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Wisconsin accepting comments on Richfield Dairy

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is taking public comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement for Milk Source’s proposed Richfield Dairy in Adams County.  The dairy would house 4,300 cows and 250 steers. The company plans to convert 115 acres of existing cropland to farm buildings and production areas. Richfield Dairy has an approved nutrient management plan with a total of approximately 16,300 acres available for spreading of manure. The project cost is estimated at $35 million.

The wastewater and high capacity well permits were approved, with modifications, by an administrative law judge on September 3, 2014. The draft EIS addresses concerns raised in a December 2013 court decision specifically directing the department to consider the environmental effects of the two proposed Richfield Dairy high capacity wells, in conjunction with other high capacity wells in the region.

The department has decided to follow the Environmental Impact Statement process as the most thorough approach to achieve compliance with the Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act and to satisfy the court order.  There will be a 45-day comment period on the draft EIS as well as a public hearing.  That hearing will be October 14^th, 7 pm at the Adams County Community Center in Adams.  Details and more information available on the DNR website.