DOJ Announces $65,000 Settlement with Emerald Sky Dairy to Resolve Violations of Wisconsin’s Wastewater Laws
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) today announced a settlement with Emerald Sky Dairy, LLC (Emerald Sky Dairy) requiring it to pay $65,000 to resolve violations in November 2019 related to a manure discharge into a creek near Emerald, Wis. The settlement was approved by the Saint Croix County Circuit Court on June 7, 2022.
“Polluting our water negatively impacts water quality and wildlife,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “CAFOs must ensure that manure runoff doesn’t unlawfully end up in Wisconsin waterways.”
The state alleged that Emerald Sky Dairy improperly land applied manure on an agricultural field near the dairy’s concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) on November 20, 2019. The state alleged that the application resulted in ponding and movement of manure on the field. The state alleged that a forecasted rainstorm occurred on the evening of November 20, 2019, and that manure ran off the field and entered Hutton Creek. An anonymous complainant reported the discharge to authorities on the evening of November 20, 2019. The state alleged that the discharge did not comply with a surface water quality standard for Hutton Creek and contributed to a kill of forage fish.
The agreement requires Emerald Sky Dairy to pay $65,000 in forfeitures, surcharges, court costs, and attorney fees.
DOJ Public Protection Unit Assistant Attorney General Emily M. Ertel represented the State of Wisconsin. DOJ worked closely with the DNR to obtain this result.
The public can report tips anonymously to the DNR Tip Hotline at 1-800-TIP-WDNR (1-800-847-9367).
DATCP, WEDC Announce Agribusinesses Receiving 2022 IMS Grants
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), in collaboration with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), announced that 11 agribusinesses will be receiving $110,000 in International Market Access Grants (IMAG). These grants were made available through the Wisconsin Initiative for Agricultural Exports (WIAE), which was proposed by Gov. Tony Evers in his 2021-23 biennial budget.
Coordinated by WEDC, IMAGs provide funding to support a company’s specific export development and deployment strategy. The WIAE expands WEDC’s existing IMAG program by designating funds solely for agribusinesses. Recipients are established agribusinesses that are new to exporting or expanding into new markets, operating in Wisconsin, and manufacturing, processing, assembling, or distributing a product that has the potential to be exported.
Marathon Ginseng International, Weston $10,000 Update website and marketing materials to sell ginseng gift sets in China.
Quatrefoil Skincare, Madison $10,000 Promote ginseng-based skincare products at trade shows in China and Japan.
Hsu’s Ginseng Enterprises, Wausau $10,000 Develop marketing materials for the Chinese market.
CH Agricultural Technical, Madison $10,000 Participate in a trade show in China.
Associated Milk Producers, Portage $10,000 Join trade shows in China, Singapore and the Philippines.
BIO-Nutrition International, Madison $10,000 Create marketing materials and attend trade shows in China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand.
Land O’Lakes, Spencer $10,000 Hire consultants to help ensure compliance with selling products in Asia and the Middle East.
Genex Cooperative, Shawano $10,000 Conduct a digital advertising campaign targeting the Argentinian market.
Saga Furs, Milton $10,000 Translate marketing materials and produce videos for use in markets such as China, Greece, Italy, South Korea and Turkey.
Zimbal Minkery, Sheboygan Falls $10,000 Create a new website and translate marketing materials for use in Europe and Asia.
Ever-Green-View Farms, Waldo $10,000 Hire consultants to help reach markets in Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and the Middle East.
For more information on IMAGs, visit https://wedc.org/programs-and-resources/global-business-development-program/.
