There is an almost constant push for highway and other public development in Wisconsin. Often these development projects cut into valuable farmland.

Agricultural impact statements analyze the potential impact of public construction projects on farmland and farm operations and recommend ways to lessen those impacts. Examples of public construction projects include highway expansions, the placement of utility transmission lines, construction of pipelines, or the building of wastewater treatment plants, for example.

An agricultural impact statement is required when the builders of a public construction project have the power to condemn property (eminent domain) and will acquire more than five acres of land from any farm operation.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection may prepare an agricultural impact statement if an acquisition of less than five acres will have a significant impact on a farm operation.

An agricultural impact statement is different from an environmental impact statement (EIS) since it evaluates only the impacts of a project on farm operations. When possible, the EIS for a project involving impacts on farmland includes an agricultural impact portion prepared by the state agriculture department.

Our authority is guided by Chapter 32.035, Wisconsin Statutes. For more information, call 608-224-4650 or send email.

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