Madison, Wisc.-Agriculture interests concerned about the increased costs of new farm runoff rules being proposed by the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources have been assured there will be financial help in some cases. The changes, which involve performance standards to keep nutrients out of waterways during snow melt and rains, along with setbacks and implementation of a new phosphorus index, are still in the public comment phase, which closes April 12. Gordon Stevenson, who leads the department’s runoff management program, explained that the rules are being formulated because “runoff continues to pollute Wisconsin’s lakes, rivers, and groundwater, threatening public health, recreation, and our quality of life.” Stevenson said everybody needs to contribute to tackling the problems caused by algae, in addition to avoiding well contamination and preventing fish kills. “Financial assistance is available under our current program and is sustained in the proposed revisions to our rules. Installation of practices requiring capital expenditures generally qualify for 70 percent cost-share assistance. In hardship cases, cost share rates can go up to 90 percent.”
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