The CAFO spill
Liquid manure from a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation near Fennimore was found to be flowing across the snow and ground for two miles to a Class III trout stream. A malfunction in a pumping system at the farm operation led to the spill. The potential for harm to fish or other wildlife had not been determined yet, but neighboring residents had been told to drink bottled water and have their wells tested.
In March 2013, this particular CAFO contacted the Wisconsin Department of Natural resiources for assistance when a spill was imminent from their manure storage tank and due to bankruptcy they were unable to hire haulers to empty it. The DNR spent $50,000 at that time to assist the farm owner. Ten months later, following that situation, the DNR granted a permit in 2014 to the same farm to expand and increase the number of cattle held there to a projected number of 1,719.
Water has been in the news a great deal lately between the terrible situation faced by residents of Flint, Mich., to our own state legislature considering a number of water related bills. Fresh, clean, abundant water has been taken for granted by most of us for a long time, however, it isn’t a limitless resource. I’ve been reading and taking note of similar manure spills in other areas of the state or in neighboring states in recent years and wondering when one would occur closer to our own home. I don’t have to wonder any longer.
We can’t sit on our hands and wait for our own water to be tainted and made unsafe to drink, wash or bathe in while we watch this happen to others. Our current state government leaders have shown their disregard for protecting our natural resources, including and especially water, over the past several years. The mining bill and current water bills have shown that they are not interested in keeping Wisconsin a state with a reputation for clean, clear air and water and a place we can all enjoy living and working.
I’m going to send this letter to my legislative representatives and ask them to make clean water for everyone a priority. The state DNR, like our schools, have been gutted by Gov. Walker and the Republican’s legislature. It’s time for our leaders to once again allow the DNR to do its job and protect our natural resources and environment. Please do the same before your home is the next one to be told to drink bottled water and test your tap water.
Donna Swanson
Platteville
More nuclear power
I wish to bring attention to the lifting of the nuclear moratorium in Wisconsin. On Feb. 16, the state Senate approved bill Assembly Bill 384, which had been passed by the Assembly in January. When Gov. Walker signs the bill into law, the ban (established in 1983) will be ended.
The law allows consideration only of advanced reactor designs approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission after Dec. 31, 2010. And these reactors may only be considered after efficiency measures and renewable energy sources (both noncombustible and combustible).
Nuclear power is our best hope to simultaneously lift the developing world out of poverty and end global warming. Expanding use of nuclear power in Wisconsin would keep more of our money within the state, as we would pay for less coal and natural gas to fire our power plants and keep our industries and economy strong.
Advanced reactors will be both safer and cheaper than current designs. Some will produce waste that will remain highly radioactive for only around 300 years, rather than 10,000 years. Some will run for 30 years on a single load of fuel, rather than two years. And some will be built on assembly lines by the thousands, rather than unique plants taking years to build.
We can all look forward to this bright, new future.
Brent Schwert
Platteville
UWP and Walker
It appears that UW–Platteville will be in a period of retrenchment for many years to come, after enduring cuts of $8.5 million, as reported by Chancellor Dennis Shields Wednesday. Will it still be appropriate to call UWP a university after it can no longer offer courses in foreign language or art?
As Kathy Kopp of the Platteville Regional Chamber pointed out at the forum Wednesday evening, UW–Platteville is a valuable component of the entire community. Gee, too bad we didn’t think of this before we elected Scott Walker as governor. I suspect it will take a generation to recover from the damage he has already done to the state of Wisconsin.
Fritz Domann
Platteville
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The Platteville Journal will print most letters to the editor, regardless of the opinion presented. The Journal reserves the right to edit material that is libelous or otherwise offensive to community standards and to shorten letters The Journal determines are excessively long. All letters must be signed and the signature must appear on the printed letter, along with a contact number or email for verification. Some submitted letters may not be published due to space constraints. “Thank you” letters will not be printed. All letters and columns represent the views of the writers and not necessarily the views of The Platteville Journal.
