Contested Case Hearing For Farmer License Exemption Eligibility For Grant McDonough
Start Date: 03/19/2026
End Date: 03/19/2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. - End of Agenda
Location: Marathon County Public Library Central Library, 300 First St.
Division of Hearings and Appeals, 608-266-7709
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the State of Wisconsin Division of Hearings and Appeals will hold a contested case hearing on the above-captioned matter pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 227.44, Wis. Admin. Code § NR 2.13 and Wis. Admin. Code § HA 1.12 at the Wausau Headquarters of the Marathon County Public Library 300 N. First St., Wausau, Wis. in the Wausau Community Room commencing at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026. Administrative Law Judge Benjamin Jones shall preside.
The hearing in this matter concerns the Farmer License Exemption under Wis. Stat. § 281.48(3)(d), which had previously been issued to Grant McDonough before it was terminated by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in an Oct. 18, 2024, letter. The issue for hearing was identified in the DNR’s letter to Mr. McDonough dated Dec. 3, 2025. The sole issue for hearing is:
Does Mr. McDonough qualify for the Farmer License Exemption under s. 281.48(3)(d), Wis. Stat., because his holding tank meets the definition of “septic tank” under s. 281.48(2)(e), Wis. Stat.?
Members of the public desiring to participate in this hearing pursuant to Wis. Admin. Code § NR 2.08 will be allowed the opportunity to do so at the beginning hearing. Such interested persons must enter an appearance either prior to or at the commencement of the contested case hearing. Public comments may be limited in scope to the issue for hearing and limited to five minutes or less to accommodate all interested persons. Information about the hearing can be requested from Susan Burns at 608-266-3865. Please monitor the DNR website for updates.
The hearing is a Class 2 contested case pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 227.01(3)(a), and the provisions of Wis. Stat. ch. 227 will apply. The procedures relating to contested cases set forth in Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 2 will be followed. Said procedures will closely resemble those that are normally followed at a trial in State circuit court. All parties are advised that they have the right to seek the aid and assistance of legal counsel and to be represented by legal counsel at the contested case hearing.
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations will be made to any qualified individual upon request. Please contact the undersigned Administrative Law Judge at Benjamin.Jones1@wisconsin.gov or 608-266-2447 with specific information on your request on or before March 1, 2026.
