Scott Williams, swilliams@wolfrivermedia.com
Contributed Photo A photo from the state inspection report at Matsche Farms shows calves on a concrete lot that regulators say the farm built without permission, which farm representatives deny.
Contributed Photo An aerial image from the state inspection reports shows Matsche Farms on top with yellow arrows indicating the path of runoff that allegedly got into the Embarrass River at the bottom.
Matsche Farms Inc., one of Shawano County’s largest dairy farms, is working to resolve a state regulatory finding that the farm improperly discharged waste into the Embarrass River.
An inspector for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources cited Matsche Farms in May after discovering runoff from the farm near Birnamwood had reached the north branch of the Embarrass River.
Farm representatives say the incident was an accident caused by excessive rainfall, and that they plan to improve stormwater management to prevent it from happening again.
The state inspector issued a notice of violation alleging that Matsche Farms built facilities on the farm without state approval, failed to prevent waste runoff into the river, applied manure near wetlands, and failed to properly record its manure storage capacity, among other problems.
Farm spokeswoman Heather Matsche said the family-run operation is committed to protecting the environment, and nobody expected to see the state issue a long list of alleged violations.
“We were surprised,” Matsche said. “We thought we were cooperating with them.”
Matsche Farms, located at N9035 River Road in the town of Almon, has assured the state Department of Natural Resources that the farm would take temporary corrective measures and then make permanent improvements later this year to address the regulatory issues.
The river discharge and other problems have been reported as Matsche Farms is seeking approval to build a new 1,500-foot-long barn, install another manure storage pit and add 5,000 more cows to a herd currently estimated at 6,600. The expansion would propel Matsche Farms past Green Valley Dairy LLC near Pulaski as the largest dairy farm in Shawano County.
All such farms with more than 1,000 animals are permitted and regulated by the state as “concentrated animal feeding operations,” or CAFOs. There are about 270 such operations in Wisconsin, including seven in Shawano County.
DNR officials have not yet approved the Matsche Farms expansion, although both town and county leaders have endorsed the growth plan.
County Conservation Director Scott Frank said his understanding was that Matsche Farms was working with state regulators in response to the Embarrass River discharge and other alleged violations.
“All of our natural resources are important,” Frank said. “I am pleased that the issues identified are being addressed.”
Members of the county’s land conservation committee voted July 13 to approve a permit for the expansion despite hearing concerns from Matsche Farms neighbors that the large dairy farm could be creating potential public health hazards to water quality and air quality.
Kelly Brien, a neighbor along the Embarrass River, said the state should postpone action on the expansion plan and impose a probationary period in response to the new alleged violations. Brien said she has long been worried that the large dairy farm was a risk to water quality, wildlife and property values.
Of the DNR violations, she said: “It’s just unacceptable. Don’t keep rewarding them for breaking the rules.”
Matsche Farms representatives said part of the problem is that state regulators are raising objections over facility designs and operations that were previously implemented with the state’s approval. Staff turnover at the DNR also has led to a new approach toward the farm, they said.
“They changed the rules,” farm owner Scott Matsche said.
In a response dated July 10 to the notice of violations, Matsche Farms reports installing a temporary sump pump and gutters to help control stormwater, as well as installing curbs to contain manure on concrete lots, and improving a system for preventing runoff from stockpiles of livestock feed.
The farm also agreed to September and October deadlines for submitting plans to the DNR for permanent upgrades.
Karl Roovers, environmental enforcement specialist for the DNR, said officials have been pleased so far that Matsche Farms has shown a willingness to address problems found in the inspection. Whether the situation affects the farm’s expansion plan, Roovers said, will be up to the DNR staffers who are reviewing the expansion and keeping an eye on the current enforcement effort.
“It all kind of adds up,” Roovers said. “They need to believe the facility’s in significant compliance.”