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Fenwood Creek watershed program nears grant closeout; staff report installation of waterways, cover crops and pilot incentive projects
Summary
County staff reported progress under a DNR Fenwood Creek grant: nearly 1,000 acres of cover crops, 146 acres reduced tillage, multiple grass waterways and a manure‑pit abandonment. Staff said the DNR-funded program will close out in 2026 with remaining projects planned.
Marathon County conservation staff updated the Environmental Resources Committee on Fenwood Creek Watershed work funded by a DNR grant and said they expect to close out the second phase of the project in 2026.
Staff reported project accomplishments including nearly 1,000 acres of cover crops, 146 acres of reduced tillage, multiple grass waterways, manure‑pit abandonment and other conservation practices installed with grant support. The grant award for the current phase was $350,000, staff said; planned projects remaining for 2026 include four additional waterways, another manure‑pit abandonment and further cropping-practice assistance to close out the grant deliverables.
Staff highlighted outreach events: a 2023 “Moving Fenwood Forward” event that attracted about 120 landowners and a newsletter campaign that showcased successful projects. Staff described a notable waterway near the village of Fenwood that required DNR wetland permitting because the site contained hydric soils; permitting took roughly 18 months but led to a waterway that protects the main branch of Fenwood Creek.
Staff also summarized a five‑farm pilot that paid incentives for keeping field phosphorus‑index values below a target; those incentive payments have been reduced about 60% in years after the start of the pilot and the five participants have continued voluntary practices with minimal payments, staff said. County staff said pilot participants reported lower fuel and time costs and reported improved soil health and yields. The Fenwood Creek program also included technical and financial assistance for cover crops, waterways and equipment crossings.
Staff said a final report will be prepared at closeout and that Fenwood practices have reduced phosphorus and sediment transport in the watershed, according to project accounting in the grant files.
No committee action was required at the Oct. 14 meeting; staff asked supervisors and committee members to refer landowners and potential project sites to the conservation office for technical assistance.
