UPDATE FROM WAUPACA COUNTY
Proposed County-Wide Amendment Threatens To Override the lind town board's Decision:​​​​​
Our fight is not over. In late 2024, a newly formed Waupaca County Dairy Alliance submitted a proposal for a county-wide zoning ordinance amendment. This amendment would allow for co-digesters to be sited on any agriculturally zoned land in the county. If approved, this would remove all local control and oversight and eliminate any township's right to place conditions on a co-digester project. There are many long-term negative and perhaps unforeseen consequences of giving up local control for co-digesters. While our current fight is against a proposed county-wide zoning ordinance that would take away local control, be aware that some on-farm co-digester proponents may be pursing similar state-wide ordinances.
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On June 5, 2025, the Waupaca County Planning and Zoning Committee held a public hearing on the proposed zoning amendment. Following 2 hours of testimony, by both proponents of on-farm digesters and testimony from those opposing the zoning amendment that would allow co-digesters on any agriculturally zoned land in Waupaca County, the committee voted to spend the next six months learning more about co-digesters and to review what the the long-term implications and precedent that would be set if they approved this proposed zoning amendment. There was little understanding of the difference between on-farm manure only digesters and a co-digester using manure and industrial food waste. The "expert" witnesses brought in that were in favor of the zoning amendment, spoke primarily on their experiences with manure only digesters and few addressed the negative impact of co-digesters. A letter was read from the Town of Lind's attorney addressing the long-term implications of approving this zoning amendment that would remove all local control and the ability of townships to place any conditions/stipulations/safeguards to protect the health, safety. well-being, or good order of the community.