(A) The residents of the City of Medford and certain residents in the surrounding town depend exclusively on groundwater for a safe drinking water supply. Certain land use practices and activities seriously threaten or degrade groundwater quality. The purpose of the ordinance is to protect the City’s municipal water supply and areas from which the City wells draw water, and to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of the City and the surrounding town.
(B) These regulations are established pursuant to the authority granted by 42 U.S.C. § 300h-7 and Wis. Stats. §§ 62.23, 66.0415 and 281.62(2)(a)5., and pursuant to the authority granted by the Wisconsin Legislature in 1983 Wisconsin Act 410 (effective May 11, 1984), which specifically added groundwater protection to the statutory authorization for municipal planning and zoning in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. Areas appropriate for protection in the ordinance are established in the Well Head Protection Plan for the City of Medford, Wisconsin prepared by AECOM (the “Plan”).
(Ord. 1028, passed 12-5-17)