Against town zoning plan

TO THE EDITOR:

On Jan. 31, the residents of the town of Martell will be asked to accept or reject a proposal by the Town Board to allow the town to zone.

The intent of this change is to allow the town to regulate large animal confinement operations more stringently than current county zoning or state DNR regulations do.

Martell has adopted county zoning - a process whereby the town spent several months examining and suggesting changes in the zoning that was eventually adopted.

I feel that allowing the town to impose more regulations on the agricultural community is not a good idea because: 1) The regulations in the Pierce County zoning code are adequate with respect to large animal operations; 2) The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will soon be presenting new regulations concerning large animal operations that will place greater restrictions on all farm livestock operations; and 3) The town of Martell cannot afford to implement and enforce the proposed changes.

Any changes stricter than county zoning must be regulated and enforced by the town.

I encourage all Martell residents to attend this meeting and voice their opinion.

Roger Wiff

town of Martell