March 25, 2026
By JULIA BUSKIRK – VernonReporter
VERNON COUNTY, Wis. – Modernized and enhanced maps of non-metallic mining across Vernon County by the Land and Water Conservation Department reveal that several non-metallic mining operations in Vernon County are extracting beyond their permitted limits.
Non-metallic mines refer to the extraction of stone, rock, sand or similar material, the most common being quarries and pits. In Vernon County, 47 such quarries exist, encompassing 538.5 acres of disturbed land.
The Vernon County Land and Water Conservation Department is responsible for regulating non-metallic mining operations including mine siting, reclamation activities, and ensuring they meet Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources statewide standards.
New tools create more accurate maps of non-metallic mines throughout the county
Samer Kharbush, Watershed Planner of the Vernon County Land and Water Conservation Department is enacting modern tools to enhance the county’s ability to oversee permits and quarry owner’s adherence to them.
Kharbush uses Geographic Information System (GIS), a computer-based framework for capturing, storing, managing, analyzing, and displaying data that is tied to specific locations on Earth. He is able to create incredibly accurate maps of boundaries specified in permits, which he overlays on aerial footage of these quarries.
“I digitized all the quarry boundaries,” said Kharbush. “A lot of these are hand drawn in our files. So kind of hard to tell if somebody is operating outside of their boundaries.”
This winter, Kharbush also flew drones borrowed from the Bad Ax watershed to get up-to-date footage of quarries across the county.
“[Department staff] used to walk around with the GPS around the perimeter of each one of these quarries, and you can only get a couple done in a day that way,” said Kharbush.
Now, with a drone, Kharbush is able to capture the entire quarry, some nearly 50 acres, within minutes.
“The time you just saved!” said Supervisor Nathaniel Slack, who is on the County Conservation and Education Committee.
Drone footage allows Kharbush to make complete replicas of the quarries, and create updated and more accurate maps that clearly delineate permit lines and on-the-ground excavation boundaries.
Updated maps have revealed several quarries are out of compliance
“I’ve realized quite a few of the quarries, they’re not quite inside their boundaries,” said Kharbush. “We’re getting those up to date.”
Aerial drone photos eliminate debate over property lines and compliance.
“It makes it a lot easier to show the operator things I want them to change,” said Kharbush. “I do not have to catch everything in the few minutes I am out there.”
“That is just great evidence for that quarry person,” said Supervisor Henry referring to the updated maps. “We had a hard time knowing before, but it is pretty obvious now.”
“I am sitting there with accurate photos and their boundaries,” said Kharbush. “So they should be a lot more straightforward for everyone and that is going to be really great information to support the legality of fining people”.
Holding non-compliant mines accountable
The Land & Water Conservation Department is asking non-metallic mining operations currently out of compliance to update their reclamation plan which refers to their mine’s plan for remediation post-extraction to reflect the added extraction. Kharbush said mines that are not in compliance could be cited by the county if they are not brought back into compliance.
Mines have responded differently to the updated maps.
“It depends and they are somewhat receptive,” said Kharbush. “We have one noncompliance right now and they have not updated their reclamation plan and I have given them way more time than I should have so far this year.”
Kharbush noted that the department is preparing to take stricter enforcement actions against the violators, including fines, which typically range from $1,000-$5,000 depending on the severity of the offense, and can be set to accrue daily. Exact amounts will be set based on common practices amongst nearby counties and municipalities. The Department of Natural Resources occasionally audits local governments to insure they don’t overcharge operators.
“We are getting to the point of fines,” said Kharbush, referring to one of their mines currently out of compliance. “And a second one will probably be issued now too.”
While some mines have been unresponsive, others are working to right their non-compliance.
“Other operators have been receptive,” said Kharbush, “they’re willing to make it right.”
Kharbush said he is still gathering information and working with operators and will present the exact number of non-metallic mines out of compliance at a future Vernon County Conservation and Education Committee meeting.
Past issues with quarry operators in Vernon County
Supervisor Mary Henry worries that certain operators may take advantage of local governments.
“They’re taking advantage of a situation,” she said at the Conservation & Education Committee Meeting discussing the updated non-metallic mining maps.
Supervisor Dave Eggen explained that using local ordinances can be an effective way to manage quarries and their reclamation processes.
Eggen recalled a proposed quarry expansion in his township in 2022, which the township disapproved of.
“Four years ago, we got into a disagreement,” said Eggen. “We went a step further and passed an ordinance disallowing any quarrying in the town other than a farm might have their own sand pit.”
“You can use the government as a good tool,” said Eggen.
Juila Buskirk is a graduate of UW-Madison where she studied conservation biology and journalism. She currently writes, paints, and reports in Southwestern Wisconsin.
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