|
Agricultural, Natural
and Cultural Resources Agricultural Resources Introduction An agricultural sub-committee was created to analyze
the town’s agricultural resources. This section of the plan is a direct
result of the work performed by that committee. A complete Agricultural Narrative of their work
can be found in Appendix
C. The residents of the Town of Spring Brook are concerned
about the livelihood of our agricultural neighbors. In general, the
town has not experienced major conflicts with the non-farm residents.
However, there is concern about how future growth will impact the agricultural
community. To accommodate future
agricultural growth the Town identified and inventoried large blocks
of productive land. The town should encourage expansion of agriculture
in these areas. The Town recognizes the history of farming, the desire
of current residents to maintain the rural character of the town, and
the need to support diverse farming practices. Addressing and resolving
these concerns offers a significant challenge since landowners in this
unzoned town are free to quit farming and have their land divided into
any number of parcels. Selected Survey Results Citizen input via open houses, visioning sessions, and
surveys recommends minimal restrictions on land use, but they also want
farms to survive because "they like it the way it is." These two expectations could very well be contradictory,
particularly when land has more value for rural residences and recreation
use than for production agriculture.
The following are selected survey questions from the first landowner
survey with these results:
Question
number five from the second landowner survey: 5. Our township is unique in that it has a large area
of flat/open land ideal for raising agricultural crops. The land use
map that has been developed by the agriculture subcommittee indicates
70% or more of the land in our township is currently used for agriculture.
Would you like to see ordinances enacted to limit residential development
of agricultural land in the Town of Spring Brook? Yes/No Yes – 141
(64%) No – 66 (30%) No Response – 13 (6%) Background and History In the 1860’s to the early 1900’s, land ownership in
the township was a combination of homestead and purchased railroad land. Families chose land near water, a spring fed
pond, or a creek or land that was swampy. This was needed to provide
water for the livestock and family.
The The 1930’s signaled a change in agriculture in the Town
of Spring Brook. Horse drawn
equipment was giving way to small tractors.
Families that had been able to hold their farms together during
the depression were feeling a bit more prosperous and were looking forward
to adding mechanization to increase productivity by the end of the decade. The farms were diverse, and most included cows,
hogs, chickens, or horses. Crops
were produced to feed the livestock.
The farm was sustainable in nature, the entire family was employed,
and very little was purchased. The
only cash the family had to pay real estate taxes and make outside purchases
came from what little excess production the farm had. In the 1940’s, prices increased and prosperity returned
to farms in Spring Brook as well as the rest of Agricultural productivity continued to increase. The decade of the 1960’s saw an increased use
of crop inputs, better hybrid seeds, fertilizers and pesticides. Sprinkler irrigation came to the township in
1966. The previously unproductive
sandy loam soil of the Fall City Prairie blossomed with water. In the mid-1960’s, the Federal government formulated
an Ag Policy that encouraged Residential homes started to appear in the 1970’s.
City people seeking cheap land to build homes on moved into the
country. Agricultural technology
helped land that previously had limited production increase outputs.
Irrigation expanded, farms and equipment got bigger, and the
value of prime farmland rose dramatically.
Heavy soils were no longer the most prized.
Irrigated, sandy, well-drained soils combined with technological
improvements were more productive and were in higher demand as farm
size grew. As cash crop farming grew in the township, animal
production declined. Dairy farms continued to decrease through the 1980’s,
1990’s and early into 2000. Few
dairy farms were passed on to the next generation.
As profit margins dwindled, dairy farmers either rented or sold
their land and took jobs in town. Their
life style improved. They worked
less hours, had more money, and received fringe benefits.
These were all things that a small dairy farm could not easily
provide. Specialty crop farms
producing kidney beans, potatoes and horseradish grew while rotating
land with traditional grain crops such as corn and soybeans. City people, envisioning an idyllic life style,
continued to move to the country. Homes
were being built primarily on the land least suited for agricultural
production. Twenty years from now there will be less land farmed
in the Town of Spring Brook. As
farmers age, they will be more interested in selling their land for
development rather than for production agriculture.
