A county land conservation committee can provide landowners with a helpful document called "Farmland Conservation Choices: A Guide to Environmentally Sound Practices for Wisconsin Farmers." The committee can also recommend conservation practices that are appropriate for the landowner's farm. Cost-share grants may be available to help landowners install or maintain recommended practices. Landowners may contact their county land conservation committee to apply for cost-share grants. If a landowner receives a cost-share grant for a conservation practice, that practice must comply with subch. VIII.
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Counties have land and water resource management plans to promote compliance with farm conservation requirements (see s.
ATCP 50.12
). Counties will seek voluntary compliance and will offer information, cost-sharing, and technical assistance to help landowners comply.
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As a last resort, a county may seek enforcement action against a landowner who refuses to implement required conservation practices. A county may not seek enforcement action until it complies with applicable cost-sharing requirements under s.
ATCP 50.08
. A county may pursue any of the following enforcement options, as appropriate:
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The county may suspend a violator's eligibility for farmland preservation tax credits (see s.
ATCP 50.16(6
)).
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DNR may issue a notice of discharge, requiring a violator to obtain a pollution discharge permit from DNR (see ch.
NR 243
).
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The department of justice or a district attorney may file a civil forfeiture action against the violator (see s.
281.98
, Stats.).
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The county may take action to enforce its own ordinance, if any.
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A town, city, or village may take action to enforce its own ordinance, if any.
Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1County compliance procedures should be consistent with this chapter and ss.
NR 151.09
and
151.095
. A county should spell out compliance procedures in its land and water resource management plan, as provided in s.
ATCP 50.12 (2)
. The department and DNR will work with counties to develop suggested guidelines for county compliance programs.
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