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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation-Resource & Education Committee 11-07-95X ST. 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: November 7, 1995 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 Resolution South Fork of Hay River St. Croix Lakes Cluster Glen Hills Watershed Signal Installation Repair Structure #1 Squaw Lake Boat Landing Wildlife Damage Program Flood Plain Zoning - Glen Hills Watershed 1996 Budget Soil Survey Project Status Baldwin Ag Building WLCA Conference NEW BUSINESS: Farmland Preservation Applications - Petranovich Subdivision Review Vouchers ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: Charles Christenson DATE: October 23, 1995 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA/NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS * ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS/CHANGES -• • !� �: • �.� .ice! t' �+. 1. 'I'O Robert Boche, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROH: Tom Dorsey, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Land Conservation/Resource & Education Committee DATE: Noveiuber 7, 1995 TIDE: 9:00 e�.m• LOCATION: Aq Center, Baldwin CALL TO 01�DER ROLL CALF ,�ipOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEE'Y` MEETING ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINQTES UNFINISHED BUSiNESs: Re,�rts • DNR N7,2C5 FSA RC�D ' West Cent�`al Area Education Activities Farmland Preservation Compliance Prior�.ty Watershed Projects - Kinnickinnic Resolution - South Fork of F�ay�River - St• Croix Lakes Cluster Gien H�.11s Watershed. - Signal Installation -� Repair Stnzcture �'1 Squaw Lake Boat Landing pli ldl i f e � Damage Px'ogram - Att Peterson 10 : 3 q a . m Flood P�.ain Zoninq - Glen Hills Watershed , 1996 Padget 5o�.i Survey �toject Status Baldwin Ag Building WLCA Conference NEW BUSINESS: Farmland Preservation Applications - Petrartdvich 5ubd�.vision Reviear - S7ouche�`s - AN�iQUNCEMENTS � CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBI,F AGENDA ITEHS FOR NEXT 2iEETII�tG; ; ADJOU}.2Nl+�ENT (Agenda not necessarily presented i.ii this order) SUBMITTED BY: Charles Christenson DA'�'E: October 23, 1995 Amended October 27, 1995 COPIES TO: COUN`tY BOARD OFFICE COUNTY CLERK * ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS/CHANGES z�a°3Jdd NEWS HEDTA/NO�'ICE BOARD CO24�ITTE$ HEt�BERS N I f�Q�1dH SQ03 J W0�1 � SS � S t S6 6 BS 100 Convened: Adjourned: 9:00 a.m. 11:45 a.m. ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND CONSERVATION/RESOURCE & EDUCATION COMMITTEE Agricultural Center, Baldwin, WI November 71 1995 Members Present: Chris Bethke, Vernon Dull, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond, Kermit Thompson Members Absent: Tom Dorsey (excused) 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: Jay Custer - NRCS, Dick Gade - FSA, Kris Belling John Bradley - County Board Member Meeting called to order by Vice Chairman Art Jensen. Raymond made motion to adopt agenda. Bethke seconded. Carried. Dull made motion to approve October 3, 1995 meeting minutes. Bethke seconded. Carried. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, 1995 at 9:00 a.m. DNR Kris Belling (Wildlife Manager) attended the meeting and reported: The Environmental Analysis regarding the proposed changes in Deer Management Units/Metro Unit Proposal is available for review. A final recommendation will go to the.Natural Resources Board in January. If the Board approves the changes, they will be incorporated into the rules for the 1996 season. They are in process of selling Bonus Antlerless Permits until season opens. Office will be open until 6:00 p.m. in evening. They have sold over 300 of the 1125 permits available in Unit 60. Report from Kathy Nelson (Forester) stated: (1) Eleven tree species are currently sold out from the DNR tree order forms. Most of the tree species no longer available, were trees where the starting inventories were low. Most of the trees commonly planted are still available. (2) Letters were sent to landowners who have Woodland Tax Law contracts expiring on December 31, 1996. These people were sent information on the Managed Forest Law program and an application form. People who renew their property under the Managed Forest Law program will continue to receive a reduced property tax on their woodlands. People who do not renew their property under Managed Forest Law will have their land put on regular tax rolls when their land expires from Woodland Tax Law. The application deadline for the Managed Forest Law is January 31. Harvey Halvorson - Private Lands Wildlife: Prairie grass seedings - Seeded 6 private lands (including 2 at to do this month) for a total of 91 acres. The Alliance donated tractor will be used for the fall prairie planting at New Richmond High School -Environmental Learning Center on November 8. Seeded 3 public lands parcels, total 91.5 acres. Most seedings included