MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — A Wisconsin appeals court has ruled that the DNR can require large scale farms to get permits to operate high capacity wells.
The case stems from a 2023 lawsuit filed by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce and a pair of dairy industry groups that challenged the agency’s ability to require permits.
WMC argued that the rules were inconsistent with state and federal laws, but the three judge panel agreed with a Calumet County ruling that the regulations were within the DNR’s authority.
The ruling affects over 340 farms in the state, and requires them to ensure they have plans in place to prevent manure runoff and have management plans to keep fertilizers from reaching the groundwater.