WI: Atrazine Restrictions Proposed for More Acres in Columbia and Sauk Counties

News Date: 10/05/2010

The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is holding public hearings on a proposal to expand areas in Columbia and Sauk counties where atrazine cannot be used. Currently, the herbicide is banned on 1.2 million acres in Wisconsin due to groundwater concerns.

The state agriculture department proposes adding 8,140 restricted acres in northern Columbia County which would connect two existing atrazine prohibition areas in the Towns of Marcellon and Wyocena. The proposal also adds a new atrazine prohibition area in southeastern Sauk County in the Town of Prairie du Sac which is adjacent to the existing Lower Wisconsin River Valley prohibition area. This would add 1,430 acres in Sauk County where atrazine use is prohibited.  (Click here for more.)