Sites of related topics, other forms and links:

• Land Conservation Committee agendas and minutes.
• FTP site for Racine Land and Water Resource Management Plan
  

• Under the direction of the Racine County Land Conservation Committee (LCC), the Land Conservation Division (LCD) implements and administers County and State of Wisconsin Soil and Water Conservation Programs.  The Racine County Land Conservation Division relies on partnerships with local farmers, landowners, government officials, teachers, community businesses, and concerned residents to provide a cleaner environment.
  
• The LCD provides technical assistance on controlling soil erosion and water pollution.  Our office will help find solutions to your Land and Water Resource problems.
  
• Programs that the LCD administers include: Land and Water Resource Management Program, Wisconsin DNR Gypsy Moth Suppression Program, Farmland Preservation Program, Wildlife Damage and Abatement Claims, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and Tree, Shrub & Native Prairie Grass/Wildflower Program.
  
• The LCD sponsors a variety of information and education activities for youth as well as providing information to the public and other interested organizations as requested.
  

Technical Assistance:

• In providing technical assistance, our office conducts resource inventories, including soils, topography, water resources, land use and vegetation through on-site visits and map interpretations.
  
• We also provide complete engineering and design activities for construction projects, including site surveys, soil profile analysis, runoff and flow calculations and preparation of construction drawings.  Our office supervises the construction of conservation practices such as grassed waterways, diversions, wetland restorations, shoreland protection and livestock waste management systems.
  
• We work with farmers on developing conservation plans through conservation crop rotations, nutrient management, pest management, rotational grazing and other farm related conservation systems.
  
• Our office also provides shoreland erosion reviews for residental construction & developments within the County's shoreland jurisdictional areas.  Shoreland contracts may be obtained through the Code Administration office.
  

Soil and Water Conservation Programs and Funding Opportunities:

• Since conservation practices can be costly, public financial assistance is often available to qualifying landowners.  Our staff can help decide which conservation program best fits a landowner’s situation.
  
• The Land and Water Resource Management Program (LWRMP) provides approximately $40,000 annually for the installation of conservation practices throughout Racine County.  In most cases, this program funds 70% of the cost of your construction project.  Our office accepts applications year round for a variety of conservation practices.
  
• The Farmland Preservation Program identifies and protects agricultural areas against unplanned development.  This program is designed to preserve agricultural land and open spaces by promoting orderly land use planning and development, by promoting soil and water conservation, and by providing tax relief to farmers in the program.  In Racine County, only the agricultural owners in the townships of Burlington Waterford, Caledonia zoned A-1 General Farming District are eligible for this program.  To be eligible for the program, an agricultural producer must own a minimum of 35 or more acres of contiguous land which produced gross farm profits of not less than $6,000 in the last year or $18,000 in the last three years, or own a parcel of 35 or more acres of which at least 35 acres are enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program.  Farming operations must be conducted in compliance with county soil and water conservation standards.
  
• The Wildlife Damage and Abatement Claims Program is a cooperative effort with the County, DNR and USDA Wildlife Services to control damage to agricultural crops against deer, goose, turkey and bear damages.  This program provides farmers, growers and producers the necessary technical and/or operational assistance in identifying, abating, controlling, and assessing deer, goose, turkey, and bear damages to agricultural interests.  Agricultural producers must contact the USDA Wildlife Services within 14 days after first notice of damages to their crops to be eligible for abatement and or compensation.  The USDA Wildlife Services toll free number is 1-800-433-0663.
  
• Wisconsin DNR Gypsy Moth Suppression Program: Voluntary partnership involving State, Counties, municipalities, and landowners in a state-organized aerial insecticide treatment to suppress damaging gypsy moth populations; which in term can cause heavy tree defoliation. The suppression program sprays are completed in May and June; areas are determined in the previous fall. (Source WI DNR)**  Handout **
  
• The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is an opportunity for Wisconsin landowners to voluntarily enroll agricultural lands into conservation practices, such as riparian buffers, filter strips, wetland restorations, waterways and establishment of native grasslands.  Enrollment can be made with a 15-year application or perpetual easement application.  Eligibility determinations are made on a first-come, first serve basis.  Racine County has been allocated $400,000 annually for the implementation of this program.  The CREP fact sheet provides program details on eligibility, up-front payments, practice payments and the types of easements you can apply for.  Public access is not required for this program.
  
• The Tree, Shrub & Native Prairie Grass/Wildflower Program has been offered through the Racine County Land Conservation Division for over 20 years and our office has sold over one million trees.  The purpose of the program is to encourage area residents to plant native trees, shrubs and prairies for the purpose of conservation and wildlife enhancement.  The program offers a variety of pines, hardwoods, shrubs, wildflowers, and native prairie plants.  Each year, our office gives landowners the opportunity to purchase these items at a minimal cost.  Trees are distributed at the Racine County Fairgrounds in Union Grove in mid to late April.  **  Tree Order Form **

Information and Education:

• Our office provides educational handouts for students as well as the general public.  Information on shoreland restoration, lawn care, and water quality are all made available to the public.
  
• The Land Conservation Division participates in the State of Wisconsin Environmental Poster Contest.  This contest allows students to make posters using their creativity and artistic skills.  Prizes are available for the winners of the Racine County contest.  Winning posters are advanced to regional and state competitions.
  
• Our quarterly newsletter, “Ties to the Land", provides timely updates on conservation programs as well as news and information that you can use to promote a healthy environment.
  

Other agencies and programs related to conservation:

• Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), UW-Extension, Town & Country Resource Conservation and Development (RC & D), Root Pike Watershed Initiative Network (WIN), Farm Service Agency