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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation - Resource & Education Committee 05-07-1996ST . CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Robert Boche, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Tom Dorsey, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Land Conservation/Resource & Education Committee DATE: May 7, 1996 TIME: 8:30 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 - Plan of Administration Baldwin Ag Building Issue Kinnickinnic Youth Forest - Town of Kinnickinnic Proposal 1996 WLCA Summer Tour Woodville Snowmobile Trail NEW BUSINESS: Grant Application - DATCP-DNR Mounds Dam Removal 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: April 22, 1996 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA/NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS * ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS/CHANGES Convened: 8:30 a.m. Adjourned: 11:50 a.m. ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND CONSERVATION/RESOURCE & EDUCATION COMMITTEE Agricultural Center, Baldwin, WI May 7, 1996 Members Present: Chris Bethke, Jim Cody, Tom Dorsey, 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 -Peter Kling, Secretary -Arlene Lier others Present: Don Siler-NRCS, Dick Gade-FSA, Dave Hausman-DNR, Ken Schreiber-DNR-Western District, Art Jacobson -County Board Member Meeting called to order by Chairman Tom Dorsey. Jensen made motion to adopt agenda. Bethke seconded. Carried. Dull made motion to approve April 3, 1996 meeting minutes. Jensen seconded. Carried. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 4, 1996 at 8:30 a.m. DNR Dave Hausman (Conservation Warden) attended the meeting and reported: Forestry - Forester Kathy Nelson reports that approximately 225,000 trees will be shipped into the county on May 7, 14, and 21. Miscellaneous tree orders are still coming in, so the total number of trees delivered and planted in 1996 will be determined after the planting season has ended. State and federal agencies involved in the Wisconsin Cooperative Gypsy Moth Program will begin spraying for gypsy moth early in May. More than 35,000 acres at 38 sites in 16 counties will be treated to destroy gypsy moth infestations. The closest spraying site to St. Croix County is Eau Claire County. Two separate sites in Eau Claire County will receive three B.t.k. (Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki) treatments. More acres are being treated throughout the state this year than in previous years due to a rise in gypsy moth populations. Gypsy moths were found in 45 of the state's 72 counties in 1995. Fisheries - Manager Marty Engel reports on Squaw Lake concerns, very minimum winter kill. Plan to do comprehensive surveys on Squaw Lake. Did test shocking and found lake was full of fish. Water levels are real high. Some littering problems with landing. Wildlife - Manager Kris Belling reports that issue in New Richmond paper regarding DNR controlled burn that got away should be clarified. It was a situation where they were doing a controlled burn near New Richmond. Fire Department was called but there were no problems. LCC member inquired about process of dead deer pick up. Hausman stated that a contractor from Hudson picks up car kills. They have trouble with contractors being.right on the spot. Deer should be picked up within 48 hours of being notified. Hausman should be notified if there are problems with pick up. He gets lots of calls on deer carcasses being left inroad ditches. Kling inquired whether Hausman had been out to Bass Lake on possible illegal fill. Hausman reported that the information had been given to Dan Koich. NRCS (FORMERLY SCSI Siler handed out and discussed the April activity report. Custer made presentations at FSA information meetings. Those who do not want to work with NRCS will have.to be considered out of compliance,and could affect program eligibility. FSA (FORMERLY ASCS1 Gade reported on the new farm bill which has lots of changes. Program allows anyone who has a base to get a payment this year. Sign up runs May 20-July 12. Payment is given for going into program. Long term purpose is to stop payments to farmers. Sign up one time in 1996 and you are signed up for 7 years, unless you have land in CAP. There would be no reason for.not wanting to sign up. Only restrictions are conservation compliance. It is a wide open program. Base is 5-year history of 5 year planting. Average plantings 1991-1993, planted and considered planted. Your base will not change until 2002 or revision of farm plan. CRP will be estimated at over 34 million. ACP - Notified that program is going to end as we know it now. Anybody approved now will not be paid until after October. Tree planting only on land that has been in trees. ACP may only be funded in certain areas. RC&D Raymond reported he was unable to attend recent meeting due to conflict with county planning & zoning