Land Management Agenda 02-06-2026

Notice of Public Meeting AGENDA Committee: Land Management Committee Date: Friday, February 6th, 2026 Time: 8:00 a.m. Location: 3rd Floor County Board Room, 407 S. 2nd Street, Alma, WI 54610 Remote Access: Join the meeting now This meeting is open to the public, but portions of the meeting may be closed if this notice indicates that the committee may convene in closed session. The following matters may be reviewed, discussed and acted upon at this meeting, but deviations from the order shown may occur: Public Hearing Agenda 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call of Members 3. Reading of Notice for Public Hearing 4. S&J Properties Rezone Application 5. Public Testimony 6. Correspondence 7. Adjournment Land Management Committee Agenda 8. Review/Discussion/Action Call to Order 9. Review/Discussion/Action Roll Call of Members 10. Review/Discussion/Action Public Comments Regarding Posted Agenda Items 11. Review/Discussion/Action Previous Meeting Minutes 12. Review/Discussion/Action An Ordinance to Amend the Official “Buffalo County Zoning District Map” – Town of Milton 13. Review/Discussion/Action Wildlife Services report 14. Review/Discussion/Action LWRMP questionnaire and answers 15. Review/Discussion/Action Surveyor Report 16. Review/Discussion/Action GIS/LIO Report 17. Review/Discussion/Action Department Manager Report 18. Review/Discussion/Action Committee Chair Report 19. Review/Discussion/Action Public Comments Unrelated to Agenda Items 20. Review/Discussion/Action Next Meeting Date and Time: 21. Review/Discussion/Action Adjournment Date: 1-30-2026 Max Weiss, Chair _______________________________ By: Lisa Schmitt, County Clerk Board Members: If unable to attend, please contact the Chair. If the Chair is unavailable, please contact the County Clerk’s Office at 608-685-6209. If the Chair and the County Clerk are not available, please call the Administrative Coordinator at 608-685-6234. Persons with Disabilities: Buffalo County shall attempt to provide reasonable accommodations to the public for access to its public meetings, provided reasonable notice of special need is given. If you require special accommodations to attend this meeting, please contact the County Clerk’s Office at 608-685-6209. Public Access to the Courthouse: The South Entrance will be the only access to the building after 4:30 p.m. Persons who are members of another governmental body, but who are not members of this committee, may attend this meeting. Their attendance could result in a quorum of another governmental body being present. Such a quorum is unintended, and they are not meeting to exercise the authority, duties, or responsibilities of any other governmental body. {Publish: January 15th and January 22nd, 2026 in the Buffalo County News} NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE BUFF ALO COUNTY LAND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND BUFF ALO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Please be advised that the Buffalo County Land Management Committee will hold a public hearing to consider amending the district boundaries of the "Buffalo County Zoning Districts Map" at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 6th, 2026, in the Third Floor Board Room, Buffalo County Courthouse, Alma, Wisconsin. A petition made by SJ Properties, S2945 Retriever Trail, Fountain City, WI 54629, requests changing the zoning district from Agriculture/Natural Resource Transition - 5 to Residential pertaining to a parcel ofland approximately 25.17 acres in area located in the NE 1/4, - NE ¼, Section 36, Town of Milton, Buffalo County, Wisconsin. Parcel #022-00518-0000. Immediately following the public hearing, the Land Management Committee will take action making a recommendation to the Buffalo County Board of Supervisors, who will consider the ordinance/ petition for change in zoning district boundaries at their next regularly scheduled meeting on March 23rd, 2026, in the Third Floor Board Room, Buffalo County Courthouse, Alma, Wisconsin. You are further notified that copies of the rezone petition are on file and open for public review in the office of the Buffalo County Clerk and the Buffalo County Department of Land Management for a period of not less than two weeks prior to the February 6th, 2026, 8:00 a.m. Buffalo County Land Management Committee public hearing and the Buffalo County Board of Supervisors consideration, in accordance with Wisc. Stats. 