Environmental Concerns Arise from Manure Spill in Trempealeau County
In a recent incident that has raised environmental concerns, state regulators have begun addressing a manure spill in Trempealeau County. The spill has led to contamination of two unnamed streams that feed into Beaver Creek.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was alerted to the situation after receiving a tip through their confidential hotline. Upon visiting the site in the town of Gale, a DNR warden observed manure runoff from snow-covered fields, attributed to Oak Ridge Dairy’s manure spreading activities.
According to Ben Uvaas from the DNR, the geographical features of the Driftless Area and recent snowmelt have contributed to the spill. He stated, “As temperatures rise, and the region got a little bit of snow the last couple days, there’s potential for additional runoff from the fields that had manure applied.”
DNR officials have discovered deceased fish, including brook trout, in the affected streams. Efforts are underway in collaboration with local conservation teams and the farm to manage and mitigate the spill’s impact.
To prevent such incidents, state regulators emphasize the importance of farmers refraining from manure application during high runoff risk periods. Farmers are encouraged to utilize the Wisconsin Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast map for guidance on assessing these risks.
