Through 1997 Act 27 and 1999 Act 9, the Wisconsin legislature established the land and water resource management (LWRM) planning program, (Wis. stats. Ch. 92). This program is the primary statewide vehicle for implementing conservation practices as identified in Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Administrative Rules (ATCP 50).

Under this program, counties are required to develop land and water resource management plans for the purpose of conserving soil and water resources. Every 5 years, counties must revise these plans and are scheduled to present these revisions to the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Board (LWCB). The LWCB is responsible for recommending the plans for approval by the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Only counties with DATCP-approved land and water resource management plans are eligible to receive annual funding through the soil and water resource management grant program.

In developing the plans, DATCP planners are available to provide plan development assistance. The plans must be developed through a locally led process that identifies local needs and priorities. In addition, plans must describe how a county will implement runoff control standards for farms and urban areas. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website provides information on managing nonpoint source pollution runoff.

Each year, DATCP and DNR must develop and present an annual report to the Land and Water Conservation Board on the progress made in implementing land and water conservation programs throughout Wisconsin.