Bloomer resident warns county roads are ‘self destructing’ as farming encroaches on right-of-way

Chuck Cosmer of Bloomer used his public-comment time to urge Chippewa County to enforce right-of-way and ditch protections, saying recent farming practices are encroaching on road shoulders and threatening new pavement.

“What's happening to them is they're self destructing in front of our eyes because of the farming practices,” Cosmer told the board. He said a recently paved road has only about an 18-inch shoulder that then drops about 3 feet; last year’s corn was planted into shoulder material and he described soft shoulders that he said make it unsafe for vehicles to use the edge of the road.

Cosmer identified County Highway GG, Highway 64 and County Double G as problem locations and said he had drone footage and photos documenting areas where planting extends to the centerline at intersections. He said the ditches and right-of-way are intended to carry runoff and act as a filtration buffer for agricultural chemicals; without them, he warned, polluted water will go directly into streams and creeks that cross under county roads.

He also described efforts to find statutory guidance and assistance, noting he had worked with an aide in Representative Rob Summerfield’s office and contacted Senator Tammy Baldwin's office, local town officials, the road commissioner and the sheriff’s office. Cosmer requested that the county examine the sites, enforce right-of-way and ditch standards, and consider remedies to avoid expensive road failures.

Cosmer said he has been raising the issue for four years and offered to share photos and video with county staff; he cautioned the board that failing to address the problem could lead to expensive repairs. “I'm not sure the cost, but like $3,000,000 a mile. I think we don't need to do that,” he said.

The board acknowledged his comment during the public-comment period; there was no formal action or vote on the matter at the meeting.