FUND: GENERAL |
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT |
The purpose of the Land Conservation Division is to carry out the dictates of
Chapter 92, WI Act 27, ATCP50, NR 120, 151, 153, 154, 216 and 243. The
Legislature has determined that the soil resources of this state are being
depleted by wind and water erosion, which is polluting our state waters with
non-point sources of pollution. This office provides planning, technical and
educational assistance in the areas of soil erosion and water quality
improvements to landowners and units of government in Racine County.
The Division assists landowners in protecting and improving our natural
resources by promoting and implementing conservation on the land. Our office
provides onsite technical investigations relating to soil erosion,
sedimentation, water quality and nutrient management to landowners, Planning &
Development, the Code Administration and other local municipalities. This office
also administers the state Farmland Preservation Program, Non-point Pollution
Abatement Program and the Land & Water Resource Management Plan.
One of our goals is to eliminate excessive soil erosion on all cropland in
Racine County. This year, we have reduced excessive soil erosion on over 58,000
acres of cropland in the county.
A second long-term goal is to continue to meet the objectives of the
State-mandated Land & Water Resource Plan. To date we have installed 1,700 feet
of stream bank protection, two cattle watering ramps, over 3,000 feet of grass
waterways, 1,000 feet of diversions, one grade stabilization structure, three
wetland restorations, monitored 700 acres of cropland required to meet
conservation tillage residue of 30-70% cover, and developed new conservation
plans for 906 acres.
We are meeting the goals of our Sugar-Honey Creek Watershed Project with new
conservation practices and tillage activities in the watershed. So far we have
reached approximately 65% of our goal..
Another objective is to conduct onsite investigations for soil erosion, water
quality and manure/nutrient management for shoreland contracts from the Planning
and Cold Administration Divisions. This year we have provided technical
assistance to over 40 landowners installing conservation practices and conducted
over 260 onsite technical investigations for soil erosion and water quality for
the shoreland contracts.
In pursuance of other goals, we provided assistance to the 35 Farmland
Preservation Program Participants, promoted Conservation Ethic through education
and information programs, including an environmental poster contest with over
120 participants and contacted 25 schools on storm drain stenciling. We also
provided information on our Land and Water Management Plan to 35 farmers, held
three meetings with local educators on promoting conservation education,
provided an educational booth at the county fair and provided a bi-monthly
conservation newsletter to over 2,000 landowners.
A continuing goal is to maintain sponsorship of the annual tree sales program.
Over the 18 years of the program, we have sold over 66,000 trees and shrubs and
helped establish over 25 acres of prairie and wildflowers.
