Dunn County environmental services presents land-and-water, surveying and planning updates

Dunn County department managers gave annual reports on June 17 detailing land‑and‑water conservation, survey operations, and planning activity.

Chase Cummings, county conservationist, outlined the Land and Water Conservation Division’s priorities, noting eight FTEs in the division and ongoing work on agricultural performance standards, phosphorus management, tillage setbacks, and two producer-led watershed groups. Cummings said the county is updating its Land and Water Resource Management Plan under state statute and continuing private-well monitoring funded initially through ARPA.

Tom Carlson, manager of the Survey Division, said the county surveyor’s office does not perform private boundary surveys and instead keeps a public contact list of about two dozen private survey firms. Carlson explained that many section-corner monuments are set flush or below grade and asked residents to notify the office when construction or roadwork threatens markers.

Tammy Traxler, planning and zoning administrator, described zoning coverage (16 of 22 townships are under county zoning, covering roughly 70% of the county’s land base) and previewed the comprehensive-plan timeline: drafts to the Planning, Resource & Development Committee in July–August, a 30‑day public review and public hearing planned for Oct. 1, and county-board hearings in October–November.

Supervisors asked clarifying questions about enforcement, funding for cost-share programs, and groundwater monitoring sensors that track well levels. Staff said high-capacity well permitting and reporting are handled by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources but that county-installed well sensors provide local trend data.

Staff asked the board to watch for the draft comprehensive plan this summer and to offer guidance on priorities for future land‑use decisions.