WI: LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION BOARD SEEK COMMENTS ON STRATEGIC PLAN DOCUMENT

News Date October 20, 2009

Farmers, rural landowners, conservationists and other interested parties are asked to comment by Nov. 18 on recommendations related to the changing responsibilities and authorities of the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Board.

The recommendations are outlined in a draft report developed by LWCB officers and advisors from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The LWCB is a statutory board attached to the state agriculture department.  The LWCB has key responsibilities related to land and water conservation, nonpoint source pollution and farmland preservation. 

Strategic planning efforts undertaken by the board in recent years provide a basis for the draft. 

The LWCB proposes to strengthen or maintain its roles in the areas of county land and water resource management plan approval, funding to support county conservation efforts, conservation program evaluation, research and education, and conducting forums to gather information on emerging conservation issues.  The LWCB also proposes to strengthen is linkages with other state boards that deal with conservation issues, and to consider a future role for the LWCB in the recently passed Working Lands Initiative. 

At their October 6 meeting, the LWCB voted to open a 30-day public comment period on the draft report.  A copy is available at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/aboutus/partners/aux_brds.jsp.

Comments on the report will be accepted through Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009.  Submit comments to Lori Price either by fax, (608) 224-4615, or by e-mail, lori.price@wisconsin.gov  The LWCB Officers will meet shortly thereafter to review the comments and complete the draft final report to be presented to the entire LWCB at their December meeting..

The final report, directed by the state legislature through Wisconsin Act 28, is to be presented to Governor Doyle, the Joint Committee on Finance and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature by January 1, 2010. (Contact: Richard Castelnuovo, (608) 224-4608)