Advocates are calling a recent appeals court ruling a win for every rural community that depends on clean water.
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II ruled in favor of the WFU and Wisconsin DNR to require large livestock operations to apply for permits under the state’s water pollution permitting program.
As stated by WFU, the lawsuit back in 2023, when Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce sued the DNR on behalf of another group by the Wisconsin Dairy Alliance and Venture Dairy Cooperative.
They alleged that the DNR lacked the authority to require the permits.
In January 2024, a Calumet County judge rejected the lawsuit.
WFU President Darin Von Ruden said of the ruling, “Family farmers understand that stewardship of the land and water is key to long-term success. Ensuring that large livestock operations follow commonsense permitting rules protects our shared resources and the future of farming in Wisconsin.”
This is not the only lawsuit filed against the DNR by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.
They sued the state agency for regulating emissions in February this year.
