Wisconsin CAFO Permits on Public Notice

This page lists public notice tips and pending livestock operation permits on public notice in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) provides public notice for all pending livestock operation permits.

Use your voice to alert WDNR of your thoughts on industrial livestock facilities by submitting public comments and requesting public hearings.

View current CAFO NPDES permits and Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) revisions on public notice on the WDNR website.

Tips on public notices and how to take action in Wisconsin:

How long do permits stay on public notice?

For WPDES (Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System) permits, a 30-day public comment period starts on the date the public notice is posted. Public notice for WPDES permits is posted on the DNR website and is also published in the legal notices section of the local newspaper in the vicinity of the facility.

For NMP (Nutrient Management Plan) revisions, a 14-day public comment period starts on the date the public notice is posted on the WDNR permitting website.

Note: WPDES permits are the general CAFO operating permits in Wisconsin regulated under the Clean Water Act. Nutrient Management Plans are required components of WPDES permits that outline the amounts, timing, locations, methods and other aspects related to land application of manure and process wastewater. CAFO operators revise NMPs whenever there is a change to their land application process.

How can I submit a public comment?

For WPDES permits, any member of the public may submit written comments to the WDNR within the 30-day public comment period. Submit your comments via email or physical mail to the email or physical mailing address of the WDNR employee who managed the permit, known as the Permit Drafter. More detailed instructions on how to find the public notice or Permit Drafter’s email or mailing address can be found here. Anyone providing comments in response to this public notice will receive a notification of the Department’s final decision.

For NMP revisions, any member of the public may submit written comments to the WDNR within the 14-day public comment period. Submit your comments online via the WDNR epermitting website, or by email or physical mail to the Permit Drafter. More detailed instructions can be found here.

Can I request a public hearing?

For WPDES permits, you may request a public hearing during the 30-day public notice period by sending an email or physical mail to the Permit Drafter’s email or physical address (instructions for locating this information are under “How can I submit a public comment?”). You must state the following in your written public hearing request: the name and address of the person(s) requesting the hearing; the interest in the proposed permit of the person(s) requesting the hearing; the reasons for the request; and the issues proposed to be considered at the hearing.

For NMP revisions, you may request a public hearing during the 14-day public notice period by checking the “Public Hearing Requested” box on the WDNR epermitting website, or by submitting a written request via email or physical mail to the Permit Drafter.

WDNR may schedule a hearing if they receive a public hearing request from any individual, although they are not required to. WDNR is required to schedule a public hearing if a petition requesting a hearing is received from 5 or more people OR if response to the public notice indicates significant public interest pursuant to s. 283.49, Stats.

Wisconsin CAFO Permits on Public Notice

Tips on public notices and how to take action in Wisconsin:

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