meeting. WEST CENTRAL AREA No report. EDUCATION ACTIVITIES Heise reported that he taught Baldwin -Woodville 4th grade classes using the Enviroscape model. Sander reported that there are two applicants for the WLCA conservation camp which will be held on June 11-14. Jensen made motion that LCC authorizes sponsoring 2 students (Dana Begalke and Emily Herman). Bethke seconded. Carried. Lier reported that 257 posters were received for the Conservation Poster Contest. Contest judges appointed are Bethke-LCC, Matt Bobowski (FSA staff), and Martha Mabis (UW-Ext staff). FARMLAND PRESERVATION COMPLIANCE Jeff Wagner did not attend the 10:00 a.m. noncompliance hearing. Sander reported that he is working with Wagner on a conservation farm plan. PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS . Kinnickinnic - Ken Schreiber (DNR-Eau Claire) attended meeting and gave update on project. An extensive fish survey is being done, one section per mile. Survey will include habitat assessment, bank erosion. This project is unique as city of River Falls is on a major trout stream. We are starting to see some thermal impacts in the downstream section of the river. Documentation shows clear temperature spikes. Since we have not had a lot of real dry conditions since they have started documentation, the thermal impact is not fully known. Quite a bit of sedimentation is shown in the bottom of stream. Project goal is to protect river and not necessarily improve it. Ken felt there may not be a lot of expense. There are two new flow stations installed to report flow, May through September. When water comes up, sampling will begin to help determine water change such as sediment.and phosphorus. Project wants to see impact city has on river, thermal and phosphorus. What is coming off of city streets and going into storm sewers. Will attempt to measure load coming off. What effect does development have on temp of stream. What kind of storm water management is necessary if development occurs. Project is not saying that river is in bad condition. Below city, however, trout fisheries is good but not as good as above. Twin Lakes is also in this watershed. Will attempt to study water quality of runoff. Department will be doing more work on lake to get better handle of what is going on at lake. We are struggling at what to do with Twin Lakes. Talked to Christenson about doing extensive inventory of property draining into the lake, measure phosphorus level. Raymond mentioned that this is a different type of watershed (Kinnickinnic). Area will be urbanized rather quickly. St. Croix County wanted to get a watershed project in place before development pressure gets too great. Have to constrict ourselves. Citizens group to be formed should not consist of only groups such as Trout Unlimited, Sierra Club, etc. This watershed has different issues in addition to the water quality goal which must be addressed during the inventory and plan writing. Dorsey stated that bottom line is: Have to make them think that we are working for all people, not one group. Kinnickinnic Land Trust - easements open to public, not developed. Phil Belfiori (planner) and Dan Simonson are the DNR people we will be working directly with on the project. Schreiber commented that it will be more complicated. Sensitive issues - city will get more dollars compared with towns - extraterritorial powers. Raymond commented on sensitivity to landowners and political issues. Citizens group has to be composed of the right mix of people. Urban control will cost more dollars.than rural control. Schreiber commented "make sure that everyone is represented on the watershed citizens committee." South Fork of Hay River - Christenson reported "pretty well done with appraisal on the project." Lakes Cluster Project - Kling reported on bioengineering project at Bass Lake using coconut fiber roll. Doing 87 feet for John Eiring. Copy of plan was reviewed. Cost share 70/30, $475 owner cost, total project cost $1,900. Lake is up 8 inches since ice went out. Discussed shoreline zoning revision issue. Objection by. County Highway Department. Raymond and Dorsey will attend a meeting on May.8 regarding shoreline ordinance. Dorsey stated that ordinance change was to help people on Bass Lake. GLEN HILLS WATERSHED Christenson reported on annual inspection. County Work Release Crew has been doing some clean up 'work. All alarm systems have been landscaped and have to. be seeded and mulched yet. Three systems were tested out on day of the inspection. Shafer Electric has found electrical problem at the park. #10 should be up and running on May 8. WILDLIFE DAMAGE PROGRAM Plan of Administration - Sander reported that the proposed plan, which was forwarded to DNR for their approval, has not been returned as yet. People have already contacted our office on damage. KINNICKINNIC YOUTH FOREST - TOWN OF KINNICKINNIC PROPOSAL Finance plans to get an appraisal on the land proposal. STATUS BALDWIN AG BUILDING Ag building status will be discussed further during afternoon Ag Extension committee meeting. 