Key vote in Martell
TO THE EDITOR:
Jan. 31 may be a historic day in Martell. We hope it will be the day that we, the people of Martell, vote to let our town board set up regulations for large CAFOs (Confined Animal Feedlot Operations).If you have any concerns that large feedlots may be built by your home or that of friends or family, if you are concerned about the smaller family farm, if you are concerned about the future of Martell's groundwater, if you are concerned about the Rush River, if you would like to maintain the harmony of our lovely town, please vote YES at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Martell Town Hall. This will be a paper ballot vote on whether our town board should institute a temporary one-year moratorium on CAFOs to allow them time to set up an impartial seven-person committee to study the issue and come up with recommendations for fair and comprehensive zoning laws that apply only to CAFOs. These recommendations would then be subject to approval of the voters. This is not zoning for anything but large confined animal feedlot operations. We would continue to be under county zoning for everything else just as we are now. Our town needs to be protected. Industrial farming is growing dramatically. St. Croix County already has six large CAFO dairies. Pierce County is a logical future target because it has less housing development and fewer regulations. Industrial operations target places with the weakest regulations. According to EPA maps, our area is in the top 8.6% of watersheds in the nation most vulnerable to groundwater contaminations. We should keep in mind that we could be liable for possible lawsuits, fines and cleanup costs if we fail to put reasonable protections in place. A well-written law done with legal counsel should greatly limit lawsuit potential in the long run. Further, Wisconsin has passed the "Smart Growth" law which requires towns, villages, cities, etc., to plan how the land will be used. It has set aside $3.5 million that the town of Martell can apply for as it creates committees to study the issues. Don't be bullied by empty threats from those favoring large CAFOs. Also, watch out for ringers at the meeting, only Martell residents are eligible to vote. If you are a Martell resident, please come and vote.
Dan Knutson
Beldenville
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