Report: Backer of Saratoga CAFO Tied to Tainted Water Wells

Citizens groups in Wood County Wisconsin and
surrounding region oppose CAFOs and
aerial liquid manure spraying. 
Photo by Martha Karris of
Rome and Saratoga-Friendly
in Wisconsin (Facebook)

Jonathan Anderson of Gannett Co news is breaking an important story reporting the owner of a proposed 5,300-head, industrialized dairy farm in southern Wood County "is coming under fire after heavily contaminated groundwater was found at another farm owned by the same company."

Reports Anderson:

'We think it’s important that the public be aware that the concerns that we’re raising are not just theoretical,' said Madison attorney Paul Kent, who represents the town of Saratoga, where the proposed mega-farm would be located. The town is opposing the farm, Kent said, at least until the company can provide assurances that groundwater will not be adversely affected.

The owner is the Wysocki Family of Companies (through two LLCs which insulate Wysocki from liability of the expected pollution and contamination if the factory farm were to begin operation).

The proposed massive CAFO (Concentrated (Confined) Agricultural Feeding Operation) is called the Golden Sands Dairy and is widely opposed, and threatens a wold class golf resort in northern Adams county in a region looking for recreational and tourism investments.

Scott Walker, and the Republican-led Wisconsin Department of Justice have "sidelined the DNR and now puts business uses of water above ordinary residential and recreational priorities, and these regulatory changes are being embedded in the law."

Scott Walker has been shameless is coordinating contributions from polluters who have shelled out massive campaign donations in return for "scaled back enforcement actions by the state Department of Natural Resources."

Notes Anderson, "The Wysocki Family of Companies did not respond to a request for comment as of press time."