Livestock Waste Management Ordinance (LWMO)

Winnebago County has had a Livestock Waste Management Ordinance (LWMO) since 1985. The LWMO is currently Chapter 13 of the Winnebago County General Code. It has been updated several times over the years to reflect the changes made by the State and Federal governments. The main goals of the LWMO are to prevent water pollution, protect the health and safety of residents, prevent the spread of disease, and promote the prosperity and general welfare of the citizens of Winnebago County.

What does a LWMO do?

• Regulates and permits where manure storage and transfer systems are located and verifies they are built to protect the environment.
• Permits livestock facilities and livestock lots to maintain a safe distance from surface water and wetlands to prevent runoff pollution.
• Regulates and permits the abandonment/closure of a waste storage facility and verifies environmental safety.
• Regulates the distance to wells from livestock waste to protect groundwater.
• Follows the Agriculture Performance Standards Livestock Waste Prohibitions (NR151).
• Follows the Manure Spreading Rules for all livestock waste detailed in Wisconsin NRCS Code 590 to protect water quality.

Permit Required

Any person who acquires ownership of, leases, constructs, reconstructs, enlarges, abandons/closes, or substantially alters any livestock waste storage facility, livestock waste transfer system, or livestock facility will be required to have a Livestock Waste Management Permit.

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What is considered "livestock" in Winnebago County?

"Livestock" means animals that are kept for human use or raised for sale or profit, including but not limited to bovine animals, equine animals, goats, poultry, sheep, swine, farm-raised deer and elk, farm-raised game birds, camelids (llamas) and ratites (emu).

What is a "livestock facility" in Winnebago County?

“Livestock Facility” means a lot or building (or combination of lots and buildings) intended for the confined feeding, breeding, raising, or holding of livestock, specifically designed as a confinement area in which livestock waste may accumulate, or where the concentration of livestock is such that a vegetative cover cannot be maintained within the enclosure. For purposes of this ordinance, open lots used for the feeding and rearing of poultry (poultry ranges) shall be considered to be livestock facilities. Pastures shall not be considered livestock facilities under this ordinance. 

What is Shoreland Zoning and a Water Quality Management Area?

"Shoreland Zoning" and "Water Quality Management Area” mean any of the following:

• The area within 1,000 feet from the ordinary high-water mark of a lake, pond, or flowage.
• The area within 300 feet from the ordinary high-water mark of a stream or river.
• A site that is susceptible to groundwater contamination or that has the potential to be a direct conduit for contamination to reach groundwater.