Agribusiness Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations

Wisconsin’s agriculture businesses contribute more than $88.3 billion to our economy. Agribusinesses, however, have potential for discharging pollutants to Wisconsin’s waterways. Therefore, every Wisconsin farm, regardless of size, is responsible for meeting performance standards and prohibitions to prevent polluting lakes, rivers, wetlands or groundwater. The state regulates waste storage structures and manure application at large farms as CAFOs (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) under the U.S. EPA Clean Water Act’s pollutant discharge permit program (known in Wisconsin as WPDES).

Help spread the word,
download the RRAF poster.

• 8.5 x 11 in. poster

14-day public notice for substantial NMP revisions

Beginning April 1, 2015, substantial revisions to a CAFO’s nutrient management plan (NMP) are required to be public noticed and must be posted for a 14-day public notice period.

These substantial revisions include new fields, winter spreading plans, installation or identification of tile lines or features, and other changes that have the potential to increase the risk of nitrogen or phosphorus transport to navigable water.

• Public comments on a substantial changes to nutrient management plans can be submitted via water public notices. Select “livestock public notice” to view the proposed revisions and provide comments.
• You can also view other permit information by visiting Water permit applications.
• 3800-2014-01 DNR guidance on public notice of modifications to an NMP [PDF]

Contact information

Agricultural runoff management staff