LCD 6/10/04
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
REGARDING REVISIONS TO
CHIPPEWA COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION STANDARDS
For Farmland Preservation contracts, the County has historically required that program participants:
For State water quality contracts, the County has historically required these same standards, plus additional requirements to control runoff from barnyards and livestock access and cropping practices in stream corridors.
On agricultural properties subject to a Wisconsin Farmland Preservation agreement or State nonpoint pollution control contract.
In 1998, a State law was adopted which required State agencies to develop “performance standards and prohibitions” to control nonpoint pollution from both agricultural and non-agricultural sources.
In 2002, the State actually set these standards under Wis. Adm. Rule NR151,
Under State law, the new agricultural performance standards and prohibitions apply to all agricultural operations in Wisconsin.
The standards are intended to provide a basis for agricultural business decisions and local conservation program efforts. They are intended to be phased in over a period of years using a local strategy, which must be defined in each County’s Land and Water Plan.
5. What are the new County standards?
The new standards will be the State standards plus the historical requirement to conserve wetlands.
6. When must the new agricultural performance standards be implemented?
Technically, the State runoff standards went into effect on October 1, 2002. The standards which relate to nutrient management (590) will begin to go into effect in 2005.
The State law stipulates that if an agricultural operation does not yet meet the standards, the new standards can not be “enforced” unless State cost-share is offered.
Conversely, the State law requires that operations that already meet the standards must continue to do so without the offer of cost-share. It is important to note that funds to implement the standards are very limited. Therefore, a long phase-in period is expected.
7. What is the Chippewa County’s overall strategy for implementing the new standards?
The County will use a Voluntary Farm Evaluation approach to introduce and implement
the standards. State cost-share funds and technical assistance administered by the County will be allocated to operations which participate in this evaluation program.
This voluntary approach will be augmented by a regulatory component.
8. What is the regulatory component?
Under this component, the County will conduct “non-voluntary” evaluations in response to public complaint.
9. I have an existing Farmland Preservation Agreement and now meet the current standards. How will the changes apply to my operation?
You can continue to operate under the existing County standards for the term of your agreement. If the land is now in compliance with the existing standards, the land must remain in compliance after the agreement expires.
Landowners who choose to renew or sign a new Farmland Preservation Agreement are obligated to meet the new standards.
10. I have an existing State water quality contract and now meet all of the current standards which go with the contract. How will the changes apply to my operation?
You can continue to operate under the existing County standards for the term of your agreement. If the land is now in compliance, it must remain in compliance after the agreement expires.
Landowners who choose to renew or sign new State water quality contracts must meet the new standards.
11. Who will the County work with first in implementing the new standards?
Given funding limitations, the County will primarily work with three (3) groups:
1. Operations that are expanding and are applying for State NPDES permits or a County manure storage permit.