[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6087599,"mediaKeyId","2889454-1ccd6a02867330dbd585e500ed25c001","parentId",2889454,"title","County environmental services outlines wetlands, feedlot and AIS activity; board approves $100,000 CRP incentive grant agreement","audioSeconds",2552,"startMs",1504000,"endMs",4056000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889454-1ccd6a02867330dbd585e500ed25c001&start=1504&end=4056","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889454-1ccd6a02867330dbd585e500ed25c001/thumbnail_1504000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6087599/Stearns-County/Minnesota/County-environmental-services-outlines-wetlands-feedlot-and-AIS-activity-board-approves-100000-CRP-incentive-grant-agreement","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087599-a742bfb53193721ebb4478160cba2333/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138098&Signature=dCgexuEiVTHKT8lenn2TGSZ~UQmfgQ6tkIyGI62WfiOuFfU7uUBLSGnHUTxrY0GhCeJY9Nwi9A9vuNsG-OXHl~lP63bQpw3-V5djkU1eWE~1pQW~i38x9gitzNbvuEoLZDHbIdVysBfuuIiB3GN3u~cHzvAnpbcLI2TpmWXnMwPgDCQ0Ii7yfdyGdoEETZcJRFzjyqIlJtGDyle7Z-COk3BkRAOBxPo0OB-mc-JTPyuZJ2D3onl8qFwqA6c0EmzzDMNmeO2UZAVN7hNHmwVPt~heqL0rI3oXCVuUosJLHf6i0D3QANg~bV6-JGYv5uFzOdpH9EId3nVQP-H9r4NTrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Stearns County, MN","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","Shelley Benson, Stearns County Environmental Services director, and Ag and Water Resources Division Supervisor Becky Schlorff briefed the county board on wetland conservation, feedlot oversight, manure-record compliance and the county’s aquatic invasive species (AIS) program on March 11.

Becky Schlorff said staff averaged roughly 920 contacts with landowners per year regarding the Wetland Conservation Act and reported three informal wetland violation resolutions in 2024. \"For wetland violations in 2024, we had 3 violations, 3 informal resolutions,\" Schlorff said. She also said staff opened 24 investigations that year; not all complaints proved valid.

On feedlots, Schlorff told commissioners Stearns County has about 840 feedlots and that the majority are in the 50–299 animal-unit range. She said county permits averaged 22 business days to issue in 2024 and that staff issued 69 permits that year. Schlorff reported the county has reviewed recordkeeping for 546 feedlots (61% of the county total) and found 223 noncompliant for manure record-keeping (about 41% of those reviewed).

Schlorff described staff work with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), said MPCA has begun stakeholder engagement on potential rule changes, and noted the county plans small ordinance updates to feedlot provisions before sending changes to the planning commission.

Angela Beckman summarized watershed planning and AIS efforts. She said the North Fork Crow River and Sauk River watersheds were in implementation, the Mississippi River St. Cloud watershed had completed a plan and formed a joint powers entity, and the Mississippi River Sartell watershed had begun planning in early 2025. For AIS, staff recorded 13,257 inspections across nine lake accesses and eight water bodies in 2024; the county spent about $225,000 on the program with more than $100,000 in local contributions reported.

The board approved a fiscal-year 2025 CRP incentives grant agreement with the Sauk River Watershed Collaborative and authorized the county auditor to sign the digital grant agreement. The grant provides $100,000 to incentivize CRP enrollments in the watershed; the collaborative’s approved work plan (packet page 200) sets incentives at $100 per acre up to $3,000 per contract on a first-come, first-served basis and $500 per acre up to $15,000 for targeted areas.

Commissioners pressed staff to expand proactive outreach and to provide clear fact sheets for small feedlot operators to reduce after-the-fact permits and noncompliance. Schlorff said staff can consider a fact sheet and noted staff already do one-on-one education and modeling for pending construction sites.

