Planning the Rock Issue Team
Strengthening agriculture and enhancing natural resources while encouraging sensible growth
This team (originally called the Rural Development Issue Team) is focused on helping communities make good decisions about growth and development. They have offered conservation subdivision design workshops and co-sponsored Changing Landscapes Workshops which evaluated computer decision-support software.
One key accomplishment is the 2003 Rock River Coalition Rural Development Policies and Guidelines Manual. The manual promotes new development near existing development, provides reasons to focus development and gives ideas to promote agriculture. The RRC believes that by using these guidelines and policies we can protect our agricultural industry and environmental health while allowing for reasonable residential development in the basin.
As a result of the work on the manual, the RRC received a 2004 Wisconsin’s Top Rural Development Initiatives Award from Wisconsin Rural Partners.
The team continues to work with townships and planners on ideas for protecting the agricultural base of their rural communities. 2005 goals include:
- Working with the Town and Country RC&D on biodiesel education
- Working on ways to develop a River Friendly Farmer Program and a Green Subdivision Certificate Program
- Developing a strategy session with area planners and parks departments on utilizing the Land Legacy report to protect important conservation and environmental regions in the basin
- Continuing to promote ideas contained in the Rural Development Guidelines and Policies Manual
- Offering education programs on ideas such as cost of community service or impact fees
- Providing information on sources of assistance and grants.
Rural Development Guidelines and Policies Manual
2004 Rural Development Forum Report (doc 61KB)
Proceedings of “Changing Landscapes 2:
Land Use Workshop
Land Use Links
Planning the Rock Issue Team Members
- Jim Congdon, WDNR Upper Rock Water Team Leader
- Ken Johnson, WDNR Lower Rock Basin Water Team Leader
- Ruth Johnson, WDNR Rock River Watershed Planner
- Suzanne Wade, UWEX Rock River Basin Educator
- Margaret Burlingham, LanDesign by Margaret Burlingham LLC
- David Carpenter, Dodge County Zoning Director
- Gloria Hafemeister, Watertown Daily Times
- Daphne Holtermann, Rosy-Lane Holsteins LLC
- Ken Rowley, Walworth County Farm Bureau Board Member
If you would like to join an issue team, or would like to receive more information about joining a team, contact Suzanne Wade, call (920) 674-7297, or print out the contact form and follow the directions on the form to return it.
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