Procedural Guide: Oconto County Response to Manure...

Procedural Guide: Oconto County Response to Manure Events Oconto County Land Conservation Department Adopted 2006/Updated 2014

Oconto County Manure Event Procedures Guide 1

Oconto County Land Conservation Department 111 Arbutus Avenue

Oconto, WI 54153 Phone: (920) 834- 7150

Fax: (920) 834-6406 [email protected]

Original Document Adopted 2006 Revised, Updated and Adopted 2014

LAND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE - 2014 DENNIS KROLL - CHAIR

LOWELL (BUZZ) KAMKE- VICE CHAIR

DICK GILLES – FARM SERVICE AGENCY CHAIRMAN

CHARLES (BILL) GRADY

MARY LEMMEN

DARREL PAGEL

KEN DOLATA – COUNTY CONSERVATIONIST

JEFF MAROSZEK-NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION SERVICE DISTRICT CONSERVATIONIST


PREFACE

This guide has been developed in response to actions taken during the development of the Oconto County Land and Water Resource Management Plan adopted in 2003, and in part to the events in nearby counties regarding manure spills and local groundwater contamination concerns. An Adhoc group of county department heads, technicians, and University of Wisconsin-Extension educators met in a collaborative process to define possible steps addressing a number of likely scenarios regarding manure events and actual or perceived water resource contamination.

The result of the Adhoc group’s collaborative efforts is this guide which was developed upon ideas generated and discussions held. This guide is a continual ‘work in progress’, designed to give local leaders and their respective Oconto County staff and state collaborators a reference to help focus efforts made in responding to a manure event. This document is not all inclusive, yet the recommendations and tools outlined provide an invaluable starting point in our efforts of giving a timely response to a potentially catastrophic situation.

We encourage the users of this guide to provide feedback and comments. Please direct these comments to the Land Conservation Department located at 111 Arbutus Avenue Oconto, WI 54153. Phone: (920) 834-5688 Ext 8. Fax: (920) 834-6826 or to Oconto County University of Wisconsin-Extension at Phone: (920) 834-6845. Fax (920) 834-6853.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In the development of this guide, numerous resources were reviewed and information was obtained from state agencies and nearby counties to help in the formulation of an overall framework or strategy to focus our efforts. Though it is impossible to list all the specific individuals involved, we would like to acknowledge the overall importance of key departments and agencies in this effort. The vast experiences of Oconto County staff include: the Land Conservation Division, University of Wisconsin-Extension, Health Department, and Emergency Management. Because of their knowledge and expertise, specific local procedures were developed. Most importantly, this guide would not have been possible without the support of the Oconto County Land Conservation Committee in addition to the Oconto County Board.


ADHOC COMMITTEE - 2006

TOM MILHEISER – COUNTY CONSERVATIONIST

KEN DOLATA – CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN

CHAD TRUDELL– CONSERVATION TECHNICIAN

DALE MOHR – UW-EXTENSION COMMUNITY RESOURCE EDUCATOR

DEBRA KONITZER – HEALTH OFFICER

PATRICK LEBRECK – EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR

LISA MAHONEY– PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS COORDINATOR

LAND CONSERVATION SUB-COMMITTEE - 2006 BUZZ KAMKE - CHAIR

CHARLES (BILL) GRADY - VICE CHAIR

RONALD HANEK

DOUG DOROW

DENNIS KROLL

DOUG ALLEN

DOCUMENT COMPILED & REVIEWED BY

SARAH MILLS-LLOYD – DOCUMENT DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT & EDITOR Agriculture Agent—Specializing in Dairy and Livestock – University of Wisconsin-Extension, Oconto County

DALE MOHR – DOCUMENT DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

Community, Natural Resources & Economic Development Educator – University of Wisconsin-Extension, Oconto County

KEVIN ERB – REVIEWER

Conservation Professional Development and Training Coordinator UW Extension Environmental Resources Center

