Regulations
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CAFOs, water permits and NR 243
Compliance with Wisconsin’s agricultural standards and prohibitions is required of all cropland and livestock operations in the state, regardless of size. Reducing or preventing manure or process wastewater pollution from agricultural operations…
- Webpage
CAFO and CAFO WPDES permit statistics
Wisconsin is home to an increasing number of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). The Department of Natural Resources is pleased to offer you easy access to statistics and geographical information about Wisconsin's CAFOs and the…
- Webpage
Publications and resources for CAFOs and other agriculture operations
There are many resources for farmers and other agricultural operators that provide information and guidance about farming and the environment. In addition to the Department of Natural Resources, resources are available from other Wisconsin state…
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Plans & specifications for reviewable structures & systems
At least 90 days before beginning construction, existing or proposed Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO) must submit plans and specifications for reviewable construction projects to the DNR for approval. DNR approval of these reviewable…
- Webpage
WPDES permit application materials, instructions, reporting & compliance documents
View required application materials if you are a proposed Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) applying for the first time for a WPDES permit or you are an existing CAFO applying for a renewal of your WPDES permit.
- Webpage
Nutrient management planning
A Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Water Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit requires a field-specific, phosphorus-based [PDF] nutrient management plan (NMP) that outlines the amounts, timing, locations, methods and…
- Webpage
Manure spills response, planning and prevention
Get help immediately if runoff or a spill occurs! Report manure spills immediately! Call our 24-hour spill emergency hotline: 1-800-943-0003. All agricultural or livestock operations, regardless of size, must report manure spills or runoff that…
- Webpage
First-time CAFO WPDES permit applications
If your operation has 1,000 animal units (AU), your operation is a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) and you must obtain a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit (WPDES) from the Department of Natural Resources.
- Webpage
Concentrated animal feeding operations WPDES permits
What is an “animal unit”? “Animal units” (AU) measure equivalencies between animal types as established by s. NR 243.05, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR] and the CAFO WPDES permit program. For example, 1,000 beef cattle, 715 milking cows or 200,000…
- Webpage
Trapping Regulations
The river otter trapping season in the Northern Zone will close early, effective April 1, 2024, at midnight. No river otters can be harvested on or after April 1. Registration can still occur on April 1, so long as the harvest occurred the prior…