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Dairy cooperative urges Kewaunee County to clarify inspection rules after unannounced entries
Summary
A dairy-industry representative told the county Land & Water Conservation meeting that staff have been entering private property without prior notice and urged a change to county ordinance to require notice or permission before inspections.
Kim Bremer, executive director of Extra Dairy Cooperative, told the Kewaunee County Land & Water Conservation Committee during public comment that county land-and-water staff have been entering private property without permission and urged the county to change its local ordinance to require notice or landowner permission before entry.
Bremer said staff do have inspection authority under state law but that the county's Chapter 30 ordinance, as written, appears to presume permission would be sought first. "Land and water conservation staff is being frequently seen on private property without permission," she said. She asked the committee to consider amending the ordinance to clarify that entry should follow reasonable notice or permission if that is the county's intent.
Why it matters: Bremer said unannounced entries are eroding trust between local farmers and the county department that handles conservation and water-quality work. She said farmers want to be part of solutions and that notifying landowners would be a professional courtesy that preserves cooperation built over years.
Bremer cited specific legal references during her remarks, saying the department "has the authority to enter based on Wisconsin statute 92.07(14) for reasonable performance of your duties" and pointing to county language in chapter 30 (section 30.05(2) and section 30.01(3) as cited) about inspection authority and the county's policy goals. She told the committee she would leave a letter outlining her concerns and that her organization will coordinate with state DNR staff on communication improvements.
Committee action and next steps: The committee did not adopt an ordinance change during the meeting. Bremer asked the board to consider an amendment clarifying that notice or permission is required before staff entry; no formal direction or motion to amend was recorded in the transcript.