No additional regulatory action was taken at the meeting beyond the CRP grant authorization; staff said they will bring proposed ordinance text changes and feedlot-program updates to planning commission and the board when ready.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Stearns County Board of Commissioners - 11 Mar 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Shelley Benson and Becky Schlorff of Stearns County Environmental Services briefed the board March 11 on wetland permitting, feedlot compliance, manure record-keeping and aquatic invasive species work; the board approved a $100,000 CRP incentive grant agreement for the Sauk River Watershed Collaborative.","taxTitle","Stearns County, Minnesota","taxId",3766,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6087604,"Stearns Conservation District reports $10.1 million in project funding, director announces May retirement",700,266000,966000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889454-1ccd6a02867330dbd585e500ed25c001&start=266&end=966","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889454-1ccd6a02867330dbd585e500ed25c001/thumbnail_266000.jpg","/articles/6087604/Stearns-County/Minnesota/Stearns-Conservation-District-reports-101-million-in-project-funding-director-announces-May-retirement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087604-be278aed10f9e384fc5ce3bf80c63d78/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138098&Signature=NJKWfGkk8JZf8N6dKgK5Ij6NmWCOwS89OLQArxwALIPwumeYVtOij8M~698IJV6bMZHkRe8e3gzTkm1ngdRbTgZyWAW-USKsYw-pIwMar0eaSlVg1ZNrV3CstTLr7IsG9h53mdd6~Q1qZrsk6duUetb00YGb2F6nN~0A7l-0lKsi~ViJl7YcXS-fEL5cwY8R5TLoGIePfiMYIb0FElQ9szLU~p0jlfKw2U17vsYfCDzB-yApxrO1lDiLhCJHjAZZ5k0m9EXM1yn75mwbxIf-4RDSwo~1soim1AK-4OHXGZDCU1Hq19m46-o0XnuWqb4xTGIT230ZoiT0FLR70NX9mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dennis Fuchs, presenter for the Stearns Conservation District, told the Stearns County Board of Commissioners on March 11 that the district brought in $10,100,000 in state, federal and local funds in 2024 to support landowner projects across the county.

The annual report, delivered to the board during the county meeting, said the district does not have taxing authority and relies on baseline funding from the county to leverage outside grants. \"We brought in $10,100,000 in state, federal, and local funds,\" Fuchs said, adding those funds went to landowners and were largely state and federal cost-share dollars.

The report summarized personnel and program highlights. Staff awards cited in the presentation included Mark LeFebvre receiving the Hugh Hammond Bennett Conservation Planner of the Year Award and Stephanie Hatzenbiller receiving the Deborah Swackhammer Award for Excellence in Water Resource Management. Fuchs noted the district completed 78 projects in 2024 across priority areas tied to the county’s comprehensive local water management plan and said staff increased slightly for inflation-driven salary and insurance changes.

Justine Meyer, identified in the presentation as chair of the Stearns Conservation District board, was introduced as a recent appointment to fill the term of retired board member Chuck Hopoff. Fuchs said the district will work this year on a new logo rollout, farmer-led conservation outreach and implementation of watershed plans; he also said the Mississippi River St. Cloud Watershed Collaborative plan has been approved and that the district could serve as fiscal agent if the collaborative confirms that arrangement.

Commissioners thanked the district staff for work on shoreline restorations, nutrient-management projects and private well nitrate testing. Multiple commissioners praised the district’s ability to leverage county funding to attract state and federal dollars and to complete large and small conservation projects. Fuchs closed by announcing his planned retirement in May and invited commissioners to a post-retirement gathering on May 29.

The presentation included photos of projects and noted partners such as the Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Pheasants Forever. Fuchs reiterated the district’s emphasis on focusing limited funds in priority watersheds where they believe they achieve the greatest benefit.

