SEVASTOPOL (WLUK) -- Gilbert Farms in Door County is seeking a special permit from the Wisconsin DNR to expand its operation, but residents in the area are worried their air and water quality will be negatively impacted.
Gilbert Farms is located on County T in the town of Sevastopol, just northeast of Sturgeon Bay. The farm is seeking a permit to expand its herd by nearly 1,000 animal units and become an industrial farm.
However, at a DNR public hearing Wednesday, many community members made it clear they're against the idea. Dozens filled a room inside the Door County Gala, upset with the potential expansion of the farm.
"Today, we oppose the expansion of a factory farm in your neighborhood, 1.5 miles away from the city limits of Sturgeon Bay," Rod Miller of Sturgeon Bay said.
Gilbert Farms is looking to get a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, or CAFO, permit. This would allow the farm to expand its herd from around 1,440 animals to approximately 2,430.
"Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations are incompatible with Door County's geology. Door County has very shallow soils with an underlying karst bedrock and is not an appropriate location for any kind of CAFO," Annette Vincent of Sturgeon Bay said.
Community members worry air and water quality will be greatly impacted by increased waste and manure runoff. Topsoil depth reaches only about five feet until it hits bedrock in many parts of Door County. People worry liquid manure will contaminate water wells, aquifers and wetlands.
"This is not an organic dairy farm. The owners are allowed to use feed and bedding materials treated with pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers," another resident said.
There were also people in favor of the farm's expansion request present at Wednesday's meeting.
"We know right now it's a local resident with a good track record, and we would like to maintain that for the integrity of the community," Amy Duffield said.
FOX 11 called Gilbert Farms to request an interview, but they were unavailable. However, the farm's owner, Marge Gilbert, spoke via Zoom during Wednesday's hearing.
"We work with and support the other family farms in our community and we see our neighbors as family too," Gilbert said. "We ask that you approve the WPDES permit for our family farm."
A final decision on the CAFO permit wasn't made during Wednesday's hearing. FOX 11 asked the Wisconsin DNR when a decision will come. It said once the public notice period has closed and the DNR has reviewed all feedback.