Residents Challenge Dairy Expansion Amid Environmental Concerns in Pierce County, Wisconsin
PIERCE COUNTY, WI — A group of concerned residents in Pierce County is anxiously awaiting a response to their petition for a contested case hearing regarding the proposed expansion of Ridge Breeze Dairy. If approved, the dairy could grow fourfold, raising significant environmental concerns.
Larry Brenner, owner of Vino in the Valley and a nearby property owner, noted that the expansion could lead to the release of nearly 80 million gallons of untreated manure annually, posing a threat to local water sources like the Rush River, which holds personal significance for him. "It’s very special," Brenner reflected, highlighting the potential risks of manure runoff and increased odors.
Jenelle Ludwig Krause, executive director of Grassroots Organizing Western Wisconsin, emphasized the urgent health risks, citing personal family experiences with cancer and mental health issues potentially linked to manure exposure. "The odors from manure can increase anxiety and depression," Krause stated.
Both advocates stress the need for local community involvement to combat the expansion, despite facing substantial challenges from state and federal support for agribusiness. The organization anticipates that the expansion will be paused pending the hearing, allowing them to push for more strict local ordinances to regulate operations.
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