Dairy group sues DNR over pollution discharge rules

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A dairy association has filed a lawsuit alleging the state Department of Natural Resources is over-regulating large livestock operations.

The Wisconsin Dairy Business Association filed the lawsuit in Brown County last week. It alleges the DNR has changed requirements for concentrated animal-feeding operations, also known as CAFOS, to treat runoff and has begun regulating calf hutches without going through administrative rule-making procedures.

The association goes on to argue that the DNR is illegally requiring all CAFOS to obtain a pollution-discharge permit regardless of whether they actually discharge any pollution into state waters.

The lawsuit seeks judicial orders prohibiting the DNR from enforcing the new runoff guidance, declaring the regulation of calf hutches invalid and stipulating that the rule requiring blanket discharge permits is unenforceable.

A DNR spokesman declined comment.