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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation - Resource & Education Committee 11-05-1996ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: IRobert Boche, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Art Jensen, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Land Conservation/Resource & Education Committee DATE: November 5, 1996 TIME: 9:00 a.m. LOCATION: Ag Center, Baldwin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Reports• DNR NRCS FSA RC&D West Central Area Education Activities Farmland Preservation Compliance Priority Watershed Projects - Kinnickinnic — South Fork of Hay River - St. Croix Lakes Cluster Glen Hills Watershed Wildlife Damage Program Baldwin Ag Building Issue Woodville Recreational Trail Mound Dam Removal 1997 Budget WLCA Annual Conference NEW BUSINESS: 1997 Conservation Aids Project Agreement Farmland Preservation Applications Subdivision Review - 11:00 a.m. Vouchers ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: Charles Christenson DATE: October 21, 1996 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA/NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS * ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS/CHANGES Convened: 9:00 a.m. Adjourned: 12:00 p.m. ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND CONSERVATION/RESOURCE & EDUCATION COMMITTEE Agricultural Center, Baldwin, WI November ,,r, 1996 Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Chris Bethke, Jim Cody, Vernon Dull, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond Members Absent: None Staff Present: County Conservationist -Charles Christenson, Technician -Bob Heise, Farmland Preservation Technician -David Sander, Lakes Cluster Project Manager -Pete Kling, South Fork Project - Technician -Kyle Kulow, Secretary -Arlene Lier Others Present: Don Siler-NRCS, Dick Gade-FSA, Molly Hoffman-DNR, Roger Swanson-UW-Extension-River Falls, John Bradley -County Board Member, Leroy Urhammer-Developer-Green Acre Country Estates Meeting called to order by Chairman Art Jensen. Berenschot made motion to adopt agenda. Bethke seconded. Carried. Bethke made motion to approve October 1, 1996 meeting minutes as mailed out. Raymond seconded. Carried. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3,'1996 at 9:00 a.m. DNR Molly Hoffman (Air Management Engineer) attended the meeting and handed out reports: Wildlife Management - Antlerless deer permits: Unit 60M - Issued 2269 permits; Unit 60B - Issued 1625 permits (sold out). Unit 21: 5000 permits available; all issued as Hunter's Choice or bonus through the mail. The archery deer harvest for St. Croix County has increased significantly over the same period last year; 210 total (101 bucks and 109 antlerless) in 1996 compared to 125 total (80 bucks and only 45 antlerless) in 1995. Deer activity is increasing and bonus sales have picked up recently, so hopefully the archers will continue to take more deer. Fish Management - Surveyed Pine Lake (Baldwin) in October. Fishery is developing nicely. Will submit a request to open lake to sport fishing on May 3, 1997. In the process of upgrading Squaw Lake's aerators to graphite vane blowers. These were purchased with county aids money last spring. Work should be complete by the end of the week. Completed comprehensive fishery surveys at 46 sites on the Kinnickinnic River as part of the Priority Watershed Project pre - evaluation effort. Fisheries data is being summarized. The DNR in cooperation with St. Croix County Zoning Administrator have been working on resolving zoning issues as they pertain to fish and wildlife projects. The plan calls for the DNR to submit information to the Board of Adjustments at the November 21, 1996 hearing. An application has been filed. Bass Lake Landing development project will begin shortly. The lake shore has been rip rapped to prevent bank erosion and water quality problems. Air Management - Hoffman reported that she issues area air pollution permits. Currently she is working with Domain Inc. (New Richmond) and McMillan Electric Company (Woodville). Commented that DNR is still in process of reorganizing. NRCS (FORMERLY SCSI Siler handed out and discussed October activity report. All 69 status reviews are complete and have been electronically sent to the state office. FSA (FORMERLY ASCal Gade reported that 1,400 county farms have been enrolled in the AMTA (Agricultural Marketing Transition Act) program. Letters are being sent out asking them whether or not they will be eligible for payment in 1997, and if they want an advance payment. This will create a massive workload for FSA. All leases will have to be in order to be eligible for payment. Must have catastrophic