Shalom Wildlife Zoo Expansion

Shalom Wildlife Zoo

Shalom Wildlife Zoo is located in Washington County near Wallace Creek.  The Farmington Town Board is considering amending Shalom Wildlife Zoo’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP), to

  • Additional land parcels (current permit from March only covers 11 of 100 acres);
  • Allow construction of a new facility that would allow the expansion of activities including animal education/encounters, seminars, weddings, and corporate/private events.

    Why Should You Care About THIS Issue?

    Despite operating for 30 years, Shalom Wildlife Zoo did not have a permit to operate from the Town of Farmington prior to March 2024, and the current permit excludes most of the zoo property. Most concerning, there has been little information provided about the proposed expansion, nor about how runoff and manure is managed which increases the risk of harmful practices going unchecked.

    We don’t yet understand how much water is being used.  Zoos typically use quite a bit to maintain facilities and care for animals. Excessive withdawal can reduce streamflow, harm wetlands and affect wells and drinking water supplies.

     

      What Does Milwaukee Riverkeeper Support?

      Given the lack of information provided to the public about the zoo operations and proposed expansion plans, Milwaukee Riverkeeper would ask the Town of Farmington to delay granting the conditional use permit until more residents are informed about potential impacts to the environment, local water/wells, and their quality of life.

      What Can You Do to Help?

      Community members have reached out to Milwaukee Riverkeeper to investigate these concerns given the lack of information provided to the public. We would ask the Town of Farmington to delay granting the conditional use permit until more residents are informed about potential impacts to the environment, local water/wells, and their quality of life.

      • Attend the Hearing: Make your voice heard and ask for a delay in the decision until more information is made available TOMORROW, December 10th at 7:00PM at Farmington Town Hall (9422 State Hwy 144, Kewaskum, WI 53040)
      • Spread the Word: Share this alert with neighbors and other concerned community members.
      • Stay Informed: Milwaukee Riverkeeper will work with state and federal agencies and other community groups to ensure the facility has all required permits to protect waterways and wetlands.

       

      Public Hearing 12/10

      • Tuesday, December 10 | 7:00 PM | Farmington Town Hall (9422 State Hwy 144, Kewaskum, WI 53040)The Farmington Town Board is holding an in-person public hearing to consider amending Shalom Wildlife Zoo’s Conditional Use Permit (CUP)