Choice between agriculture and clean water false
By Nick Levendofsky
In a state as abundant in water as Wisconsin, it’s easy to take for granted, the rich groundwater resources running below our feet. Our Great Lakes contain 20 percent of the world’s fresh surface water, and there is more than enough water available for drinking, recreation, wildlife and business.
However, growing concerns over the public health, and ecological impacts of agricultural and industrial pollutants in our water, means we must re-evaluate how we manage water resources in Wisconsin.
Unfortunately, the Wisconsin DNR recently announced it is abandoning efforts to develop regulations that would reduce nitrate pollution in drinking water, claiming “the statutory process and associated firm timelines established by the Legislature for rule-making, do not allow adequate time for the department to complete this proposed rule.”
In 2020, the Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) participated in a series of NR-151 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings, to address the issue in a way that took agricultural, environmental and public health concerns into consideration.
Although certainly not the sole factor, we must acknowledge that agricultural runoff is a contributor to water pollution in this state. Many farmers are aware of this fact and are actively working to address it, through improved conservation practices and collaborative educational efforts, such as farmer-led watershed councils.
The WFU recognizes a need to safeguard our resources, as Wisconsin has over 1,500 impaired waterways and many private wells in Wisconsin, which do not meet safe drinking water standards, because of excess bacteria or nitrates.
Excess nutrients in surface water cause toxic algae blooms, which threaten humans and wildlife, and destroy the tourism and recreation industries.
“If we continue to do what we have always done and expect different results, we are doomed to fail,” said farmer and WFU vice president Rick Adamski. “We must realize the place where we are today, is due to actions of the past.
Nitrogen fertilizers reduce the organic matter content in the soil, which in turn increases the need for more fertilizer. The rising price for these fertilizers is inevitable and the concentration of ownership of these fertilizer manufacturers allows no limit to the price increases.
The best possible future for farmers rests with strategies to reduce this dependency.
The WFU’s member-driven, grassroots policy aligns closely with the work and recommendations of the TAC. Our members support efforts to preserve the quality of all waters in Wisconsin. Furthermore, we support changes to NR-151 that will restrict manure and other waste application rates, and the spreading of these materials on frozen soils in areas of the state deemed to be sensitive.
These sensitive areas would include places with shallow soil depth above Karst bedrock, areas with sandy soils or those where groundwater quality standards are not met.
For too long, we have been presented with a false choice, between agriculture and clean water. The WFU believes it is possible to have clean water, thriving family farms and vibrant rural economies, and that farmers can be champions in this effort for ourselves, our environment and future generations.
We continue to challenge those who care about water quality in this state, to follow the recommendations set forth by the advisory committee and to recommit to protecting water for the future.
Levendofsky is the government relations director for the Wisconsin Farmers Union, a grassroots membership organization that is committed to enhancing the quality of life for family farmers, rural communities and all people, through education, cooperation, and civic engagement.
