The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will hold a public hearing on changes to soil and water resource management regulations.

The hearing will be held in the UW–Platteville Ullsvik Hall South Wednesday, April 3 from 2:30 to 4:30 and 6 to 8 p.m.

The changes are to ATCP 50, the administrative rule that governs the soil and water program in the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. The rule is being revised primarily to implement farm runoff standards adopted by the Department of Natural Resources in 2011.   These standards require farmers to improve pasture management, maintain a tillage setback, control discharges of process wastewater, and meet nutrient management targets.  State law requires DATCP to develop conservation practices to implement performance standards for farms.

A copy of the proposed rule is available at http://datcp.wi.gov; search for ATCP 50.  Participants may submit oral or written comments at the hearing. Written comments will be accepted through April 30 by mail addressed to Lisa Schultz, DATCP-DARM, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI  53718-8911, or emailed to lisaj.schultz@wi.gov. Comments also may be submitted online at health.wisconsin.gov/admrules/public/Home — search for ATCP 50 and choose the version "under promulgation."