crop insurance, or sign a waiver, to get payment. Another problem, there may be additional producers added to the land. Gade reported that ag building bids were opened on November 4. Negotiation times will be set up and a letter will be going to bidders. County may have "numbers" by December, depending on negotiations. Also reported that there is a heating problem in ag building. The Village of Baldwin will be replacing one furnace within 2-3 weeks. Jensen should be contacted if problem is not resolved. The village indicated they would have temporary heat in place shortly. RC&D Berenschot reported on October meeting held at Jakes Supper Club. Working with Forest Products Lab at Madison on ways to recycle old wood. Reviewed mission. Goal is to promote quality of life. Land use goals - include mining and drilling as one of objectives. Will become more involved with the private sector and the legislature. Need money to work with. Want to work more closely with West Central Area organization. WEST CENTRAL AREA Berenschot, Bethke, Cody, Speaking Contest held on Berenschot commented that speeches. Jensen, and Sander attended Fall Meeting & Wednesday, October 23, at Menomonie. he was very impressed with quality of Roger Swanson reported that he will be attending the state speaking contest on November 9. The posters will also be judged that day. The calendar with winning posters pictured will becoming available for sale. EDUCATION ACTIVITIES Sander thanked Bethke for being a county speaking contest judge. Also judging was Lee Milligan (County Agent) and Brenda Cronk (teacher).. Sander and Kulow taught "soils" to 3rd grade Glenwood City elementary students. Sander taught "woodland management" to Baldwin -Woodville High School on October 16 and 18. He also will be teaching a woodland animal class at a Hudson School on November 11. FARMLAND PRESERVATION COMPLIANCE Sander reported that compliance work has been delayed due to other duties. PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS Kinnickinnic - County Supervisor John Bradley attended meeting. Commented that the Kinnickinnic River is in need of care. Some of the problems are being caused by our own people, referring to the DNR. Clear cutting was done to river's edge with no permit. Read portion of St. Croix County zoning ordinance on shoreline protection. He referred to Jeff Christensen citation (8/27/96) on permit from Board of Adjustment. Matter is serious. If actions are being taken without our knowledge (clear cutting of river edge), action should be taken. Expressed his concern. Raymond commented about Ruemmele property. LCC should take environmental position on sensitive properties. Kulow reported for Project Manager Popple: Presented list of Steering Committee members. Jensen will represent St. Croix County LCC and County Board. Meeting scheduled for November 20. Committee could be strongly advisory, making decisions rather than staff people. South Fork of Hay River Kulow reported that project (traditional) plan is in process of being written which will include: (1) Barnyard runoff, (2) Nutrient management plan, (3) Woodland management, (4) Streamline corridor. The CAC does not want to include critical sites. If DNR does not accept new proposal, Project Manager (Dunn County) feels that Dunn County may not approve. Recommendation by LCC will have to be made in January or February. Also will be submitting Pollution Reduction Incentive Program proposal as part of the plan. DNR is looking at guidelines they have to follow. Dunn County does not have an animal waste ordinance. Lakes Cluster Project - Kling reported finishing up inventory results for all watersheds. Perch Lake - Identified shoreline erosion protection. Seim property (gully erosion) - critical sites problem. Good news - protection base strategy. Bass Lake - Water is going down. Applying for permits to start pumping. Will assess landowners to cover entire cost. Pine Lake - Soil erosion, winter spread manure are primary problems. Squaw Lake - Winter spread manure is the primary problem. Looking at plan to be written by spring. Demos at Perch Lake boat landing involving gully erosion from parking lots. Town of St. Joe - 80% cost share. If county cost share fund would cover 10%, state would add an additional 10%. Lake Project Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for November 21. GLEN HILLS WATERSHED Structure 1 - Christenson reported that repair work (NRCS portion) is now complete. Toe drain system is operational. To convert this wet dam to a dry dam, will require a draw down pipe to be installed. The county is requesting bids for local contractors. Nothing will be done this fall. Structure 2 - Christenson reported that he met with Finance