It’s not uncommon to hear a farmer say that their land is their
401K. The profits they made from farming were plowed
back into the farm instead of into a retirement account. They intend to maximize the value of that investment
as they reach retirement age. More
residences will be built as city people want to live in the country
and enjoy nature. Highly productive, irrigated land will continue to be
farmed. If current trends continue,
farms will be larger in size and may have diversified into some type
of processing that will add value to the crops they grow. Productive farmland has been defined, identified and
mapped (see Appendix E). The USDA-Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Dunn County Land Conservation Office
assisted in identifying important farmland by using the Dunn County
Soil Survey. The program that
was used to determine important farmland is called LESA, which stands
for Land Evaluation and Site Assessment. The Land Evaluation and Site Assessment system
was developed by the USDA-NRCS in collaboration with land use planners
from Soil quality factors are grouped under Land Evaluation
(LE). The other factors are grouped
under Site Assessment (SA). The
SA factors are of three types: non-soil
factors related to agricultural use of a site, factors related to development
pressures, and other public values of a site.
Site assessment factors include:
“SA-1” factors other than soil-based qualities measuring limitations
on agricultural productivity or farm practices; “SA-2” factors measuring
development pressure or land conversion; and, “SA-3” factors measuring
other public values such as historic or scenic values. The Land Evaluation (LE) component of the Land Evaluation
and Site Assessment (LESA) system rates the soil-based qualities for
agricultural use. The four common
kinds of classifications used for land evaluation are land capability
classes, soil productivity ratings, soil potential ratings, and important
farmland classes. High and Medium
Production Soils For purposes of comprehensive planning, soils are considered
to be of high or medium production if they meet 3 criteria: 1)
Considered to be “Prime Farmland”: This factor
is defined in the USDA-NRCS-Wisconsin Technical Guide, Section 2, Dunn
County Cropland Interpretations-Prime Farmland, Pages 1-2, Dated
2) Productivity for Corn: This factor
is from the USDA-NRCS-Wisconsin Technical Guide, Section 2, Dunn County
Cropland Interpretations-Yields Per Acre, Pages
1-13, Dated 3) Capability
Class: Land capability classes are practical groupings
of soil limitations based on such characteristics as erosion hazard,
droughtiness, wetness, stoniness, and response to management.
Classes range from I to VIII.
These classes reflect the land’s relative suitability for crops,
grazing, forestry, and wildlife. Generally, soils with a Capability Class of
I and II are considered to be of high agricultural importance. Soils with a Capability Class of III are considered
to be of medium importance, and soils with a Class greater than IV are
poorly suited for agriculture production.
These factors are from the USDA-NRCS-Wisconsin Technical Guide,
Section 2, Dunn County Soil Descriptions Non-Technical, Pages 1-26,
Dated These 3 factors were combined in a mathematical formula
with a maximum score of 100 points.
Prime farmland represents 10% of the score. Production for corn represents 45% of the score,
and Capability Class represents 45% of the score. See Appendix
E “Soil Productivity Map” of soils of high and medium production. Recommendations See Policies and Programs in the Implementation Section Natural Resources Introduction The Town of Spring
Brook is representative of the prairie topography that borders the The Town has one
of the two prairie lakes that are mapped in The primary natural resources are soil, water and air.
Other resources such as fish, forestry, and wildlife, although
commonly thought of as primary, are in fact secondary resources.
It is the interrelationships of these primary resources that
determines what plant and animal life can be sustained and thrive.
The other primary resource that is often ignored is the human
resource because it dominates all others.
The decisions that have been made in the past and the ones that
are being made today ultimately determine the future of all other natural
resources. Primary and secondary resources serve as the community
infrastructure and are often generalized in a term called rural character.