1996 WLCA SUMMER TOUR Heise reported that plans are being made for the tour (July 17). WOODVILLE SNOWMOBILE TRAIL Art Jacobson attended meeting and reported on the progress of the Woodville trail. Had a meeting with Army Reserve personnel and they appear interested in the trail as a training project. Heise and County Park staff are surveying in certain areas of the trail that will need improvements. Will get a cost estimate on first bridge, outside of Woodville. Possibility of using county funds? CONSERVATION FARMER AWARD Heise mentioned that it is time to consider electing a conservation farmer. Should consider someone who has done ACP practices throughout the years. Will discuss further at June meeting. If no farmer is selected, the Conservation Awards Dinner will still be held for the Speaking and Poster contest winners. GRANT APPLICATION - DATCP-DNR Christenson mentioned that a Waterways Commission meeting is scheduled on May 7. Additional funding of $20,000 for Bass Lake Boat Landing, from $77,00 to $96,400, would be considered. Presented an agreement amendment to Upgrade Squaw Lake Aeration System, increasing fund amount of $1,876 by $61 to $1,937. Dull made motion to approve Chairman Dorsey's signature on amendment. Seconded by Jensen. Carried. Also presented an amendment agreement for.Squaw Lake Access Renovation. Total project cost share is increased from $16,623 by $2,141 to $18,764. Plan for rock and paint striping, to finish up project. Bethke made motion to approve Chairman Dorsey's signature on amendment. Seconded by Cody. Carried. Also stated that cost share estimates for DATCP 92.14 funds of $52,649 includes $2,600 for Kling's participation in the Rural Wisconsin Leadership Program. He was selected and this program is also funded in part by the University Extension and private contributions. Participants have to raise the yearly fee of $2,600 - employee, local, private, etc. contributions. He will have to raise the majority of the charge this year. DNR will cover salary -as part of training cost. Operation Cost: Hay River - $57,592 St. Croix Lakes - $60,925 plus $5,000 for special project. Kinnickinnic estimated $116,460 plus $4,200 for special project. One requirement of application is that county resolution has to be passed stating that county will allocate at least as much money as has been budgeted under DATCP request. Budget resolution will be sufficient to cover that. Jensen made motion to application. Bethke seconded. Carried. MOUND DAM REMOVAL Raymond stated that he sent letter approved by Finance Committee to Building Commission. There is pressure from Trout Unlimited to remove the dam. Jensen made motion that LCC approves resolution to support retention of Mound Pond Dam. Bethke seconded. Carried. FARMLAND PRESERVATION APPLICATIONS No applications were presented. SUBDIVISION REVIEW Heise presented information on subdivisions: Wyngate (Town of Troy Sec. 21) - Discussed areas of concern. Cody 11 made motion that LCC recommends that the storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable for this development with the following conditions: 1) Developer is responsible for the installation and all erosion control measures for the proposed driveway to service lot #1. Heise recommends that the driveway be graveled at that time to minimize erosion concerns.. 2) An easement is to be placed on lot #2 requiring an emergency access to lot #1. Bethke seconded. Carried. Mallard Run (Town of Star Prairie, Sec. 4) - Jensen made motion that LCC recommends that the storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable for this development with the following conditions: 1) Developer is responsible for the installation and all erosion control measures for the proposed driveway to service lots 8,9,10,11,12,13, and shared driveway of lots 14, 15. Heise recommends that the driveways be graveled at that time to minimize erosion concerns. 2) An erosion control plan is required for each lot in this development. Plans to be submitted to the zoning office prior to issuing sanitation permits. 3) Letter from town chairman of Star Prairie expressing his feelings on the culvert under 110th Street. Dull seconded. Carried. Lolly Acres (Town of Somerset) - Heise expressed his concerns. If road easement goes in, what is water level of pond? Road is in pond. Dump site should be repaired.. Plan to be sent back with concerns. VOUCHERS Reviewed vouchers. Raymond made motion to approve April vouchers as presented. Jensen seconded. Carried. MISCELLANEOUS. Applications for Kinnickinnic Project Manager position will be screened by Christenson and Chairman Dorsey later this week. Personnel staff will conduct interviews along with Bethke, Dull, Jensen, Raymond, and possibly Cody. Jensen made.motion to adjourn meeting at 11:25 p.m. Raymond seconded. Carried. Vernon Dull Secretary By Arlene Lier