JASON MOELLER – REVIEWER

WDNR Regional Spills Coordinator/Hydro Geologist


TABLE OF CONTENTS ______ PAGE

INTRODUCTION………………………………………..………………..….....……5 MANURE EVENT EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST………….………………….…8 911 DISPATCH CONTACT CHART 911 MANURE EMERGENCY FLOW CHART

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES LIST……………………………………….…10 ADMINISTRATION EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION LAND CONSERVATION DIVISION HEALTH DEPARTMENT UW-EXTENSION WI-DNR HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT LAW ENFORCEMENT TOWN OFFICIALS

TIPS FOR INTERACTING WITH THE MEDIA………………….…………….…11 FOUR CRITICAL TIPS

MEDIA TELEVISION

NEWSPAPER RADIO SOCIAL MEDIA INTERACTING WITH REPORTERS

RESPONSE PROCEDURES………………...…………………………...……...…15

LCD RESPONSE PROCEDURES DIAGRAM LCD MANURE EVENT RESPONSE BRIEF

STORAGE FACILITY FAILURE SMALL SCALE EVENT WITH ACCESS TO SURFACE WATER SMALL ISOLATED EVENT WITH NO ACCESS TO SURFACE WATER

ADOPTION RESOLUTION…………………………………………………....……18


INTRODUCTION

The mission and the program description of the Land Conservation Department (LCD) implies the Department will do all that is within their power to provide a valuable resource to the people of Oconto County by protecting water resources and the residents use of this resource. Therefore, manure storage and proper handling is a large part of the LCD efforts. The LCD has the responsibility to act in the event a ‘manure spill’ occurs or when residents perceive a groundwater threat via land spreading of manure.

The LCD also has a responsibility to act to address a manure event leading to the contamination of local wells. While preparing the 2003 Oconto County Land and Water Resource Management Plan (OCLWRM), a Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) was convened. The CAC provided local insight and guidance to the process of preparing a written document addressing Oconto County’s land and water resources. According to the CAC, ground water and surface water protection was the most vitally important aspect for the county and its residents. Soon after the adoption of the OCLWRM plan in 2003, a number of major manure spills, containment failures and reports of negligent land spreading events transpired across Northeast Wisconsin. In the adjacent county of Brown, local residents were seen on the nightly news stating their fears of possible groundwater contamination and the possible contamination of their wells. They also mentioned their fears of possible health effects on themselves and their families. In nearby Kewaunee County, a large dairy producer was being prosecuted for discharging into an area stream while conservationists were bringing lawsuits against them.

"In this world you've just got to hope for the best and prepare for the worst and take whatever God sends."

- Lucy Maud Montgomery

Administer funds and technical assistance on Best Management Practices available for cost-share through the Pensaukee River Priority Watershed Program, Soil & Water Resource Management Grant, and Oconto County Cost-Share Program. Administer technical assistance with abatement and damage claims in the Wisconsin Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Provide, to the extent available, technical advice to landowners and agricultural operators for the planning, designing and installation of facilities and practices required under the Animal Waste Management Ordinance to protect surface and ground water quality. Provide, to the extend available, technical advice to landowners and assist in securing any available funding to install practices and reach objectives identified in the County Land and Water Resource Management Plan. Provide, to the extent available, technical advice to landowners in any matters of general natural resource management to protect and preserve the environment that is Oconto County. – Program Description

The mission of the Oconto Land Conservation Department is to serve landowners of Oconto County to manage, protect, and improve land and water resources through cooperation with Federal, State, and private agencies, and secure funding to provide technical and monetary assistance to achieve sound environmental practices to permanently benefit our land and water resources.

