Programs
Conservation Chronicle- Animal Waste Management Program
- Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program(CREP)
- Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
- Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Dell Creek Watershed
- Environmental Quality Incentives Program(EQIP)
- Farmland Preservation Program(FPP)
- Grassland Reserve Program(GRP)
- Land & Water Resource Management Program (LWRM)
- Managed Forest Law(MFL)
- Tree & Prairie Seed Sale Program
- Wetland Reserve Program(WRP)
- Wildlife Damage Claim Program
- Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program(WHIP)
- WI Forest Landowner Grant Program(WFLGP
- Working Land Initiative (WLI)
Manure Management Ordinance
The purpose of this ordinance is to control any direct runoff from livestock feeding areas or manure management facilities to water resources, to prevent unlimited livestock access to water at a level that prevents adequate sod cover along the banks, to regulate the location, design, constructoon, installation, operation, closure and alteration of maure storage facilities and to prevent improper or excessive land application of manure.
A person is in compliance with this ordinance if he or she follows the procedures of this ordinance, receives a permit from the Land Conservation Department before beginning activities subject to regulation under this section, and complies with the requirements of this ordinance and the permit.
Please refer to this ordinance for activities subject to regulation. The ordinance also contains information on permit requirements including fees, standards, and application submittals.
If you are considering the installation of a manure storage facility, staff from the Department (LCD) are available to assist you with the application. Since the standards may dictate certain aspects of your facility design, it is important to contact the LCD early in the planning process. The first step in considering an installation should be a soils investigation to determine groundwater limitations. Soil test pits must be verified by department staff at the time of the soils investigation. It is also important that the facility is constructed according to permit requirements.
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is an opportunity for landowners to voluntarily enroll agricultural lands into conservation practices, such as stream buffers, filter strips, wetland restorations, and grass waterways. These practices aim to protect water quality by filtering out soil and nutrients from cropland before it gets to a stream or pond. A secondary benefit is creating wildlife habitat with the establishment of prairie and tree plantings and wetland restoration. Public access is not required on enrolled acres, and land remains assessed as agricultural land for property taxes.
Eligible lands are within 150 feet of a stream or water body. You may be eligible if you have lands that fall within designated towns in the county, have cropping history or meet marginal pastureland qualifications.
Just like the regular Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), USDA offers annual payments for enrolled acres based on soil type. The payments range from $61 to $237 an acre, paid annually for a 15-year contract.
In addition, the State and USDA offer an added up-front incentive payment that ranges from $163 to $359 per acre, based on soil type.
For landowners looking for permanent protection of their land, the state will enroll the land in a perpetual conservation easement. The incentive for this option is $600 to $2200 per acre, again based on soil type.
The installation of conservation practices are cost-shared from 95% to 110%. For more information on the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, call Serge Koenig or email him at skoenig@co.sauk.wi.us.
For more information visit the State Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection website.
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
The Conservation Reserve Program, administered by the Farm Service Agency, encourages farmers to voluntarily plant permanent areas of grass and trees on land that needs protection from erosion, to act as windbreaks, or in places where vegetation can improve water quality or provide food and habitat for wildlife. Landowners can set aside cropland with annual rental payments based on amount bid. Farmers must enter into contracts lasting between 10 and 15 years. In return, they receive annual rental payments, incentive payments for certain activities, and cost-share assistance to establish the protective vegetation. Eligibility varies by soil type and crop history. The Farm Service Agency holds periodic sign-ups. However, there is a continuous sign-up for buffers, waterways and other high priority environmental practices. Please contact Brenda Hendricks at (608) 355-4420, ext. 2 for more information. You can also find information at http://www.fsa.usda.gov
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is a voluntary conservation program that encourages producers to address resource concerns by undertaking additional conservation activities, and improving, maintaining and managing existing conservation activities. Through CSP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides financial and technical assistance to eligible applicants to conserve and enhance soil, water, air and related natural resources on their land. CSP is available on private agricultural lands, as well as for nonindustrial private forest lands.
