Tom Roessler updated the Mower County Board of Commissioners Tuesday.

Roessler, assisted by district manager Bev Nordby, discussed the conservation practices of the Mower County Soil and Water Conservation District.

Roessler made a pitch for encouraging conservation practices. He said they help trap flood water, hold sediment in place and prevent it from filling roadside ditches, improve water quality and enhance wildlife habitat.

When he reviewed conservation practices, the commissioners joined the discussion.

After spending thousands to clean Judicial Ditch No. 26 in Lansing Township, the same area is being the target of a private wetlands restoration effort by two landowners.

The result will be a 53-acre pond of standing water as well as several practices designed to restore the wetlands.

Many of the conservation practices being assisted by the SWCD are in the watershed along Turtle Creek and the Cedar River north of Austin, Roessler said.

Marginal farmland taken out of production becomes attractive to out-of-state buyers who pay premium prices for the land to have a private hunting preserve.

However, Ray Tucker, 2nd District, argued it is unfair when taxes are paid. The county, when it funds a judicial system cleanup, does not always get back in property taxes the amount expended for the system improvements.

The discussion went back and forth between Roessler and Nordby and the commissioners.

Another quarterly update on SWCD practices will be made later this year.

This year, the SWCD is observing its 50th anniversary.

Public health praised

Also Tuesday, the county commissioners heard Margene Gunderson discuss National Public Health Week.

Gunderson, director of the Mower County Public Health Nursing Service, introduced Ruth Biederman, Dorothy Meyer and Lisa Kocer. The trio and Gunderson told the commissioners about their work.

Biederman, a public health nurse for 14 years, called her work "the best job in the world." She specializes in home health care.

Meyer, a former elementary school nurse, was credited by Gunderson with bringing valuable expertise to her work.

Kocer, a supervisor of the public health nursing service, is a 16-year veteran.

Gunderson, herself a 20-year veteran of public health nursing work, said the trio of Mower County employees were examples of the best in public health workers.

Gunderson had the county board chairman, Garry Ellingson, 5th District, sign a proclamation, declaring April 7-13 National Public Health Week in Mower County.

She credited public health programs and services with helping Americans achieve a significant increase in their life expectancy.

According to Gunderson, public health efforts "identify and address" chronic disease, illness and injury while also setting good nutritional standards, offering valuable prenatal care to mothers and ensuring the health of children through vaccination and immunization programs.

Gunderson thanked the county commissioners for their support of public health efforts and Ellingson thanked Gunderson for her leadership.

Lee Bonorden can be reached at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :maito:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com