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Home My WebLink About10-07-97 Land & Water Conservation - Resource & Ed CommitteeST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Robert Boche, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Art Jensen, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Land & Water Conservation/Resource & Education Committee DATE: October 7, 1997 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 Environmental Stewardship Priority Watershed Projects - Kinnickinnic South Fork of Hay River St. Croix Lakes Cluster Glen. Hills Watershed - Flood Plain Study Baldwin Ag Building Update EQIP Plan Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area 1998 Budget NEW BUSINESS: Farmland Preservation Applications Subdivision Review - 11:00 a.m. Vouchers ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily SUBMITTED BY: Charles Christenson DATE. September 23, 1997 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE COUNTY CLERK * ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS/CHANGES presented in this order) NEWS MEDIA/NOTICE BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERS Convened: 9:00 a.m. Adjourned: 11:50 a.m. ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION/RESOURCE & EDUCATION COMMITTEE Agricultural Center, Baldwin, WI October 7, 1997 Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Chris Bethke, Jim Cody, Vern Dull, Ron Raymond Members Absent: Art Jensen (excused) Staff Present: County Conservationist -Charles Christenson, Technician -Bob Heise, Farmland Preservation Technician -David Sander, Lakes Cluster Project Manager -Pete Kling, Kinnickinnic Project Manager -Tim Popple, South Fork/Kinnickinnic Project Technician -Kyle Kulow, Secretary -Arlene Lier Others Present: Dick Gade-FSA, Kris Belling-DNR, Kim Reaman-UW-EXT, Roger Swanson-UW-EXT, Roger Humphrey-ACA, Wes Halle Meeting called to order by Vice Chairman Ron Raymond. Berenschot made motion to adopt agenda. Dull seconded. Carried. Bethke made motion to approve August 15 and September 2, 1997 meeting minutes. Seconded by Dull. Carried. Next meeting is scheduled far Tuesday, November 4, 1997 at 9:00 a.m. Raymond announced that Assistant Zoning Administrator Jim Thompson has been promoted to Zoning Specialist. The Zoning Director position is vacant. DNR Kris Belling (Wildlife Biologist) reported: Deer season is close. They are steadily selling bonus permits for Unit 60M (second year). Gade questioned whether there was state action for processing deer. Sander stated that wildlife damage funds could be usedfor processing for food pantries. Belling said "Hunt for Hungry" was closed down because of high costs. Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area - Belling stated that survey taken after the open houses, out of 100 individuals, 75% indicated for, 5% opposed, and 20% no opinion. The second open house sessions are scheduled for October 7 (WITC) and October 8 (UW-River Falls Student Center). Handed out "Alternatives Evaluation Form" which are to be completed and returned. Feasibility study will be written. Committee will take action after information from public comment is received. Berenschot asked why there was so much PR on the proposed project. Belling stated media is active in the promotion. Committee questioned funding for this project when there is a shortage of funds for watershed projects. Belling stated that funding will come from stewardship programs. NRCS No report. FSA Gade announced that the 16th CRP sign-up is scheduled for October 14- November 14. The contracts which expire September 1997 and September 1998 can be offered for re -enrollment. Some revisions to the EBI (Environmental Benefit Index) include: Wildlife habitat cover benefits and air quality factors. Points (maximum 15) would be given for reducing bid from bid cap and also points would be given when no cost share is requested. Appointments are booked through October 28. NRCS staff will have assistance from LWCD, DNR, and from FSA (ag loan person). Commodity loans are available for 9-month program. Corn and bean yields look good. RC&D Berenschot reported: Attended the state association meeting at Superior, WI on September 29-30. WEST CENTRAL AREA Discussed the area awards ceremony and fall speaking contest scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, at UW-Stout. Berenschot, Bethke, Cody and Dull plan to attend. EDUCATION ACTIVITIES Sander reported: He conducted a class using the groundwater model for St. Anne's School (Somerset). Also Heise conducted a class using the Enviroscape model for St. Anne's School (Somerset). Stenciling material was also given to St. Anne's. School field days were held for Baldwin -Woodville (9/11) and Glenwood City (10/3) at Glen Hills County Park and West Side Schools -River Falls (9/17) at Willow River State Park. County speaking contest will be held on October 7. Berenschot will be a judge from LWCC. Sander attended a conservation camp planning meeting. Kling reported on his participation in the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program session in Oregon. FARMLAND PRESERVATION Sander reported working on farm plan changes. ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP How much authority does LWCC have on control of private lands? According to Corp Counsel Greg Timmerman, not a lot. LWCD works mainly under Chapter 92, Chapter NR-120, Chapter 91, and Chapter 166. These chapters give the department authority to enter private lands under the consent of the landowner. Subdivision reviews - The LWCC has some authority once theaZoning Office requests their assistance. Discussed section of Chapter 18 subdivision ordinance specifically 18.11(B)(t) where we shall require professional engineer or surveyor to commit to oversee the installation of all storm water and erosion control features as the approved plans and certify "as built" conditions. ST. CROIX COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Seems there is absence of ag conservation presence. Main focus is to get ordinance done soon - 25 volunteers. Ag presence needs more involvement. Lakes Cluster - Kling reported on critical sites. Six months since plan was approved. He will be attending Comprehensive Planning open houses. Part of Zoning Specialist Jim Thompson's job is to work with lakes. Russ Strohbeen is receptive to restoring wetlands. Has been planting trees and shrubs at the Bass Lake boat landing. Kinnickinnic - Popple reported that legislators, WLWCA, DNR, and DATCP have received many comments from the public concerning priority watershed funding. There was good support from St. Croix County residents. Governor Thompson has not signed the budget yet. Legislature requested support for watershed money in the budget. EQIP Plan - Staff is working to complete and get signatures for federal cost share practices. There will be two well abandonments this fall. The Rhine River group from Germany, France, and Holland toured the watershed. They commented that we have loose regulations and referred to us as the "Wild, Wild West". Impressed that our local people get involved. Got a good look at overall watershed project. Raymond suggested that press coverage should be encouraged. Christenson handed out copies of letter received from the Legislative Audit Bureau to Representative DuWayne Johnsrud. At the time of expenditure, promotional items were an allowable cost.for DNR nonpoint grants. The second expenditure in question was the use of state funds to support a St. Croix County employee's attendance at the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program. No DNR watershed project funds have been used for this purpose. This is an education project covered by DATCP. DATCP funding covered about 50% of the required fees. The Committee decided to report results of this audit request to the County Board. South Fork of Hay River - Kulow commented that the pilot conservation credit proposal for this watershed has passed Senate and Assembly. It is in the biannual budget. No indication the Governor will line veto it. Will be presenting plan to County Board possibly in November. GLEN HILLS WATERSHED Flood Plain Study - Christenson reported photos have been received from NRCS and they have been indexed. Will contact engineering firms to see if quality is good enough for digitizing. BALDWIN AG BUILDING UPDATE Gade reported that building is on schedule with construction. Construction site meetings are held every first Wednesday of each month. Hope to occupy the building by the end of 1997. Discussed conservation practices followed at the site by Highway Department. Unanimous decision by LWCC that LWCD staff send a letter to Highway Commissioner Fedderly (copy to all members) suggesting use of Best Management Practices for conservation. 1998 BUDGET Christenson reported meeting with Finance on September 29. Department will receive block grant in amount of $165,000 for 1998 and 1999. FARMT.AND PRESERVATION APPLICATIONS Christenson reported that two new applications were presented: (1) Greg & Gloria Anderson (70 Acres - Town of Warren, Sec. 26). (2) Steve Wynveen & Terry Thompson (80 acres - Town of Hammond, Sec. 23). Bethke made motion that LWCC recommends approval of the new application for Anderson to County Board and forwarding to state. Berenschot seconded. Carried. Cody made motion that LWCC recommends approval of the new application for Wynveen/Thompson to County Board and forwarding to state. Seconded by Berenschot. Carried. SUBDIVISION REVIEW Wes Halle Subdivision (Sec. 5 - Town of Richmond) - Developer Wes Halle and Roger Humphrey-Engineer-ACA attended meeting. Heise presented storm water and erosion control plans which were reviewed. Recommended excelsior blanket on both sides of road, detailed drawing of rip rap in area, questioned lot #4. Need letter of commitment. Bethke made motion that LWCC cannot recommend approval because of late submittal and no agreement between engineer and Heise on recommended items. Berenschot seconded. Engineer and Heise should work together and come into agreement before presenting at committee meeting. Reviewed LWCC and Ag-Extension vouchers. Berenschot questioned lease payments to Ford Credit Department for two vehicles (voucher #97-196). Christenson explained the need for the two watershed vehicles. Also questioned the Ag-Extension voucher ($15,000 for premiums). Reaman gave explanation. Berenschot made motion to approve LWCC and Ag-Extension vouchers as presented. Bethke seconded. Carried. MISCELLANEOUS Lier presented the LWCD/NRCS meeting/training calendar for October. Bethke made motion to adjourn meeting at 11:50 a.m. Berenschot seconded. Carried. Vernon Dull, Secretary By Arlene Lier