These resources provide not only aesthetic and recreational opportunities
for many of those who desire to live or own property in the town but
the loss of the functional ability and value of these resources has
the potential to negatively affect the well being of individual landowners,
and the community as a whole. Development patterns should take into consideration
its impact on the community’s resources. Development policies should
be compatible with, and limit the degradation of, these resources. This section discusses the influence of the town’s natural
resources as part of the decision making process. The significant
resources of the Town of Spring Brook have been identified and, when
possible, mapped. Mapped resources include productive soils, surface
water, water quality management areas, steep slopes, wetlands, areas
that are occasionally and frequently flooded, and woodlands that are
greater than 10 acres. Selected Survey
Results
Primary Resources Soil Soil is the top layer of the earth suitable for the
growth of plants. It is formed from rocks very slowly. When large sheets of ice (glaciers) moved over
the land thousands of years ago, they ground rocks together, rubbing
off tremendous quantities of rock particles of all sizes. Much of the
north central Changes in temperature also help make soil. Freezing
water expands with tremendous force.
Water that finds its way into cracks in the rocks freezes and
breaks the rocks into smaller and smaller pieces. Most of the soils
we see today developed from rock material that was moved by water or
wind either after this “weathering process” or while it was going on.
The dark, deep layer of topsoil is the product of centuries of weathering,
accumulation of plant and animal remains, and the work of many living
organisms. The less fertile subsoil,
which is lighter in color, has little or no organic matter. Soils in the town have been analyzed using information
provided by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and Dunn
County Land Conservation Department (LCD). Understanding the importance
of the soils present within the town is important because of the limitations
that soils can have on type and location of development. Soil characteristics include slope of the land, depth
to bedrock and depth to groundwater. These characteristics are interpreted
to help identify areas with limited septic suitability and areas with
steep slopes. Failed or improperly constructed septic systems can
raise nitrate levels and pollute groundwater. Currently septic system
design and installation requirements are regulated locally through Disturbing steep slopes through agricultural or development
practices can cause soil loss through erosion. As soil erodes it depletes
the productivity of the soil and the displaced soil is carried to streams,
rivers and lakes where this sediment and the nutrients negatively affect
water quality. The most important factors influencing erosion are the
intensity and duration of rainfall, the erodibility
of the soil, length of slope, slope angle, soil cover and erosion control
practices. Areas
of steep slope are mapped in Appendix E and further
described in the Land Use section. Soil
Erosion Much of the land
on the Fall City Prairie is more susceptible to wind erosion than water
erosion because of the lack of woodlands to provide shelter from the
winds. See Appendix
for NR151 ( Prevention and management of soil loss is easier and
less costly than removal and reconstruction practices. The long term
productivity of the soil can be protected by keeping soil loss below
tolerable soil loss (T) levels. Tolerable
soil loss is the quantity of soil that can be lost but is also being
replaced by natural processes. Conservation of soil maintains water
quality and provides a sustainable resource for the continued production
of food and fiber. Additional information regarding water quality and
controlling soil loss is listed in the Policies and Programs section
of the Implementation element. Water Water is the second primary resource. All life requires it for survival. It is also the most limiting factor affecting
plant growth throughout much of the world.
Water is best understood in what is referred to as the Hydrologic
cycle. This term refers to the
cycling of water from the atmosphere to the ground and back again. Water travels along one of many paths before
returning to the atmosphere through evaporation. It may remain on the earth’s surface, infiltrate
the soil, or run off into swamps, streams, lakes, or reservoirs. Water entering the soil may be stored in the
soil, used by plants, or continue moving downward through the soil or
rock to the groundwater. Groundwater
moves laterally to lakes, springs, streams, and rivers where it eventually
returns to the surface. Water
at the surface of soil or water bodies evaporates and returns to the
atmosphere where it forms clouds and eventually returns to the surface
as precipitation. Although hydrology refers to both surface and groundwater,
for purposes of this plan and mapping, it refers to those lakes, rivers
and streams which are designated on the 7.5 Minute USGS Topographic
Maps. The quality and quantity of
both ground and surface water is essential to the well being of all
living things. These primary resources should be protected and preserved
for present and future residents. While
not directly named as such many of the maps in Appendix E delineate these resources. Surface Water Lakes and rivers are the primary
components of surface waters in the town. Surface waters are all of
the water features, standing still or flowing, navigable or intermittent,
which collect and channel overland rainwater or snow-melt runoff. The most obvious surface waters
are rivers, streams and lakes. These are important to the environment
and as recreational and scenic assets. The primary surface water bodies
in the town are Groundwater The main source of potable water in the town is from
groundwater. This is important because the type and intensity of development
can have a negative impact on groundwater quality. It is important to
understand the connection between groundwater and other water resources.
