Wilton Businessman Ordered to Pay $56,700 For Environmental Violations

MADISON - Ronald Drews and his corporation, Drews Farms, Inc., of Wilton, Wisconsin has been found guilty of a series of civil environmental violations arising from his businesses, Trailside Bed and Breakfast and the Dorset Valley Schoolhouse Restaurant.

Drews was found to have violated Wisconsin's septage laws by pumping his septage from the businesses and dumping it on the banks of Dorset Creek on three occasions in 2006.  Drews also dumped all of his personal and business waste into a foundation pit from 2000 until July 2006.  The illegal solid waste was cleaned up in May 2009.  The corporation also has a large manure pit that poses a danger of overflowing into Dorset Creek and was ordered closed.

On October 19, 2009, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Nicholas J. McNamara sentenced Drews and his corporation to pay $56,700 for the violations.  The total represents, $37,190 in forfeitures and surcharges and $19,510 to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Department of Justice for investigation and prosecution costs.  Drews and his corporation were also ordered to:

1. Stop any further septage collection or disposal activities unless and until they have come into compliance with the state's regulatory requirements;
    
2. Stop storing or disposing solid wastes on the property;  and
    
3. Close the manure storage facility in compliance with state regulations by June 1, 2010.
4.  

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen stated "This is an important case in the enforcement of Wisconsin's septage and solid waste laws.  We will continue to work with the DNR to protect the waters of the state from illegal septage dumping, illegal solid waste sites near water and overflowing manure pits.  Drews' violations affect not only his property but everyone down stream." 

The case was referred to the Wisconsin Department of Justice by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Steven Tinker.