The Wisconsin Department of Justice has finalized a settlement agreement with Central Sands Dairy
The Wisconsin Department of Justice has finalized a settlement agreement with Central Sands Dairy, LLC, resolving a civil environmental enforcement action concerning alleged violations of Wisconsin's wastewater discharge laws. Under the terms of the agreement, the company will pay $245,000 in forfeitures, surcharges, and legal fees. Attorney General Josh Kaul highlighted the importance of complying with environmental regulations to protect the state's clean groundwater resources.
Central Sands Dairy operated a concentrated animal feeding operation in Nekoosa, Wisconsin, and utilized manure and wastewater for field fertilization in Juneau County under a state discharge permit. The state alleged that improper storage, field application, and management allowed waste to discharge into local groundwater, violating environmental quality standards. Additionally, the state claimed the facility failed to perform required storage upgrades and neglected to submit mandatory planning documents to the Department of Natural Resources.
In addition to financial penalties, the court judgment mandates that Central Sands formally abandon its waste storage facilities in Juneau County by July 1, 2027. The facility closure process, which will follow plans conditionally approved by the DNR, is projected to cost approximately $315,000. The judgment was signed by Juneau County Circuit Court Judge Paul S. Curran following a collaborative effort between the Department of Justice and the Department of Natural Resources.
Todd Coppernoll oversees local news for WRCO and WRCE radio in Richland Center. Having served Richland Center as Mayor for three terms, Todd brings a unique perspective, and a familiar voice to the news. The focus is local, and so is the reporter.
Adam Hess has been involved in radio broadcasting since 1990, with many of those years spent on the air at WRCO FM in Richland Center. Currently, Adam hosts the Weekend Wake-up and Prime Mover Saturdays on WRCO FM, jumps in and helps out with news duties, handles Social Media duties for WRCO and WRCE, and is the Director of Technology at a Southwest Wisconsin School District. Reach him at adam.hess@civicmedia.us.
