About LCPD
What the Land Conservation Department is All About
The Pepin County Land Conservation & Planning Department works under the direction of the Land Conservation, Planning/ Extension Pepin County Committee. In 2018, the department was merged with the former "Land Management Department" in an effort to consolidate services that protect the natural resources of Pepin County. The department continues to offer traditional land conservation services as well as administration of zoning ordinances, emergency management, recycling and solid waste, and community planning programs. Residents can also find information about upcoming events, special programming, and other updates on our Facebook page.
The Pepin County Land Conservation Committee and Land Conservation Department Goals:
1. To protect and enhance the quality and quantity of water resources.
2. To preserve and maintain our valuable soil resources.
3. To promote a positive conservation ethic.
4. To protect and enhance diverse wildlife habitat.
To achieve these goals, the LCD offers conservation funding programs that provide a major role in assistance to landowners in protecting our valuable farmland, soil and water resources. Programs include:
- Land and Water Resource Management (LWRM)
- County Cost-share which also includes a Buffer Incentive Program, Cold water Stream Program and Invasive Species Program.
- Segregated (SEG) program offering cost-share for nutrient management planning.
Additional Programs and Information
The Land Conservation and Planning Department offers a variety of programs and maintains various properties including:
| Federal, State, and County Soil & Water Conservation | Maintain County Parks & Shooting Range |
| Farmland Preservation & Conservation Reserve Enhancement Programs | Manage Holden Park Campground |
| Native Tree & Shrub Sale, Tree Planter Rental | Issue Manure Storage Permits |
| Wildlife Damage Program | Earth Day Conservation Grocery Bag Project |
| Snowmobile Trail Program | Conservation Poster & Speaking Contest |
| Community Outreach | Conservation Field Day for Middle Schoolers |
| NR 135 Nonmetallic Mining Reclamation | Stream Monitoring |
| PL566 Watershed Structures | Land Judging |
The LCPD has a welcoming partnership with Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), UW-Extension, Zoning and Land Management, DNR and Recycling and Solid Waste Departments. The LCPEC and LCPD strive to get the message out to the community on conservation ethics and what can be done to be good stewards of the land. Both committee and department are passionate on continuing to spread the conservation messages in any way possible and look forward to continuing their goals to accomplish this.