Dell Creek Watershed Project
The Dell Creek Watershed is a 132-square-mile drainage basin located in Sauk County and Juneau County, Wisconsin. Approximately 60% is located in Sauk County and 40% in Juneau County. The watershed is largely agricultural (51%). Approximately 18% of the land area is developed. The urban portions of the Dell Creek watershed includes the villages of Lyndon Station and Lake Delton, along with the western portion of the city of Wisconsin Dells. The remaining 31% of the watershed is comprised of woodlands, wetlands, and surface water. The Wisconsin Dells is well known as a tourist destination that was built on private boat tours that began in the 1880's. The Dell Creek watershed is located in the lower Wisconsin River Basin.
Dell Creek, Hulbert Creek, Lyndon Creek, and many unnamed tributaries make up the watershed drainage area. Dell Creek and many of the other streams are not reaching their highest potential due to pollution from non-point sources and the lack of stream habitat in the watershed. Problems impacting the water quality of the streams and lakes include sediment transport and nutrient loading from agricultural fields and barnyards, bedload sediment transport, lack of stable substrate, and lack of diverse habitat.
The goal of the Dell Creek Priority Watershed Project is to protect, enhance and restore the surface and groundwater resources in the watershed area. Sediment reduction goals include a 25% reduction of sediment delivered to streams from agricultural fields, and a 70% reduction in sediment delivered to area streams from construction sites. Phosphorus reduction goals include a 53% reduction in phosphorus runoff from barnyards, and a 25% reduction in phosphorus delivered to streams due to erosion from agricultural uplands. The Dell Creek watershed project is scheduled to continue through 2009.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a voluntary conservation program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. It supports production agriculture and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, farmers may receive financial and technical help with structural and management conservation practices on agricultural land. EQIP in Wisconsin pays between 50 and 75 percent of the costs of eligible conservation practices. Incentive payments may be made to encourage a farmer to adopt land management practices, such as nutrient management, manure management, and integrated pest management.
This program is administered by NRCS, please see www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ for more information.
Farmland Preservation Program (FPP)
The Farmland Preservation Program is in transition due to changes included in the state 2009-2011 budget. Landowners with existing agreements can continue to participate thorugh the term of their agreement. Landowners owning lands in towns that are zoned exclusive agriculture will receive 2009 tax year credits as in previous years. For the 2010 tax year however, landowners with lands that are zoned exclusive agriculture and that comply with program requirements will be eligible for higher credit amounts based upon a flat rate per acre. At this time there is no option for new farmland preservation agreements in Sauk County. Email Mike Stanek for more information.
Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) is administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. It offers landowner easements or 10 to 30 year rental agreements to maintain hayland and pasture. You must have 40 contiguous acres of grassland to apply. Wooded acres are not eligible.
This program is administered by NRCS, please see www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ for more information.
Land and Water Resource Management Program (LWRM)
The Sauk County Land and Water Resource Management Program is designed to reduce soil erosion, protect water quality, and conserve the natural resources as outlined in the Land and Water Resource Management plan prepared by the LCD. The program provides cost-share and technical assistance to land owners who install best management practices on their property.
Landowners who are interested in obtaining cost share funds for a particular practice should fill out an LWRM Application and return it to the LCD office. Applications are ranked according to practice cost, priority areas, and environmental benefit. If approved, landowners can receive up to 70% cost sharing for a particular project.
Managed Forest Law (MFL)
The Managed Forest Law (MFL), administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, is a landowner incentive program which encourages sustainable forestry on private woodlands in Wisconsin. Together with landowner objectives, the law incorporates timber harvesting, wildlife management, water quality and recreation to maintain a healthy and productive forest. Sustainable forest management benefits Wisconsin's economy, hunting, fishing, wildlife, recreation, soils, waterways, and air quality, and renews our beautiful forests for everyone to enjoy.
