Kewaunee County approves manure irrigation ordinance

KEWAUNEE – The Kewaunee County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed an ordinance regulating manure irrigation at its Nov. 7 meeting.

The Chapter 37 Agricultural Waste and Process Wastewater Irrigation Ordinance allows low pressure-drip irrigation at a height no greater than 18 inches to apply nutrients during the growing season. The vote was 19-0 with one supervisor excused.

“I want to congratulate everyone who helped to make this ordinance a reality,” Chairman Robert Weidner said. “This ordinance is a true example of what can be accomplished when people collaborate to address a community problem.”

The vote followed months of work that included the formation of a technical workgroup made up of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Kewaunee County Land and Water Conservation Department. The county conservation department will administer, monitor and enforce the provisions.

“By requiring these strict measures, I believe it is a tool that farmers can utilize while being protective of the public health concerns of the citizens,” Davina Bonness, Director of the Land and Water Conservation Department, said. “This practice will alleviate the nutrient application during the groundwater recharge times of spring and fall when wells are the most vulnerable to contamination.”

“This ordinance puts another tool in the tool box of dairy producers to be able to spread nutrients on a growing crop in summer, instead of only spring or fall through multiple applications at lower rates to reduce the chance of having any issues with water quality,” Sup. John Pagel said.

“The vote on the revised ordinance would not have been possible without the support of so many concerned citizens who are working and speaking out for cleaner water and air here in Kewaunee County,” Sup. Lee Luft said.

To read the entire ordinance, go to kewauneeco.org

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Kewaunee County approves manure irrigation ordinance