Why is the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources refusing to issue a non-compliance letter or notice of violation? This is the same sad story that involves an industry not following its permits and the DNR refusing to follow its own rules.

Didion Ethanol has been operating for close to a year now. The DNR issued a wastewater discharge permit, many of us knowing this permit was completely inadequate. Only because a petition to appeal was issued by local residents has the DNR admitted that they screwed up on several aspects of this permit.

They have allowed for a review of several provisions and are willing to make some adjustments. We are pleased to see at least that much accomplished. Most discouraging is the DNR denying other petition reviews because certain words were not used in the public comment process. Are we expected as average citizens to know water degradation must be used as a term instead of water quality?

Not withstanding, Didion is currently discharging a foul yellowish and milky muck from its discharge pipe and we are still not sure what it is. Of course, the DNR never seems to get a sample of this nature. In fact, I believe most samples, if not all, submitted to the DNR are not in compliance with its wastewater discharge permit. I am sure the DNR will say that it is working with Didion to get into compliance if they have even done that. Well, how does one do that?

The ethanol industry is looking for much lower restrictions on their discharges and this should not be allowed to happen. The citizens are not protected, waterways are not protected, and our environment is not protected. The DNR needs to get on the ball and protect our natural resources, their namesake.

They need to do exactly what they do when it comes to issuing a permit and fast-track enforcement.

What is one to do? How pathetically sad it is that the people we pay to protect us from these environmental lawbreakers are the ones enabling this action to continue.

I will always fight for the waterways of Cambria and Columbia County. Who else will stand with me? Contact the DNR and ask them when they will start protecting Tarrant Lake and the Duck Creek Watershed.

As I have stated before and will repeat, there are only two things we need in this world to survive ... clean air and clean water. Without those two items, we will not be able to grow the corn to feed their so-called "environmentally friendly" industry.

I also read a self-promoting editorial by Didion and am wondering why they don't use that visitor center money to work on compliance of their air and water permits or maybe even abide by the developer's agreement they signed with the village.

John Domino, Cambria