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.

The public notice table is updated bi-monthly. We will do our best to give ample notice for every pending permit. However, given the nature of public notices and our capacity, we will, unfortunately, miss some permits on public notice. Last updated: January 2024

Here are 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.

WPDES Issuances and Reissuances

Permittee (CAFO Facility)	County	Permit Number	Public Notice Start Date	End Date	Permit Action	Supporting documents
Grass Ridge Farm LLC	Wood	WI-0066729-01-0	March 22, 2024	April 21, 2024	initial issuance	Fact Sheet with Supporting Documents
Fitz Pine Dairy Farm Inc	Manitowoc	WI-0065226-03-0	March 22, 2024	April 21, 2024	reissuance	Fact Sheet with Supporting Documents
Egan Bros Partnership	Waupaca	WI-0065153-03-0	March 21, 2024	April 20, 2024	reissuance	Fact Sheet with Supporting Documents
Springside Cheese Corporation	Oconto	WI-0053015-11-0	March 8, 2024	April 7, 2024	reissuance	Fact Sheet with Supporting Documents
Tag Lane Dairy Farm LLC	Jefferson	WI-0063932-03-0	March 6, 2024	April 5, 2024	reissuance	Fact Sheet with Supporting Documents
Blaken Farms LLC	Jackson	WI-0063657-04-0	February 28, 2024	March 29, 2024	reissuance	Fact Sheet with Supporting Documents
UW Arlington Agricultural Research Station	Columbia and Dane	WI-0063908-03-0	February 26, 2024	March, 27, 2024	availability of nutrient management plan	Fact Sheet with Supporting Documents

To view the whole list, click here.

Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) Revisions

County	Application #	Applicant	Project Name	Public Notice End Date	Type	Status
Marinette	AG-NMP-NE-2024-38-X03-19T11-09-17	Coleman Ponderosa LLC	Coleman Ponderosa New Fields 3.24	04/08/2024	Livestock Operations	Pending
Manitowoc	AG-NMP-NE-2024-36-X03-19T12-04-35	Strutz Farm Inc	SFI New Fields 3-19-24	04/08/2024	Livestock Operations	Pending
Chippewa	AG-NMP-WC-2024-9-X03-19T08-21-03	Solhawk Dairy Inc	Solhawk Dairy 2024 - NEW FIELDS	04/08/2024	Livestock Operations	Pending
Jefferson	AG-NMP-SC-2024-28-X03-19T15-32-00	Tag Lane Dairy Farm LLC	Tag Lane 2024 NMP-New Fields	04/08/2024	Livestock Operations	Pending
Sheboygan	AG-NMP-SE-2024-60-X03-17T14-54-29	Kohlwey Farms LLC	2024 Kohlwey Farms Spring Sub Rev	04/05/2024	Livestock Operations	Pending

To view the whole list, click here.

Wisconsin CAFO Permits on Public Notice

Here are tips on public notices and how to take action in Wisconsin:

WPDES Issuances and Reissuances

Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) Revisions

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