It was standing room only at Sunnyside School for many of the several hundred people attending the Martell Town Board hearing Thursday evening.  The question was, should a proposed 1190 animal unit dairy factory farm be built on 45 acres of land about 1/2 mile from the Rush River.

Residents and friends of Martell were each allowed ten minutes to testify in favor or opposition to the proposed facility.  Testimony started at 7:00 PM  and ran until after 11:00 p.m.  Most were opposed to the industrial farming operation.  All the people testifying in favor of the project had some economic relationship with Dean Doornick, the Baldwin resident proposing the facility.

After the testimony the Town Board held a meeting and voted 3-0 to oppose the project until the DNR conducts a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and shows that it will not harm the environment.

There was press coverage from as far as Eau Claire, and KARE-TV from the Twin Cities.

Pierce County is one of the few local Counties who's zoning does not require a special permit for farms over 1000 animal units in size.  Opponents pledge to take the battle to the County Board to see that zoning rules are changed.

The Martell Board's decision is considered a victory for industrial farm opponents, who recognize it is only the beginning of a long process.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has received a preliminary application and is waiting for more specific plans before beginning the Environmental Assessment Process.