Our department is responsible for administering several local and state land & water resource management programs. Interested in applying for our programs? Please complete our general APPLICATION FORM.
| Program Name | Description |
|---|
| Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP) | This county program provides local cost sharing dollars to landowners on high priority Best Management Practices (BMPs) throughout the county for pollution abatement and water quality protection. |
| Soil and Water Resource Management (SWRM) | This program helps provide funding to support land and water conservation staffing and expenditures. In addition, funds are used to cost-share agreements with landowners for the installation of conservation practices. |
| Spirit Fund Program (SFP) | Created in 2023, this county program provides additional, local cost sharing dollars to support Best Management Practices (BMPs) that protect surface water and groundwater, reduce soil erosion, and educate and/or demonstrate the importance of resource protection. Note: The WQIP and SWRM programs (above) receive first priority when allocating funds for conservation projects. Dollars from the Spirit Fund Program are used to increase quantity of practices installed throughout Winnebago County. |
| Farm Climate Smart (Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance) | The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched its Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities program in 2023 to increase adoption of climate smart practices on farms across the country. Locally, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance secured Climate Smart funding because many of the same practices that USDA supports for carbon capture also build soil health and reduce runoff resulting in improved water quality. In partnership with Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, Winnebago County is one of eight counties that has a dedicated Soil Health Specialist to assist producers with program enrollment and practice implementation. |
| Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) | This program offers Federal and State incentive payments to eligible landowners to install vegetative buffers along stream corridors. Landowners have the option of a 15-year agreement or a permanent easement. |
| Farmland Preservation Program (FPP) | This program provides tax incentives for landowners in eligible areas that are meeting the state Agricultural Performance Standards (NR151). Nepeuskun is the only township in Winnebago County currently eligible for the FPP. |
| STandard Name | Description |
|---|
| Agriculture Performance Standards (NR151) | Wisconsin Ag Performance Standards establishes polluted runoff performance standards for agricultural facilities and practices, as well as non-agricultural practices. These standards are intended to be the minimum requirements to protect water quality. |
| Stormwater Management: TMDL & MS4 | TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) and MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) are federal and state required standards that address water quality in the state. Much of the surface water within the county has been classified as impaired and requires close monitoring. |