59.69(5)(e). Buffalo County Land Management Committee I Alexander Dunlevy Buffalo County Department of Land Management Buffalo County Ordinance Drafted By: C Severson Department: Land Management Month/Year: January, 2026 Fiscal Impact: Yes/No Committee: Land Management Com. Ordinance # __________________________ An Ordinance to Amend the Official “Buffalo County Zoning District Map” – Town of Milton Whereas, a petition for a map amendment/rezone of a parcel of land located in Section 36, Town of Milton, Agriculture/Natural Resource Transition - 5 to Residential was received from Bridget O LLC and; Whereas, official notice has been published in the Buffalo County News on January 15th and January 22, 2026, and placed the same and application documents on file in the Land Management Department and the Office of the County Clerk for two weeks prior to February 6th, 2025, and; Whereas, the Town Board, Town of Milton was notified of the proposed rezone and land use change and the requisite Towns Acknowledgment Form was delivered to the Department of Land Management stating that the proposed rezone was acted on by the Town Board with the Town Board Chair signing the form indicating support of the rezone petition, and; Whereas, a public hearing was held by the Buffalo County Land Management Committee at the Buffalo County Courthouse on February 6th, at 8:00 AM for the purpose of gathering public testimony regarding the proposed map amendment/rezone, and; Now Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Buffalo County Board of Supervisors hereby adopts and ordains as follows: That the Buffalo County Zoning District Map, Town of Milton; parcel #022-00518-0000, said parcel of land containing 25.17 acres more or less, shall be rezoned from Agriculture/Natural Resource Transition - 5 to Residential Zoning. Adopted at a duly called and noticed meeting of the Buffalo County Board of Supervisors on this ______ day of ____________, 2025. ATTEST: _________________________ _________________________ Buffalo County Clerk Buffalo County Chairperson Buffalo County Ordinance Land Management Committee: _________________________ __________________________ Max Weiss Gary Stanton _________________________ __________________________ Robert Sendelbach Chris Lindstrom _________________________ __________________________ William Bruegger, Sr. Joe Bragger WISCONSIN WILDLIFE DAMAGE ABATEMENT AND CLAIMS PROGRAM USDA-APHIS-WILDLIFE SERVICES Wildlife Damage Program Summary Wildlife Specialist Alec Sundelius County: Buffalo 2025-Program enrollees PROGRAM PARTICIPANT RESOURCE SPECIES ABATEMENT TOWN Aaron Bergman Apiar y Bea r Temp. electric fence Dove r Dean Hestekin Corn, soybeans, hay Deer Shooting Permit – Act 82 Dover Tony Russell Apiar y Bea r Temp. electric fence ##13 Jonas Schank Apiar y Bea r Temp. electric fence ##4 Devon Stamm Co rn Dee r Shootin g Permit – Act 82 Mondovi Shane Stuhr Apiary Bear Temp. electric fence Milton, Waumandee Permanent Deer Fence Inspections: Lin. Ft. Constructed Expires Historic Enrollment 2010: 10 enrollees 2011: 15 2012: 10 2013: 20 2014: 15 2015: 13 2016: 11 2017: 11 2018: 6 2019: 5 2020: 5 2021: 6 2022: 9 2023: 7 2024: 7 2025: 6 26 deer donated through the WDNR’s venison donation program in 2025 in Buffalo County (Eagles Peak Processing) Other Resources: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabit at/wdacp -WDNR’s Wildlife Damage Program web page. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabit at/hunt -The public can access lists of properties (with maps) open to public hunting through this program. Additionally, the public can see who was issued a shooting permit in each county. Land and Water Conservation Board County Land and Water Resource Management Plan Five Year Review of LWRM Plans County: Buffalo Implementation Covering Past Five Years and Future Directions Answer these four questions in writing (not to exceed 4 pages) 1. Provide a representative number of accomplishments that can be directly traced to activities identified in multiple work plans. For each accomplishment, explain how the planning process helped the county achieve its outcome, including planning adjustments that helped better target county activities. One strong goal of the plan was to reduce soil erosion. Funding for these practices have come from DATCP, MVD, Buffalo County, USFWS, and other non profits such as rod and gun clubs and Trout Unlimited.The mission of reducing soil erosion has held true due to the fact that several practices have been installed since plan inception. One common practice is that of grade stabilization dams that have showed up in work plans year after year.There have been 9 installed since the plan was written. The process of identifying soil loss as a critical component in the plan has assisted in the conversations with land owners and the general will of producers to keep soil where it belongs. We have also added 10 acres of grassed waterways to reduce erosion within fields. Another practice has been stream bank stabilization. In the past 5 years, 5,100 feet of streambank have been stabilized. Our partners in the NRCS have been the heavy hitters in these catergories simply due to funding allotment. They have installed 43 grade stabilization dams and 25 acres of grassed waterways since the plan was passed. This partnership is a crucial key to spreading the message of conservation within the County. Another key component of the plan was reducing sheet and rill erosion. The Land Conservation Department has been actively engaging landowners on the importance of soil health. This has led to the cost share planting of 200 acres of cover crops to keep living roots in the soil, hold nutrients, and reduce erosion. The completing of a 9KE plan for the Bear creek HUC 12 was a huge milestone that was accomplished just recently. That plan outlines a future direction for the Bear Creek HUC 12 and lays the groundwork for a fundamental approach to addressing that impaired waterway. 