County OKs variance for manure storage near wetland
EMILY GOJMERAC
REPORTER
Kelvin Martin, of Oakridge Engineering, Inc. asked members of the Taylor County Land Conservation Committee on Tuesday to grant a variance allowing a manure pit storage to be located 240 feet from a wetland.
The county waste storage ordinance currently requires a 300 foot setback from wetlands, which goes above and beyond any state requirements. Variances can be granted to applicants on setbacks at the discretion of the Land Conservation Committee. In this case, due to the layout of the farm, moving the pit farther from the wetland would lead to increased construction costs and additional rain water entering the waste storage from the extended scraping alley. Also, importantly, the land at the site of the waste storage slopes away from the wetland allowing any potential runoff to travel about 500 feet before turning back to the wetland area. With the approved variance, Kelvin’s engineer can work on finalizing the engineering plans for the waste storage. The engineer will then submit the plans to the Land Conservation Department.
The committee will review the plans to make sure they meet all Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) and county standards and then issue the permit to Martin.
The Land Conservation Department is continuing the monitoring of 35 sites for total phosphorus on streams and rivers in Taylor County. Most of the streams and rivers in the agriculture areas of Taylor County are impaired for phosphorus, meaning that due to elevated phosphorus levels, water quality is reduced with excessive plant and algae growth possible. Phosphorus enters waterways from multiple sources, such as municipal sewer treatment plants, failed private septic systems. Direct farmyard Land Conservation’s programs and cost share dollars are targeted towards reducing soil erosion and farmyard phosphorus losses. Monitoring the streams and rivers allows them to target areas of need and track changes over time.
In other business: Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) is looking for an Office Automation Clerk, the position has yet to be filled.
The NRCS has 28 projects that are scheduled for the winter.
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) have four new applications taken this winter. There are currently 15-20 landowners interested in the May 2022 application deadline. These applications are for shearing projects in the winter of 2023.
Nutrient Management classes had higher attendees from Medford this year than in the past year. Five farms were represented during this training.
Land Conservation is donating 500 sugar maples to be given out during Taylor County Maplefest in April.
Taylor County Stream monitoring was consistent throughout the past year with a high flow rate in August.
Winners of the poster contest will be announced soon.