– Mission Statement

http://www.litquotes.com/quote_author_resp.php?AName=Lucy%20Maud%20Montgomery


In light of these high profile events, the Oconto LCD asked itself how it would face such situations and what roles it would play in the event these scenarios arose in Oconto County. The LCD knew even though Oconto County had dissimilar geography when compared to neighboring counties experiencing well problems and spills, Oconto County could be faced with more localized events. Additionally, local landowners adjacent to dairy operations have in the past perceived/witnessed spreading violations and have feared their wells could become contaminated. In either case, the LCD determined it was in the best interest of Oconto County and its residents to take a lead role in defining and implementing a county manure event response plan. The end result was the Procedural Guide which addresses the protection of Oconto County’s land and water resources.

A collaborative approach of select county departments was used to address the protection of Oconto County’s land and water resources. This collaboration became known as an Adhoc group whose focus was on seeking the development of policies/procedures regarding our local response to events related to a manure event. Our collaborative approach was to share ideas and equally shoulder the responsibility in seeing the development and implementation of the guide. During the informal meetings, decisions were made on actions needing to be taken to move the process along. Individuals were identified having the responsibility to complete the actions at each meeting. In addition, timelines were tentatively set to keep the process moving forward. The increasing potential of a manure event within the county drove the Adhoc group to produce the guide in a relatively short period of time. With fall and winter soon arriving, it was imperative in having the necessary tools in place which would streamline a manure response if deemed urgent/necessary.

In the end, the Adhoc group never established any formal agenda as the meetings were product/action based and correspondence was via telephone and/or email. Collaboration on this level brought together some county departments for the

Collaboration as a process, demonstrates the potential to re-energize and reconnect fragmented systems and to empower participating actors. More specifically, collaboration is used in response to a complex problem facing the county with multiple interrelated causes and effects. To adequately diagnose the problem and mobilize key resources to respond requires multiple sources of knowledge and invention. Accurate diagnosis involves integrating specialized knowledge and skills with local knowledge. – Evaluating Collaboratives, Reaching the Potential by Ellen Taylor-Powell 1998,

Program & Evaluation Specialist with UW-Extension.

DNR finds source of another Fischer Creek manure spill

Latest incident traced back to Maple Leaf Dairy

By Kristopher Wenn Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — Department of Natural

Resources field staff traced a manure spill that

fed into Fischer Creek to operations at Maple

Leaf Dairy, 3 miles north of Cleveland, a DNR official said Friday.

The spill occurred on Wednesday at a tributary

that discharges into Fischer Creek, just west of

Interstate 43 in the town of Centerville, the DNR

Posted March 31, 2006

Manure spill cases move to Justice Department

From staff reports

MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has referred Maple Leaf Dairy Inc., 6832 County Trunk X, Cleveland, to the state Department of Justice for alleged manure spills into Fischer Creek, a Lake Michigan tributary, last September and October.

In a letter released today, the DNR alleges Maple Leaf Dairy violated its wastewater discharge permit and the state’s hazardous substance spill management laws at its facility. According to the letter, the alleged violations are “failure to properly store manure, to properly operate and maintain all facilities, to notify of a hazardous substance discharge, to minimize the effects of manure to the environment, to prevent impacts to surface water, to prevent ponding, and to mitigate adverse impacts to the waters.” If found guilty of the allegations, Maple Leaf Dairy, one of the largest farm operations in Wisconsin, could face


first time—even departments which do not normally associate with another—were conversing on a common topic. An increased awareness and understanding of different Department’s roles was obtained with an appreciation of the scope of the magnitude related to a manure response. No person(s) entering into this process understood the complexity of the solution regarding the many agencies and individuals needed to participate in the process nor did anyone have a true understanding of how they should all come together and who would take charge. In an attempt to strengthen what was developed, it will be our intent to forward this document from time to time to outside agencies and experts for their review and comment as well as to share our work with them.