Additional information about the MFL can be found at these Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources links:
Wisconsin Forestry
Tree and Prairie Seed Sale Program
Order forms and information for the annual Sauk County Land Conservation Department's Tree and Prairie Seed Sale Program are available each fall. The program encourages local planting of native woodland and prairie species while meeting a demand for low-priced seed and planting stock. Tree species being sold are: White Cedar, Red Pine, White Pine, White Spruce, Tamarack, River Birch, Black Cherry, Black Walnut, Bur Oak, Pin Oak, Butternut, Shagbark Hickory, Red Oak, Sugar Maple, and White Oak. Wildlife shrub varieties include: American Elderberry, American Hazelnut, American Plum, Gray Dogwood, Highbush Cranberry, Red Osier Dogwood, and Shadblow Serviceberry. Numerous prairie seed mixes are also available. Prairie mixes range from basic grass/wildflower mixes suitable for Conservation Reserve Program requirements to wildflower mixes and wildflower plants suitable for flower gardens. All tree and shrub species are sold in bundles of 25 and sell for $25 per bundle.
If you are interested in participating in the tree sale, would like to have your name included on our mailing list, or have any questions please contact the Land Conservation Department at (608) 355-3245 or email Gail Greve.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has a program for landowners who wish to plant a large quantity of tree seedlings at a lower cost. Additionally, tree planters and sprayers are available for rent through the DNR-Sauk County Foresters' office. Much more information about the DNR program is on the web at: http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/nursery/. Please email us if you would like an order form mailed to you.
General information on conifer and hardwood trees can be obtained from the USDA Forest Service or the Wisconsin DNR .
Wetland Reserve Program (WRP)
The Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) is a voluntary program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, to restore wetlands on private property. It is an opportunity for landowners to receive financial incentives to restore wetlands that have been drained for agriculture. Landowners who choose to participate in WRP may sell a conservation easement or enter into a cost-share restoration agreement with USDA to restore and protect wetlands. The landowner voluntarily limits future use of the land, yet retains private ownership. The landowner and NRCS develop a plan for the restoration and maintenance of the wetland.
This program is administered by NRCS, please see www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ for more information.
Wildlife Damage Claim Program
Sauk County is participating in the Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claim Program. This program is funded through hunting license fees, and is designed to help prevent crop damage due to deer, geese, bear, and now turkeys. The program will provide abatement assistance, including shooting permits, to reduce damage and will also pay some compensation for damage to crops.
The program tries to deter as much damage as possible and the key to doing this is to act early. Deer can be damaging alfalfa crops as soon as the crown appears from under the snow. This damage to the crown can result in long term yield reductions. Damage to corn can occur when deer pull out seedlings or bite off tender silks. The program can help if you are having damage or even anticipate damage based on prior years. Again, the key is to act early. Program administration is contracted to the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services. They can be contacted at 1-800-433-0663.
Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a voluntary program administered by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, for people who want to develop or improve wildlife habitat on private lands. It provides both technical assistance and cost sharing to help establish and improve wildlife habitat through long term contracts. The program is intended to improve fish and/or grasslands wildlife habitat. 5 acres is the minimum size to apply for this program.
This program is administered by NRCS, please see www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/
Wisconsin Forest Landowner Grant Program (WFLGP)
The Wisconsin Forest Landowner Grant Program (WFLGP), administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), assists private landowners to protect and enhance their forested lands, prairies, and waters. The program allows qualified landowners to be reimbursed up to 50% of the eligible cost of eligible practices.
Private landowners in Wisconsin are eligible for WFLGP funding if they own at least 10 contiguous acres of non-industrial private forest but not more than 500 acres within Wisconsin. Applicants must have a forest stewardship plan in place on their land or be applying to have one prepared through the WFLGP program. Landowners granted WFLGP funding can only be cost shared for non-commercial practices.
Here are some DNR links:
http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/private/financial/WFLGPfactsheet.pdf
Working Land Initiative (WLI)
The Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative was passes as part of the state's 2009-2011 biennial budget process. Main components include: expansion and modernization of the state's existing farmland preservation program, establishment of agricultural enterprise areas, and the development of a purchase of agricultural conservation easement program (PACE) that will make matching grants available to local programs that purchase agricultural conservation easements.
For more information, visit: http://datcp.state.wi.us/workinglands/index.jsp and the following:
Agricultural Enterprise Area Factsheet
