DNR investigating reports of well contamination in county By Kevin Boneske For The News-Chronicle Recent reports of wells being contaminated in the towns of Lincoln and Luxemburg - from the suspected manure runoff of some farming operations - are presently being looked into by the state Department of Natural Resources, said DNR animal waste specialist Dave Bougie. Bougie said about "three to four" suspected contamination sources have been located in the town of Lincoln, such as where cattle had been in a feed lot and where a manure pile had been situated near a ditch. He noted the possible contamination sources he has been investigating in Lincoln involve smaller-scale farming operations. In one instance, Bougie said it appears a farmer may have contaminated his farm's well. The DNR is seeking to have the suspected farms take corrective measures and to educate farmers on "sound management practices" to prevent manure runoff from occurring, Bougie said. In order to bring an enforcement action in the county against a small farming operation not required to have a DNR permit, he noted it is necessary to prove negligence. In instances involving permitted large-scale farming operations, Bougie said the DNR uses a "stepped" enforcement process to get them to comply with their permits. He pointed out the state Department of Justice would have to agree to prosecute a matter referred to it by the DNR in cases where large-scale farming operations are suspected of permit violations. Recent reported manure runoff in the town of Luxemburg has resulted in at least two families reporting contamination to their well water. While the large-scale Glen Stahl farm has been alleged as the source of the contamination, Bougie said more than that farm as a possible source is being investigated in the township. Given a return to typical winter conditions with the snowfall, followed by spring-like rains, Bougie said the weather was conducive to the possibility of runoff problems. He noted the DNR sent out a recent news release to advise people to test their well water this time of the year due to the potential of contamination.