MANURE EVENT EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST In the event someone perceives a manure event took place, they will need to

quickly report it to the appropriate agency. What agency should be contacted first, and how can they be contacted? Chances are the public will use the 911 system within the county to report the manure event. This process guide determined the 911 dispatchers within the county sheriffs department should be instructed on how to handle a call regarding such situations. A process guide did not previously exist. LCD staff live locally so, the Adhoc group determined it would be best if the LCD staff would be notified first in order to determine the severity and the legitimacy of the concern. The 2006 Manure Event Emergency Contact List is a line & block chart describing the information to be obtained by the 911 dispatcher and the number and name of the appropriate person(s) to be called. In addition, the Manure Event Emergency Contact List was also updated in 2014 to include an easy to follow flow chart. The list has home numbers as well as personal cell phone numbers in case the event happens after normal county working hours. This chart will be routinely monitored by the LCD for accuracy in the information provided. UW-Extension will provide document editing/design support to LCD and assist in training County Departments on this document as well as their roles and responsibilities during a manure spill/event.


MANURE EVENT OCONTO COUNTY EMERGENCY CONTACT LIST

-2014-

FOR MANURE“SPILL”

Emergencies other than a Road Spill

Weekend, Evening & Holiday Hours

During Normal Working Hours 8am – 4:30pm

Call:

#1 Land Conservation Department (Office)

1-920-834-7150

Ask for:

Ken Dolata

Chad Trudell

or Travis Buckley

911 Dispatcher please obtain the

following information from caller:

1. Caller’s Name & Phone number;

2. Property owner & address of land

where event occurred;

3. Determine the Situation… ASK:

(Is this a Manure Spill or are they reporting

a Manure Spreading Concern?)

Then Call:

#1) Ken Dolata 373-7192 (Cell)

#2) Chad Trudell 604-0821 (Cell)

#3) Travis Buckley 604-3297 (Cell)

Contact Only if Necessary:

#1) WDNR Spill Reporting Hotline 1-800-943-0003

#2) Beth Erdman-WDNR Northeast Region 920-362-2072 Cell 920- 373-5410

#3) Lee Postusta-WDNR Warden 1-715-850-1818

#2 Emergency Management Director (Cell)

1-920-373-4607

Ask for:

Tim Magnin


KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The chart listed below is an aid to help county staff appropriately answer questions regarding a manure event in Oconto County. The list was developed to identify the agency or individual with expertise best suited to answer specific questions.

It is important to remember that we are not all experts on every subject and therefore, we need to stay in “our lane of expertise” when dealing with the public and the media. For questions beyond our area of expertise, we are to refer individuals to the County Administrator’s Office which can recommend an expert in that field or refer the public and/or reporter to information contained within the following contact list.

KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES LIST…

ADMINISTRATION – LEGAL MATTERS, POLITICAL ISSUES, OFFICIAL COMMENTS OF OCONTO COUNTY CONTACT # 920-834-6805 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT – FEDERAL/STATE/COUNTY/INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENTS, LOCALLY

ADOPTED EMERGENCY PLANS. CONTACT # 920-834-6805 LAND CONSERVATION DIVISION LCD -TECHNICAL CONCERNS REGARDING MANURE SPREADING, MANURE

STORAGE, COUNTY REQUIREMENTS ON SAFE HANDLING OF MANURE, EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO MANURE

EVENT, QUICK RESPONSE -SHORT TERM. CONTACT # 920-834-5688 EXT 8. HEALTH DEPARTMENT – HEALTH ISSUES, WATER CONTAMINATION RESPONSE, WATER TESTING FOR

CONTAMINATION OF BACTERIA AND NITRATES. CONTACT # 920-834-7000 UW-EXTENSION – EDUCATIONAL ROLE ON PROPER HANDLING OF CONTAMINATED WELL WATER, INFORMATION RESOURCE ON LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES EFFECTING GROUNDWATER, ASSIST IN

TESTING PRIVATE WELLS FOR BACTERIA AND NITRATES. CONTACT # 920-834-6846 WI/DNR – NATURAL RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS, FINES/COSTS FOR CLEANUP, STATE REGULATIONS ON

SPREADING, EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO MANURE EVENT - LONG TERM. CONTACT # 1-800-943-0003 HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT – ROAD MAINTENANCE AND CLEAN UP. CONTACT # 920-834-6887 SHERIFF'S OFFICE - LAW ENFORCEMENT, TRAFFIC CIRCULATION CONCERNS. CONTACT # 920-834-6900 TOWN OFFICIALS – LOCAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE EVENT, PROVIDE LOCAL LEADERSHIP AND ASSIST IN

INFORMATION DISSEMINATION. CONTACT # (CONTACT THE COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE AT 920-834-6805 FOR TOWN OFFICIALS INFO.)