on need for breach route studies below dams. St. Croix County has obligation for operation and maintenance since they are owners of the dams. Study covers area downstream of each dam that would flood if they were to fail. Money included in contingency fund. NRCS - low flight (leaf off photography). The photos would give us current stereo maps. Ones presently available are 1958 flight. Could also be used for contour mapping such as flood plain. If we have photography, could save 25-30% on breach route studies. Jensen stated we should be ready to go by spring. Ground control - done by 1997. If aerial photography, must get done in one year. Will present Glen Hills report to County Board in January 197. WILDLIFE DAMAGE PROGRAM Sander reported: Loose ends to tie up. Not many claims this year. Largest damage claim is a nursery (Glen Weiss). County budget proposal, signed by Chairman Jensen, has been sent to DNR-Madison. WOODVILLE RECREATIONAL TRAIL Heise reported that structure is still being worked on. Contractor Albrightson has been working there Monday and today. Posts should be in and guardrails up before winter. MOUND DAM REMOVAL Raymond reported that the Building Commission met in October and have sent the issue back (third time) to DNR for more study. 1997 BUDGET Christenson reported there have been no changes since meeting with Finance Department. WLCA ANNUAL CONFERENCE Conference will be held December 4-6 at Pioneer Inn & Marina, Oshkosh. Berenschot, Bethke, Cody, and Christenson plan to attend. 1997 CONSERVATION AIDS PROJECT AGREEMENT The Woodville recreational trail project agreement for conservation aids has been signed by Chairman Jensen and returned to DNR. FARMLAND PRESERVATION APPLICATIONS New contract agreement application was presented for Robert & Barbara Ickler (Town of Kinnickinnic). Berenschot made motion that LCC recommends approval of the new application for Ickler to County Board and forwarding to state. Dull seconded. Carried. SUBDIVISION REVIEW Heise presented information on subdivisions: Green Acre Country Estates, Leroy Urhammer - Second phase - Subdivision was approved last year. Sink hole in middle of development. Original agreement was to create outlot (green space - no development). Urhammer said he followed all rules. Spent considerable amount of money to have it filled and're-seeded. Perk test was done. What are the restrictions? Should be conventional systems. Urhammer requested that outlot be okayed for 2 lots. He asked what the primary concern is - environmentally sensitive. Sink hole was repaired according to original agreement. Heise commented that it was negotiated during preliminary plat and the outlot has to stay the way it is. Second phase is okay. No committee member entertained a motion to accept this outlot to be split into 2 lots. outlot will remain as platted. Discussion on Ruemmele land development. LCC referred to state statutes which indicate rules for rezoning areas zoned for exclusive agricultural. Gerald Smith - North Bass Lake_, Somerset - There are 21 items to be resolved. There are real sensitive areas. Discussed having Heise and the LCC look at environmentally sensitive land. Also discussed possible resolution to change policy. Discussed that certain conditions would require the developer to present an environmental impact statement to support if land is okay for development. One outstanding issue on this development is the ponding easement agreement from two adjoining landowners. Jensen made motion to table until next month. Bethke seconded. Raymond abstained. Carried. Lumberer Subdivision - Located off Hwy 35, sands and gravels. There are a number of conditions on this plat that the engineering firm should resolve. Bethke made motion to table for one month and bring back to committee. Jensen seconded. Carried. VOUCHERS Reviewed vouchers. Additional vouchers to be prepared: Northwoods Personally Yours Inc. (Reproduce slides for CD Rom - $198.05) and WLCA (Conference Registration Fees-Berenschot, Bethke, Cody, and Christenson - $400.00). Swartz Office Systems voucher - Increase payment by $13.95 for payment of invoice 42636940. Bethke made motion to approve October vouchers as presented and amended. Raymond seconded. Carried. MISCELLANEOUS Christenson reported that he met with delegates from the Minnesota Board of Soil & Water Conservation, who were on their way to Madison for an area meeting. They are looking at ways to restructure their system (Land and Water Conservation), possibly along lines similar to State of Wisconsin which makes the boards attached to local government such as counties rather than state legislature as now organized. Jensen adjourned meeting at 12:OO p.m. Vernon Dull Secretary By Arlene Lier