BURNETT, COUNTY, WIS. – In late March, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said in a letter to Cumberland LLC that it rejected a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) application from the company, which planned to build a hog production facility in Northern Wisconsin.

The agency said that the application that was submitted earlier in 2023 needed a complete nutrient management program.

A preliminary review letter for the management plan was sent in February, which requested additional information including verification of permission to apply manure and process wastewater on rented land by March 10 from the proposed facility.

DNR received information on March 24 that Cumberland planned to haul manure out of the state to Minnesota on roughly 800 acres for the volume not spread in Wisconsin.

An article published by St. Croix 360 stated that Cumberland owns a 40-acre parcel for the project where it plans to construct three barns, manure pits and other facilities.

Cumberland submitted a final application for coverage under a water quality protection permit for CAFOs issued by the DNR known as the Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit. The action is designed to ensure appropriate storage and handling of manure from larger-scale livestock operations.

The WPDES permit program does not have authority over odor, noise, traffic, or other issues not related to water quality. The DNR said a new application with the required materials must be resubmitted for Cumberland to pursue a WPEDS permit.