Dodge County Cheese Company to Pay $25,000 For Violating Water Management Laws

REESEVILLE — Under the terms of a stipulation, Specialty Cheese Company, Inc., agreed to pay $25,000 in forfeitures, costs and penalties for failing to comply with laws governing plans, reports and permits for its ridge and furrow system at its Leader and Lebanon facilities. It also did not implement chloride reduction measures at the Lebanon facility and failed to prevent flooding of the ridge and furrow system at both the Leader and Lebanon facilities. Based on photos from a March 19, 2008, inspection of the Leader facility, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) determined that the ridge and furrow system at the Leader facility was overflowing for eleven days. This wastewater drained into a wetland and a tributary of a nearby creek, a water of the state. This wastewater is a pollutant.

Specialty Cheese Company, Inc., cooperated with the DNR, who investigated the case. Specialty Cheese changed its facility, hired a consultant, renovated its field, developed a compliance plan for 2010 and 2011, and spent $150,000 to upgrade and remedy its system. Judge Brian A. Pfitzinger approved the stipulation and judgment.

"The State's permitting process is designed to protect Wisconsin's environment while enabling individuals to conduct lawful enterprises," said Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen. "We will continue to work with the DNR to make sure that Wisconsin's environmental laws are followed."

Assistant Attorney General Mary Batt prosecuted the lawsuit for the State.