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Marathon County converts fields to prairie to protect Athens wells; staff proposes EIF seed-money pilot for more communities
Summary
Conservation staff described a 60-acre prairie/pasture conversion around the Village of Athens municipal wells paid at $200/acre, funded in part by a $30,000 EPA prize; staff proposed a one-time $20,000 allocation from the county Environmental Impact Fund as seed money for future municipal wellhead protection projects.
Marathon County conservation staff described progress on municipal wellhead protection work during a special Environmental Resources Committee meeting Oct. 14, highlighting a 60-acre conversion from row crops to perennial vegetation near the Village of Athens municipal wells and early discussions with the Village of Rib Mountain about a similar approach.
Staff said the Athens work began after the Wisconsin DNR flagged rising nitrate levels in municipal wells. The county and partners used a combination of tools — groundwater recharge mapping, private-well testing and outreach — to focus conservation actions on fields closest to the municipal wells. Staff said they secured a $30,000 award from the U.S. Environmental Protection AgencySmall Communities, Big Challenges program and used…
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