NO

STEP 1 Move to Step 2


FOUR ‘CRITICAL TIPS’ IN INTERACTING WITH THE MEDIA DURING A

CRISIS! When a crisis happens, the media can be a useful tool for disseminating

accurate and timely information. Corresponding with the media in good times or when things are more challenging can be frustrating. However with proper planning, interacting with the media can yield positive results. The procedure manual has defined this section as providing valuable tips in working with the different media types. Therefore, it is recommended individuals review the following tips on how to interact with the media before they actually do.

In addition, review the differences between the mass media outlets to help you tailor your responses to achieve the greatest impact.

1. Coordinate Press Coverage: A central office should always be aware of

what information is being released.

2. Shoot Straight: Good news or bad… let the media know what is

happening.

3. Never Speculate: Release only the information you know is accurate.

4. Stay Calm: The more calm you appear, the quicker people will realize

everything is under control.

**READ ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MEDIA OUTLETS & HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN INTERVIEW

IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES.


UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT ROLES BETWEEN … TELEVISION, RADIO, NEWSPAPER & SOCIAL MEDIA:

Television, radio and newspaper reporters are not looking for the same thing

when they are covering a story. Each media outlet needs differing levels of

information and meeting those needs can save you—and them—a lot of time and frustration.

NEWSPAPER:

Here is the spot for detail. They want it all, and the history.

1. Most newspaper reporters want details.

2. Be prepared to give them details.

3. Here is your chance to get the whole story out.

4. Have all documents you need on hand – statistics, memos and timelines.

RADIO:

1. Radio reporters are looking for good sound. If you really want to get a good story placement on

radio, be prepared to suggest good ideas for natural sound.

2. Radio reporters are also looking for short, to-the-point sound bites. Once again, you have got

to speak in short bites when doing radio interview.

3. Radio reporters are not particularly interested in lots of detail. Remember the average radio

reporter who calls you is probably doing eight stories in a day.

4. They do not have the ability to work on any one story for days at a time.

TELEVISION:

1. Television reporters are always looking for good visuals. If you really

want to get a good story high in a newscast, then be prepared to suggest some good visuals.

2. Television reporters are also looking for short, to-the-point sound bites. You will rarely see a

person speaking for more than 9 to 10 seconds during a television story.

3. Remember this when you talk to reporters; speak in sound bites.

4. Spare the detail. Most stories are never going to run more than a minute and thirty seconds.

Television reporters are not looking for hours of detail. They get frustrated when you insist on

giving them minute details, and you get frustrated when you spend two hours being

interviewed and show up as a 10-second talking head on the six o’clock news.


Social media is a new technology that allows for another channel of broadcasting information to the public. Increasingly the public is turning to social media technologies to obtain up-to-date information during emergencies and to share data about the disaster in the form of geospatial data, text, pictures, video, or a combination of these media.

Using social networks to communicate emergency, safety and preparedness information has now, in 2014, become a standard operating procedure. Social media can allow for greater situational awareness for emergency management and response organizations and it affords opportunities to engage in an effective conversation with stakeholders. In spite of the benefits, it also holds many challenges for emergency managers. As with any standard procedure, each event can provide an opportunity to understand how to improve and adjust.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

1. Know your audience. If you do not know who your audience is, how will you ever connect with

them? You have to go beyond demographic statistics to have a better understanding of your

audience’s interests, needs, mindsets and behaviors to truly make a connection and become

an important part of their lives.