Groundwater moves by gravity from areas of recharge down the hydraulic
gradient to areas of discharge. Recharge
occurs over most of the County, and generally the hydraulic gradient
is from topographically high to topographically low areas.
Therefore, groundwater is moving through the water-bearing rocks
from the water divides in the highland areas and discharges to the surface
as lakes, rivers and streams. Groundwater can also travel to and through geologic
formations that store and transmit water called aquifers. The principle
aquifer in the town is a sandstone aquifer. Since sandstones are porous,
they are susceptible to contamination in areas where this fractured
rock occurs at or near the surface, especially where there is little
or no soil to attenuate the contaminants.
Anything people spread, spill or dump on the ground can enter
into and affect the quality of the groundwater.
Contamination of water not only affects the quality of life but
the survival of life. Although no specific
maps are available at the town or county level showing groundwater,
other than soils attenuation maps or groundwater elevations based on
USGS topographic maps, it is known that groundwater tends to be localized,
often following the same watershed boundaries as surface water. Appendix
E has a groundwater recharge map. This map indicates areas around
the town where groundwater recharge is excellent to poor. In areas of
high groundwater recharge special attention should be made with regards
to contamination issues, since these areas are more susceptible to conveying
contaminants into the groundwater. Air The third primary resource is air. This is what allows life on planet earth.
Because air is all around us it is often taken for granted and
abused. Air is not just an issue
of quantity but more importantly quality. Our air consists primarily of oxygen and nitrogen in
addition to small amounts of other gases.
Clean air is essential to our health, because it provides the
necessary oxygen to sustain life. Air pollution is the presence of contaminants or substances
in the air that are harmful to people, plants, animals, or can affect
welfare. Air pollution is a global health issue of growing concern.
It contributes to acid rain formation, ozone depletion, and climate
change. Air pollution not only
harms buildings and plant life but it negatively impacts human health
as well. Though generally thought
of as an urban issue, it poses a health threat in rural areas as well. Secondary Resources Resources such as fish, forestry and wildlife are considered
secondary because they are dependent on the primary resources. Other land and water features are considered
environmentally sensitive because they are fragile areas that can be
easily impacted by human activity. These
areas have been defined and mapped so they can be given careful consideration
in the Comprehensive Plan. Topography Topography is the shape or 3D characteristics of the
land surface. Surface topography is controlled by the underlying geology.
Important Agricultural
Land Agriculture is a dominant land use activity in the town
and throughout Wetlands Wetlands are a significant environmental resource and
are regulated by a complex set of local, state and federal regulations.
Counties are mandated to establish shoreland-wetland
zoning districts. Dunn County Comprehensive Ordinances regulates use
and development in all shoreland areas within
300 feet of a navigable stream and within 1000 feet of lakes including
all wetlands designated on the Wisconsin Wetland Inventory maps. In
addition to county and WDNR regulations the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
has authority of placement of fill materials in wetlands. Wetlands are a valuable resource because they store
flood waters, filter sediment and nutrients, and serve as groundwater
recharge areas. These are areas that have hydric soils (water at or
near the surface through most of the growing season) and support hydophytic
vegetation (plants that thrive in wet conditions). Additional information
regarding wetlands is found in the Land Use section of the plan as well
as being mapped in Appendix E. Ultimately, development within a wetland
should be avoided. Floodplains Similar to wetlands, floodplains provide many ecological
and social benefits and pose a severe constraint for development; therefore
local, state and federal regulations have been established to limit
uses and activities within floodplains. Development within a floodplain
should be limited to those uses associated with the floodplain, such
as recreation or wildlife applications. Additional verification to determine
whether or not a given area is in the floodplain may be necessary before
development is authorized or denied. Floodplains are lands that are generally adjacent to
creeks, rivers, lakes, and wetlands and that are susceptible to flood
flow (floodway) or areas of slack water (flood fringe). For purposes of this plan, it includes areas
which are subject to occasional or frequent flooding (based on soils).