The board did not take formal action on the report; the presentation served as the district’s annual update to the county board.","Stearns Conservation District presented its 2024 annual report to the Stearns County Board on March 11, citing $10.1 million in state, federal and local funds that supported 78 projects countywide and announcing Director Dennis Fuchs will retire in May.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6087585,"County assessor reports 5% countywide assessed value increase; notices to mail March 12–13",1194,5247000,6441000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889454-1ccd6a02867330dbd585e500ed25c001&start=5247&end=6441","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889454-1ccd6a02867330dbd585e500ed25c001/thumbnail_5247000.jpg","/articles/6087585/Stearns-County/Minnesota/County-assessor-reports-5-countywide-assessed-value-increase-notices-to-mail-March-1213","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087585-965283f1315f530cd88217e9acc31cff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138098&Signature=AMuT0VPEEa5k79SO-li8yNc4fL-J5pOE8Nmy58R5LgLOAZxef2N2uHoZXNQcU2wCq2Ag~Y1i1Vo7ePXtsMwPM-5L1c4awlGB-tB~M9Y8iHQlFWZ1o4jD2HN2hFbe4SibFn1jlQ35FNr2afbnJQfXoIGLW4nrxf6iKTvn~N5~YUM3dSRMvzBlMy69ZkpRNmIbs6j4de3DeyMIzqkavEEASu2V9TPOjxcgbxKkF93Bs~6CnLaSIIqJZqIU9j~StD0AHpAWyZcpUTI30HU9N137xAsoEadg84oQPqYfvnCyHIJkF9PTv3H8KlJdIeeooe9Oz1aC7KHYC-onOG5gafX7jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jake Patey, Stearns County Assessor, told the board on March 11 that valuations for 2025 were completed in February and that notices of valuation and classification were planned for mailing March 12–13. \"Valuations were completed in February,\" Patey said, and the office plans combined mailings with tax statements as a cost-saving measure.

Patey and Assistant Assessor Randy Lauer said overall taxable market value in the county rose about 5% from the prior year and that new construction accounted for roughly $198,000,000 (about 22% of assessed-market-value change). The assessors reported roughly 2,560 new residential parcels added in the last 12 months and said the office processed about 1,925 electronic certificates of real estate value (eCRVs) in the prior year.

Sales studies produced mixed results by property class: qualified residential and seasonal-recreational sales produced ratios around 90–92 percent, apartments and commercial segments showed smaller changes and few industrial sales limited statistical analysis. The assessors said agricultural land remains variable by soil and location with an average tillable value near $7,300 per acre; sales counts for large agricultural parcels have declined in recent years, which affects confidence levels in ag time trends.

Patey told commissioners the assessor’s office will field questions after notices arrive and encouraged taxpayers to call staff to review line items if they are concerned about tax impacts; he also reminded the board that value changes and tax changes are distinct budgetary processes handled by taxing jurisdictions.

Commissioners thanked assessment staff for outreach and noted the difficulty taxpayers face when values rise; the assessors said they will continue regular field inspections and quintile work to validate values.","Stearns County Assessor Jake Patey and Assistant Randy Lauer presented the 2025 property assessment update, reporting a roughly 5% increase in taxable market value countywide, $198 million in new construction, and notices of valuation and classification planned to mail March 12–13.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6087590,"Board approves purchase of wetland mitigation credits for County Road 157 project; revised agreement rises to $328,566.64",577,4611000,5188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889454-1ccd6a02867330dbd585e500ed25c001&start=4611&end=5188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889454-1ccd6a02867330dbd585e500ed25c001/thumbnail_4611000.jpg","/articles/6087590/Stearns-County/Minnesota/Board-approves-purchase-of-wetland-mitigation-credits-for-County-Road-157-project-revised-agreement-rises-to-32856664","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087590-931ed31f9205410da2899770688c8c1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138098&Signature=A0K5oB6XPtmVgpjHPTEpTzfNieFA7RZiwgSgZ5Heq9dM7ywv3yLqmfQiJ8nje0amrmoUK7m~kQRL1-eWIab6Yhv3uC7mS8SeglSf6rABu1SJf8lPHPZrvx16UYva6DZF9SlIrj9WnwzvarafpeFdCCBLlMXp-pTCEgt-uem1jXp2yaTK2S9-0p8cUzoLoNamjJ0aW1C~m0IXUc0cQF4tNDwD8yUz0CFZ7VRfB1qzdyRemhWlhqSAJFoTpk2aPzM~UoC~ojAyieQ~-ndxpB~XwiKCwHnWaFdsNgXPXJ8kPPR31448Ks-vB6kQKzdV1Xc3~aJmyvnZZNfLsuUwgxPa6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Engineer Jody Tyke told the board the County Road 157 reconstruction project between Freeport and Albany requires wetland mitigation credits and that recent federal and state permitting interpretations increased the needed acreage and purchase cost.

Tyke said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requires mitigation even where the county is excavating in wetland to create stormwater-treatment facilities, a position that differs from Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) guidance in some cases. Because of the Corps’ permitting requirements and the scope of impacts, the county had to increase its reservation from the prior agreement and procure an additional 1.88 acres of mitigation. Tyke said the revised total purchase price for 3.56 acres of wetland credits is $328,566.64 and that the payment will come from local-option sales tax revenues tied to the road project.

