Feedlots
Stearns County is delegated by the State of Minnesota to administer the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Feedlot Program. Our County Feedlot Officers (CFO) work to assist the County’s livestock producers in meeting State regulations and County ordinances while protecting water quality. Our staff assists with feedlot registration, conditional use permits, variances, construction permits, feedlot evaluations, inspections and information and education. There are 2,085 feedlots in Stearns County with 10 or more animal units. Of these feedlots, the State requires 1,539 register.
CFOs are assigned townships to reduce travel time and become more familiar with their assigned area, but any CFO can assist you. Staff persons are available during normal business hours to assist you and can be reached by calling the Environmental Services Deparment at 320.656.3613 or 1.800.450.0852.
| Richard Gruenes | Allison Remer | Becky Schlorf Von Holdt |
| Albany | Collegeville | LeSauk |
| Ashley | Crow Lake | Lynden |
| Avon | Crow River | Rockville |
| Brockway | Eden Lake | St. Augusta |
| Getty | Fairhaven | St. Cloud |
| Grove | Farming | St. Joseph |
| Holding | Lake George |
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| Krain | Lake Henry |
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| Melrose | Luxemburg |
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Millwood
| Maine Prairie |
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Oak
| Munson
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Raymond
| North Fork
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Sauk Centre
| Paynesville | |
St. Wendel
| Spring Hill
| |
| | St. Martin
| |
| | Wakefield | |
| | Zion | |
Click to view a map of the CFO coverage area.
View Feedlot Program annual reports.
Water Planning
The Comprehensive Local Water Plan was officially adopted in 1991 by the County Board of Commissioners. The purpose of the plan is to assess the available data on the County's water resources, and from that assessment, identify needs and a strategy for addressing those needs.
Since 1991, Stearns County has seen much urban and rural growth and many landscape changes. Due to this growth and change, the Comprehensive Local Water Plan was updated in 1996, 2002 and in 2008 by the Stearns County Comprehensive Local Water Plan Advisory Committee. Minnesota Statutes Sections 103B.301 and 103B.355 address the development of Comprehensive Local Water Plans and require a periodic update of the plan.
People are welcome to stop in at the Environmental Services' downtown St. Cloud office to view the plan, or contact us to purchase copies on CD-ROM or hard (paper) copy.
Stearns County water quality data reports are also available at the Stearns County Soil & Water Conservation District web site .
View the Local Water Management Plan
View Local Water Management Program annual activity reports which includes Water Quality Monitoring Reports.
Wetlands
The Environmental Services Department administers the State Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) for all areas of the county except the cities of Roscoe and Sartell. WCA prohibits the draining and filling of wetlands without replacement. In some instances, excavations may also be regulated.
The WCA provides for some exemptions allowing certain activities in wetlands without replacement. Activities within the department include wetland determinations for certain property, reviewing wetland replacement plans for approval and providing certificates of exemptions, when applicable.
NEW ! A Stearns County wetland email account now exists for your wetland-related questions or applications.
View Wetland Conservation Act Program annual reports.