2. Provide value. Your content must provide some type of educational value to your audience.

You want individuals to remember your information when they need to make a decision.

3. Mobile ready timely content. Your audience wants up-to-date information in a timely fashion.

Situations rapidly change, and people will be looking for information anywhere they can get it.

It is important to keep in mind that there is a high likelihood that those searches will be

occurring on a mobile device. According to the Pew Research Center, “the growing ubiquity of

cell phones, especially the rise of smartphones, has made social networking just a finger tap

away. Fully 40% of cell phone owners use a social networking site on their phone, and 28%

do so on a typical day.” When posting content, make sure the user does not have to go to

another site to get the information.

4. Use Images. Most people are visual learners, and a picture may do more justice for the story

rather than only written words

5. Be honest. Keep to the facts by providing correct information and stating your sources.

http://www.pewinternet.org/fact-sheets/social-networking-fact-sheet/


INTERACTING WITH REPORTER(S) GUIDELINE

Preparing for the interview: First, get the reporter’s name and affiliation. If the request is reasonable, cooperate fully. Consider the topic carefully and collect your material. Then define the three most important points you wish to get across. (You may wish to make fewer than three key points, but more than three is probably too much information for people to process and remember.) Anticipate difficult questions including those you least want to be asked and develop answers that clearly express your three key points.

Answering their questions: 1. Avoid long-winded explanations. Be clear, concise, simple and direct. Rely on facts and

figures rather than vague generalizations. You are the primary source - you may refer the journalist to additional background material, but do your best to explain the subject in simple terms first.

2. Technical language should be avoided. If the reporter looks confused, explain it again in a different way. Ask the reporter if they understand. Formulate your responses for the general public - your real audience.

3. Do not let reporters put words in your mouth. Listen carefully before agreeing when a reporter says, “So, in other words….”. Take the time to correct false or misleading impressions, and use the opportunity to restate your points that you want to get across.

4. Remain calm and pleasant, especially when faced with a rare hostile interviewer (or even one who is just confused).

5. Do not make ‘off-the-record’ comments. Nothing is truly off the record in today’s world. 6. With breaking news stories, you may be called upon for comment by a number of media

outlets. If you speak to one, you have an obligation to speak to all reporters who call on that topic. Playing favorites can lead to negative media relationships for both you and the county.

7. However, if a reporter calls you first and there is an agreement that he or she is working on an exclusive story, you have an obligation not to reveal that information to other media outlets.

8. Tell the truth. If you do not know the answer, say so. Do not guess. 9. Never say, “No comment.” Instead, say "I cannot speculate on that matter," or “I would really

like to answer that but I am not able to because ……e.g. I do not have that information”, or “ I cannot speak about confidential matters until I consult with a number of colleagues”, or “I’m not able to talk about that at this time, however, I can tell you about …. “ (then deliver your key messages again).

10. Stall… if necessary. If at first you are unsure about how to respond, ask the reporter to repeat the question. This gives you time to reframe the question and to formulate your response.

11. Stay in your “Lane of Expertise.” Normally, you will only be expected to comment on matters within your field of expertise. If the questioning begins to stray, gently remind the reporter of your subject area. Refer the reporter to other sources—see Contact information within this guide). If the line of questioning persists, politely end the interview.

12. Ask the reporter a question or two as you near the end of the interview. Use the responses to help gauge the reporter’s level of understanding. If you are still unsure, offer to follow up by faxing a printed document outlining your main points and any background statistics.


LAND CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT RESPONSE PROCEDURES DIAGRAM

The following is an abbreviated response to (4) four types of manure events. This section provides detailed steps in responding to each of the four events. The reader should note that a comprehensive response is detailed further within a document titled Oconto County Land Conservation Division Manure Event Response Technical Guide adopted in 2003.

In each of the four instances, it was identified by the Adhoc Committee the county would best be served by establishing a procedure that would assure neighboring property owners their wells would be monitored to identify any contamination as a result of the manure event. Additionally, neighbors would receive educational information on how to ‘prepare’ their water for appropriate consumption along with any other pertinent health advisories.

