The Importance of Sustainability

Sustainability is relevant to all elements of the County’s operations. It’s vital that residents, staff, and elected officials consider the effects public and private decisions may have on sustainability when setting policies and allocating limited resources.

Results of public engagement performed during the County’s comprehensive plan update indicate that improving county-wide sustainability is residents’ highest priority.

As both stewards, and consumers, of our valuable natural resources, La Crosse County has a particular responsibility to:

• Reduce use of products that contribute to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,
• Prepare for, and adapt to, changing climate conditions,
• Facilitate adoption of modern transportation and renewable energy technologies,
• Lessen human-induced impacts to the environment,
• Promote smart growth of existing urban landscapes, and
• Ensure the needs of citizens are met equitably, efficiently, and cost effectively.

Climate Action

La Crosse County and its residents recognize the need to proactively mitigate the impacts the climate change. Through implementation of policies, initiatives, and public investment, La Crosse County intends to make great strides in local sustainability. La Crosse County’s multi-faceted approach to climate action is in development and will include:

• Promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency
• Reducing GHG emissions
• Reducing solid waste and increasing recycling
• Public education
• Environmental conservation and natural resource protection
• Supporting alternative modes of transportation
• Efficient and responsible land use

If you have comments or questions regarding the County’s approach to climate action planning, please contact:

Dillon Constant, County Planner
[email protected]
608-789-7806

La Crosse County Sustainability Projects

• 1980 - Farmland Preservation Program Adopted
• 1984 - Floodplain Zoning Standards Adopted
• 1985 - Shoreland Zoning Standards Adopted 
• 1988 - Xcel Refuse Derived Fuel partnership with La Crosse County Landfill 
• 2007 - Resolution #34-6/07 Designated La Crosse County as an Eco-County and Allocated Funds for a Sustainability Strategic Plan 
• 2008 - “Natural Step” County Collaboration Conference and Trainings  
• 2008 – Resolution 36-8/08 Established A Sustainable Provision in County Purchasing Policy 
• 2009 - City-County Joint Sustainability Strategic Plan Adopted 
• 2010 - First County Sustainability Coordinator Hired  
• 2012 - Base Farm Tract Farmland Preservation Zoning Adopted  
• 2013 - Gundersen Health System Waste to Energy Partnership with La Crosse County Landfill  
• 2019 - Grow Solar La Crosse Group Buy Partnership with City of La Crosse 
• 2020 - Resolution #21-8/20 Establishing Goal to Achieve Carbon Neutrality for All County Facilities by 2050 Adopted  
• 2022 - Comprehensive Plan Identifying Sustainability as a Top Priority Adopted  
• 2022 - County Awards $1,300,000 in Stormwater Management Grants to Towns  
• 2023 - County Board Approved Construction of Solar Energy Construction to Produce 740 kW of Renewable Energy at 6 County Facilities  
• 2023 - Joined Wisconsin Local Governments Climate Coalition (WLGCC) 
• 2023 – County Staff Completed the La Crosse County Climate Action Plan - Part 1: Operations Plan. 
• 1/1/2019 – 5/1/2023 181 Solar Energy Installations Permitted.