To the Editor-

If you live on the west side of Nekoosa or in the Town of Port Edwards, please take note.

On Sept. 28, 2015, the Wis. DNR permitted the spray irrigation of liquid manure and other waste products on fields near Nekoosa. The spraying could begin this spring.

On Thursday Feb. 18th of this year, a hose coupling at a large dairy near Fennimore, Wis. failed and a stream of liquid manure flowed across the land 2 miles into Castle Rock Creek, a trout stream. Neighbors were advised by the DNR to drink bottled water and test their wells for contamination. In 2013, this same business filed for bankruptcy forcing the state to pay $50,000 to have their one million gallon manure lagoon pumped. Now this happens.

All across the state–most notably in Bayfield, Green, Kewaunee, & Door counties–people are concerned and demanding action from a non-responsive legislature and governor. What can you do?

Demand of the WDNR and DATCP a public hearing before the spraying in Port Edwards begins. NR809.07 says that airborne pathogens (primary contaminants) like giardia lamblia, e-coli, fecal coliforms, & others be at ZERO. How can this possibly occur when they are being thrown into the prevailing westerlies.

You have a right to be heard. You certainly should be heard at the ballot box in April and November.  Send this letter or your own feelings to state and local leaders. They should be advocating for you; but aren’t.  What will we drink when the water is undrinkable?  We must be more protective of our most precious natural resource–WATER!

Bill Leichtnam
Town of Saratoga