To the editor and Pierce County Board of Supervisors,

Recently at a Land Conservation Committee meeting, members heard concerns from the public regarding a large scale CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation) in Pierce County potentially increasing dairy cow numbers up to 5,000. The purpose of this letter is to assist you in being informed on the history of Breeze Dairy Management obtained through a public records request with the WDNR. The request reviewed information for the past 10 years, the allowable amount of time by the WDNR.

1. 14, 2016, Waushara County: Notice of Violation/Enforcement conference. An estimated 15,000 gallons of manure (reported by Pine Breeze Dairy) overflowed into a wetland complex.
2. May 16, 2017, Waushara County: Notice of Violation/Enforcement conference. An estimated 100,000 gallons of manure (reported by WDNR staff) was released to the environment and waters of the state.
3. July 17, 2017, Langlade County: Notice of Violation/Enforcement conference. Nitrate level exceedance for a non-transient community water system.
4. 18, 2018, Waushara County summons, complaint, stipulation and order for judgment from the Wisconsin Department of Justice
5. July 3, 2018, Langlade County: Notice of Violation/Enforcement conference: Nitrate level exceedance for a non-transient community water system.
6. 10, 2023, Pierce County: Complaint – open burning of solid waste.

The WDNR makes every attempt to resolve cases at the minimum enforcement level and avoid referral and prosecution by the Department of Justice. For example, the Waste Program (Solid & Hazardous Waste) typically responds to 400-500 complaints per year. Only the most egregious cases (similar to the above mentioned notices of violation) are managed by the Environmental Enforcement Program, which administers and refers on to the Department of Justice for further enforcement.

In 2021, the WDNR issued 87 notices of violation and referred 38 cases onto the Department of Justice. In 2022, 157 notices of violation were issued with 28 cases moving onto the Department of Justice.

Hopefully the information provided will assist you with making informed decisions, one way or another, regarding any potential expansion of the facility within Pierce County. Documentation supporting the above history has been provided to the County Clerk and can be obtained from their office.

Troy Gansluckner (former WDNR employee)

Maiden Rock