(Madison) - Information released by the Department of Natural Resources reveals that several mega-livestock operations in the state have failed to properly manage their manure and caused or increased the risk of water pollution.

From September 2000 to September 2001, eighteen mega-livestock operations caused water pollution or increased the risk of that pollution through mismanagement of manure.  Water quality problems ranged from multiple manure spills to failing to establish a plan for managing manure.

Of the 18 facilities, nine of them had manure spills or had disposed of too much manure on crop fields.  Some of the government documents revealed multiple manure spills at individual facilities over the course of several days.

“The number of problems is very high given the fact that, as of last September, there were only 100 mega-livestock operations in the state at that time,” observed Andrew Hanson, attorney with Midwest Environmental Advocates, Inc.

“Clearly, factory farms are not safer and more efficient than their smaller, more sustainable counterparts,” said John Kinsman, family dairy producer and President of Family Farm Defenders.

DNR records indicated that only one fine had been levied against violaters of state law, and that for only $400.  No civil penalties had been paid by any of the other operations that had manure spills or had otherwise violated state law.

“The DNR has failed to enforce the law and recover revenue to offset the costs of the pollution,” Hanson says.

For more information, contact: Andrew Hanson or call 608-251-5047