2. Identify any areas where the county was unable to make desired progress in implementing activities identified in multiple work plans. For each area identified, explain the work plan adjustments that were made to refocus planned activities. If no areas are identified, explain how the county was able to make progress in all the areas planned. The Farmland Preservation Program goals have fallen short of expected outcomes. In Buffalo County, 9 of the 17 townships are in Farmland Preservation zoning, and one township has a stand alone Agricultural Enterprise Area. Within the 9 townships enrolled in zoning farmland preservation, only 10 farmers are in the program. Long term agreements and continuing compliance for little financial gain seems to be the hold up. The AEA has seen a little uptick, but the initial buzz has quickly faded. Staff commitment to outreach and teaching NMP and soil health will hopefully change this in the future. 3. Describe how the county’s work plans implement its priority farm strategy and the effectiveness of county actions implementing agricultural performance standards and conservation practices on farms. In particular, the county should describe outreach, farm inventories, and additional funds that were pursued to implement its strategy. The priority farm strategy in the plan are farms and critical area sites that (not in any specific order): o Farms in watersheds draining to DNR listed Impaired Water (303(d)) o Farms that have significant manure management problems o Soil Erosion exceeding “T” (tolerable soil loss) o Cropping on slopes greater than 12% (and where soil erosion exceeds “T”) o Barnyard Runoff from feedlot o Winter spreading on restricted fields (based on the DATCP spreading restriction maps) o Complaints (anonymous or other) All conservation practices requires buy in from the farm, as they must pay their share of the practice. Funds used to implement practices comes from DATCP, DNR, NRCS, and MDV. Outreach is a critical component for landowner buy-in as site visits and conversations really help steer the contact on what changes can be made. When resource concerns are brought to our attention, staff work to come up with solutions and present them to the farm and describe why the practice would benefit the land and water quality. Giving several options and good communication skills are what is needed to turn the dial on conservation. Farm invertories are done any time they seek a manure storage pit or substantially altered one, as well as building a livestock structure, and farmland preservation. These avenues help start the conversation and allow us a good look at the farm as well as the conservation needs. If a complaint is received, county staff work with DNR non-point staff to come up with solutions that are needed and what actions can be taken. 4. Provide representative examples that show changes in direction for work planning in the upcoming five years, with specific examples provided showing adjustments in planned activities in the county’s most recent work plan. The county does not believe any change in direction is needed. if unexpected situations arise, the county make adjustments as needed. Buffalo County will stay the course as outlined in the plan in addressing soil loss, NMP training, priority farms, and overall resource concerns. Annual Work Plans Attach both of the following: a. The most current annual work prepared by the county. b. The work plan for the previous year that includes a column that identifies the progress in implementing the planned activities for that year. Board Review Process The goal of the review is not to fail counties. The board recognizes the dynamic nature of the planning process. Board members are interested in how counties tackle priorities over time and how they respond to changing conditions in pursuing their priorities. The board will evaluate a county’s planning and implementation based on how well the county balances and prioritizes the following: agricultural performance standards, other state priorities (impaired waters, FPP checks), and local priorities. When needed, the Board will provide constructive support to counties to improve the quality of their planning. Counties have the option to prepare a brief presentation to illustrate their successes and future priorities. Land Conservation Committee Notification The LCC was provided a completed copy of these questions (including attachments) on: Signature of Authorized Representative: __________________________Date: __________ (e.g. County Conservationist, LCC chair) Send completed questionnaire and attachments to: jennifer.chakravorty@wisconsin.gov