Imagine owning land your family has worked for years, only to have the government facilitate someone coming in and destroying part of it without your permission. That’s exactly what happened to Pauline Sellner and her family in Brown County. The Sellners planted a row of trees as a windbreak between their farmland and a conservation easement funded by the state. Without asking, a contractor for a group managing a conservation easement cut the trees, damaged the land, and left the family to deal with the fallout.
When the Sellners tried to seek justice, they hit wall after wall. The sheriff wouldn’t take a report, claiming the county attorney wouldn’t press charges. Their only option was to file a civil lawsuit. What should have been a simple matter turned into a costly battle involving five different parties, including the state Attorney General’s office. In the end, the family only received compensation for the logs, not for the loss of their windbreak or the damage to their field.
I introduced a bill, Senate File 106, specifically to prevent stories like this. This bill would require any project using Legacy funds to notify landowners before starting work, get approval before stepping onto private property, and fully pay for any damages caused. It also ensures neighbors have a chance to voice concerns at public meetings before projects begin. At its core, this is about protecting your private property rights above the will of government.
It is also about fairness. Landowners deserve to know their property is protected, and taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for unnecessary legal battles. This bill is simple common sense, and I’m hopeful it will make a difference for families like the Sellners.
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