Wisconsin DNR Looks To Expand CAFO Permit Staff

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources wants to move four full-time staff to regulating concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs.

In their 2017-19 biennial budget request, the DNR proposes increasing staff dedicated to the CAFO program from 17 to 21 by reallocating positions.

The agency declined an interview for this story, but their request cites significant growth in the number of CAFOs in the state, with around 285 permitted CAFOs currently operating.

The department said the move would also improve "responsiveness to public concerns about health and water quality impacts."

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Ken Notes: I hope this helps, but the DNR has become more political than ever so if the new staff finds issues that lead to restrictions on CAFOs that lead to contribution reductions from CAFOs my prediction is that DNR will see restrictions in funding from the legislature.