Additional information regarding floodplains is found in the Land Use
section of the plan as well as being mapped in Appendix E. Woodlands Woodland areas provide the majority of wildlife habitat
in the town, and also is a visual component which helps define the town’s
rural character. Two different sizes of woodlands had special significance
when preparing this plan. The
first was woodlands that are 10 acres or greater in size. Ten acres is the minimum acreage that can be
enrolled in the State’s Managed Forest Program and loggers generally
don’t like to harvest acreages smaller than this unless they hold exceptionally
high quality timber. The second
significant acreage was 400 contiguous acres of woodland. Woodlands
are attractive areas for development. However large tracts of woodlands
should remain intact for their environmental significance. Programs are available to private landowners to help
preserve the town’s woodland resources. These programs include; Wisconsin
Managed Forest Law (MFL) and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
They encourage tree planting and the sustained management of woodland
resources. Woodlands are mapped in Appendix E. Information regarding
these programs is available through the Dunn County Soil Conservation
Department and through the WDNR. Wildlife Habitat All land and water, whether cropland, woodland, wetlands,
rivers and streams, floodplains, and even residential yards, supports
wildlife. Common types of wildlife
found in the town are deer and black bear; small game such as rabbits
and squirrels; upland birds such as turkeys and ruffed grouse; a large
variety of songbirds and waterfowl; birds of prey such as owls, red-tailed
hawks and eagles; and, fur bearing animals such as raccoon, opossum,
beaver, mink, red and gray fox, badgers and coyote. When habitat is lost or changes it affects the diversity and numbers of species. A
diverse and plentiful wildlife population will continue in the town
if it is managed at least to its current levels. However, if large tracts
of land become developed, it could change the diversity of wildlife. Loss of habitat is the primary reason species become
threatened or endangered. When a species habitat is compromised it must
move on to find suitable food, water and space or it will die. Protection
of wildlife habitat should be an important consideration for future
land use planning. While not directly named as such many of the maps
in Appendix E are areas of wildlife habitat. In addition to
Agriculture, Natural and Cultural Resources being a required element
of a Comprehensive Plan, every county in the State of Endangered Resources The Endangered Resources Program works to conserve Wisconsin’s Endangered Species These are any species whose continued existence as a
viable component of the State’s wild animals or wild plants inventory
is determined by the Department of Natural Resources to be in jeopardy
on the basis of scientific evidence. Wisconsin’s Threatened Species These are any species which appears likely within the
foreseeable future, on the basis of scientific evidence, to become endangered.
No threatened
or endangered species are known to exist within the Township. For additional information, contact local DNR
representatives. Nonmetallic
Mining Deposits The town has sand and gravel deposits primarily along
river and stream corridors and on outwash plains. Protecting sandy outwash soils for farmland
because of the cropping potential (if it is irrigated) may be an important
issue for future agricultural expansion in the town. Recommendations See Policies and Programs in the Implementation Section Summary The existence of natural barriers
in the physical environment act as constraints on the type and location
of development in the town. In a number of situations, some of these barriers
can be overcome by development practices but may become extensive and
costly. However, it may be wise to encourage development in areas where
public utilities and facilities can be maximized and where limiting
factors to development can be minimized or avoided. It is important
to note that the materials contained in this section are generalized
for planning purposes and do not replace the need for site specific
evaluation. Many of the issues discussed in this section have become
goals, objectives or policies and can be found in the Implementation
section of the plan. Cultural Resources See Points of Interest Map in Appendix
E. |