It was identified a benchmark well test would be established on each of the neighboring properties—within a quarter mile and/or area specified by LCD/WDNR staff. These wells would have a water sample drawn and tested for nitrates and bacteria (at the UW-Stevens Point Laboratory or another certified laboratory). Then, a second water sample would be taken from the same well approximately two weeks after the initial sample. The Health Department and UW-Extension Staff would assist in providing proper sampling, or procuring the well water samples. Because even perceived contamination of wells can cause owner anxiety, the county’s detailed steps of well sampling provides confidence to well owners the county cares about them and the safety of their well water.

Incident reported to Land

Conservation

Division

(A) Storage facility failure

(C) Small scale

event with access to

surface water

(D) Small scale

event isolated from

surface water

Coordinate cleanup and

monitor situation

Contact DNR and coordinate

cleanup

Contact DNR and contractors to

coordinate

cleanup

Test wells within

spill vicinity**

**In each of the manure events, well testing may be conducted in order to alleviate well contamination fears.

(B) Large scale

event


It is the intent of the LCD, Health Department and UW-Extension to be proactive in testing wells to help alleviate people’s fears and to identify contaminated wells as soon as possible. The expense associated for well testing should be initially financed by Oconto County; however, the cost later billed to the business entity/operator which caused the manure event.


LAND CONSERVATION DIVISION MANURE EVENT RESPONSE BRIEF

For complete response details please see the Oconto County Land Conservation Division Manure Event Response Technical Guide.

Upon reporting of a manure event the Land Conservation Division must determine the categorical nature of the situation and then coordinate with the appropriate agencies to implement the response. Whether it is a (A) storage facility failure or (B) a large scale runoff event*, (C) a small scale event with access to surface water or (D) a small isolated event with no access to surface water, some procedural structure will be followed to remedy the situation. All of the above situations will require the notification of the WDNR for everything from assistance to simply overseeing the cleanup.

Storage Facility Failure or Large Scale Event: Potentially the most hazardous situation, coordination of stopping migration of contaminants is crucial. Contact contractors if necessary, and contact DNR immediately. If there are no contractors locally available, the DNR would be able to advise as they have contracts with specific contractors. Upon containment and initial cleanup, short and/or possibly long term monitoring of well testing in the vicinity of the event area shall be performed. Water testing supplies may be available from Heath and Human Services Department— about 200 bottles are kept on-hand— and UW-Extension—about 30 bottles kept on-hand. A greater volume of supplies may need to be purchased depending upon the size of the event and number of adjacent properties with wells. Funds for such purchase will have to be located at such time. Final incident report must be completed according NR 708.05(6). Small Scale Event with Access to Surface Water: This is likely to be an event concerning waste transfer either to the storage facility, to the field or possibly an over-application of nutrients. If equipment on site can not contain contaminants, then outside contractors must be contacted. DNR should be contacted once containment is achieved. After cleanup, a final incident report must be completed according to NR 708.05(6). Monitor area for long term effects. Small Scale Event Isolated from Surface Water: It is likely to be an event concerning waste transfer either to the storage facility, to the field or possibly an over-application of nutrients. Contain and cleanup event, contact DNR to report, complete final incident report according to NR 708.05(6). Monitor area for long term effects.

*Large scale runoff events consist of fields of spread manure migrating off site due to rain or snowmelt above frozen ground conditions. These types of events have proven to be most common in the state within the last few years.


RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION The following resolution(s) by the Oconto LCD (by unanimous vote) as well as

the County Board (by unanimous vote) ensures this Procedural Manual is more than an advisory document, but is an adopted document meant to prescribe specific procedural steps when handling a manure event in Oconto County.

The 2014 Updated Procedural Guide: Oconto County Response to Manure Events was approved during the August 18, 2014, Land Conservation Committee of Oconto County Board of Supervisors.

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