Commissioners raised concerns about rising mitigation prices and the broader cost impacts of mitigation ratios (the county cited a 2:1 replacement ratio under current state guidance). Tyke said state and federal wetland mitigation requirements are under discussion at the legislative and federal advocacy levels and that staff will continue to seek policy changes.

Following a motion, the board approved the revised wetland credit reservation agreement for 3.56 acres of wetland credits for the County Road 157 reconstruction (CP 703-150-721). Tyke noted the mitigation purchase will not be charged to state-aid funds but to local-option sales tax funds for the project.

Tyke said staff will provide additional updates on environmental items related to the project at the board’s April or May meetings as permitting and mitigation work proceeds.","Stearns County authorized a revised wetland credit reservation for mitigation tied to the County Road 157 reconstruction project (CRP 703-150-721). The county will reserve 3.56 acres of credits; the updated purchase price is $328,566.64 and will be charged to local-option sales tax funding for the project.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6087596,"County board transfers $1.19 million in municipal state-aid into regular state-aid account for flexibility in 2025 road program",588,4188000,4776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2889454-1ccd6a02867330dbd585e500ed25c001&start=4188&end=4776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2889454-1ccd6a02867330dbd585e500ed25c001/thumbnail_4188000.jpg","/articles/6087596/Stearns-County/Minnesota/County-board-transfers-119-million-in-municipal-state-aid-into-regular-state-aid-account-for-flexibility-in-2025-road-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087596-45c8797b49e1c5fac206a6b09750f6b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138098&Signature=Q5aMde9ZSIhZmWiGhNdtzj4nO25JlVwNNadmHSTEdjJLuLQArP1T8uj5rkZi9Udi~0pHQfG4R3TwiPE7MIqiiGKTLq3NDYdFEapiMgzjlm3CGW9Ffz6qvofo8beXFAfWHzIz3WWzSEQP9D4CzoZTFd-Yc5zX6pTo48wcn0V-ZGNlPU~7AvJgIwIxLbcAseAO4OLatayQRiKpqSNIVb7hDbO4zh8RRVJuWvqZMyxRZZ7AuGbHXK3hn7chGsV9hhpToL5UWjLHbRgRHZsttEr3f1CyhuU7agJRGdeHKlMAyO~hA0NxRG~Qjj8ftK1Na7Fmmfvn1HhxS8~r6q61ElJSdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Engineer Jody Tyke asked the Stearns County Board to adopt a resolution on March 11 authorizing transfer of excess municipal state-aid construction funds into the county’s regular state-aid construction account.

Tyke explained municipal state-aid funds are part of state transportation revenues and that municipal account money is restricted to cities under 5,000. \"By resolution the county board can transfer what's considered excess from their municipal account into their regular account,\" Tyke said and requested a transfer of $1,186,952.51 into regular state aid so funds can be spent anywhere on the county road system.

Tyke told commissioners that the county would still retain more than $3 million in municipal state-aid construction funds for future projects in cities under 5,000 and that the transfer would not reduce funding available for small cities. The county’s road-construction program and prior advances from future allocations were discussed; Tyke said staff can show road-program options that would reduce amounts advanced in the future.

After discussion, the board adopted the resolution to transfer $1,186,952.51 into the regular state-aid construction account. Tyke said he will present an all-inclusive update on the 2025 road program at the March 25 meeting.","The Stearns County Board adopted a resolution on March 11 to reclassify $1,186,952.51 from municipal state-aid construction to the county's regular state-aid construction account to increase flexibility in the 2025 road program; commissioners said municipal-account balances will remain available for cities under 5,000.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County environmental services outlines wetlands, feedlot and AIS activity; board approves $100,000 CRP incentive grant agreement

Stearns Conservation District reports $10.1 million in project funding, director announces May retirement

County assessor reports 5% countywide assessed value increase; notices to mail March 12–13

Board approves purchase of wetland mitigation credits for County Road 157 project; revised agreement rises to $328,566.64

County board transfers $1.19 million in municipal state-aid into regular state-aid account for flexibility in 2025 road program