flowers for increasing plant diversity and to add a touch of color to the landscape. Most private landowners like this and buy/add additional species to the planting mix. 1996: Projected plantings over 400 acres in Pierce and St. Croix Counties. Wetland Restoration - DNR and USFWS completed 50 restorations in the county. Most of these are creative enhancements; i.e., water is impounded behind dikes or in shallow scrapes. Water depths average 3' deep or less. Some basins filled within the week after construction. These projects were completed on 20 different properties (mostly private lands) and total 24 acres of waterfowl habitat. Also, most projects involve creating 2 or more wetlands per site, to create the wetland complex favored by dabbling ducks. 1996 - We are currently reviewing/selecting/surveying sites for next year's construction schedule. NRCS (FORMERLY SCSI, October activity reports were handed out and discussed. FSA LFORMERLY ASCSi Gade reported that approximately 1,300 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) checks totalling $2.8 million (average $63.00/acre) were issued. Crop Insurance - If farmers intend to participate in USDA programs in 1996, they must have insurance on most crops. All farmers that have hay in 1996 must have purchased insurance by end of November. Those who have hay coverage will have to make crop reports for 1996 by end of November. As indicated in the CAC Committee meeting minutes of October 23, the Village of Baldwin has done an engineering study of the present ag center building, including the space now occupied by the post office. Determination was that by the time this unit was upgraded to meet all present code requirements, the rental cost would be nearing the cost of new construction. They have decided to not remodel, thus it will be necessary for USDA agencies to solicit for new space. FSA has been designated as the lead agency for solicitation. Process will be starting quite soon. Gade recommended that Land Conservation, Ag-Extension, and DNR give space requirement information to him by January 1. The CAC Committee delineated the area boundary for solicitation: South - I-941 west - 170th Street, north - County Hwy E, and east - 230th Street. The LCC stated they still will recommend co -location with the USDA agencies.. The final decision will need to go to County Board. The DNR reorganization will delay any commitment from them to early in 1996. RC&D No report. Raymond did not attend October meeting. WEST CENTRAL AREA Dull reported on the Fall meeting & speaking contest held on October 25 at UW-Stout Campus in Menomonie. He commended Wendy Wayne (NRCS Soil Conservationist) on doing a good job on Bert & Harriet Day (Area Outstanding Conservation Farmer Award) presentation. Christenson commented that Ken & Roberta Vance, Eau Claire car dealership, who received the Area's Water Quality Leadership Award, were also the state winner. Adam Payne (WLCA Executive Director) and Charles Whitmore (MRCS Regional Conservationist) were speakers at the business meeting. EDUCATION ACTIVITIES Sander reported that he spent time with Mark Kubler, Willow River State Park Manager, working on use of the park for field days. Education.is not a top priority with the park's budget having been cut. Discovered that the Nature Center basement has many materials that we can use. He gave a woodland animal talk to an elementary school in Hudson. Staff conducted a field day for Somerset 5th & 6th grade students on October 10. Heise used the EnviroScape (watershed) model for Viking Middle School 4th & 5th grade students. County conservation speaking contest was held on October 16. Bethke commended Sander for his good work with the students. The 3 winners advanced to the area contest on October 25. Discussed scheduling the 3 winners to give their speeches at the County Board session on November 21. FARMLAND PRESERVATION COMPLIANCE Sander reported that he continues working on status reviews. GLEN HILLS WATERSHED Signal Installation - Christenson reported that phone lines are in at Structure #4 and 6. Baldwin Telecom has to hook up equipment. Albrightson will install manhole at #10. We will install phone line at Structure #10, rather than lease line from GTE. Repair Structure #1 - Heise reported that the subcontractor came to begin construction. Conditions were too we resulting in work being delayed until 1996. PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS Kinnickinnic Resolution - Christenson reported that the resolution to support the project has been postponed until the January 1996 County Board session. Two informational meetings have been held, one at Clifton Town Hall (35-40 landowners) and the other at Roberts Community Center (approximately 50 landowners). Ron Struss (UWEX Water Quality Education Specialist) and Dan Simonson (DNR) conducted the program. Marty Engel (DNR Fisheries Manager) discussed river water quality now and related this to trout habitat. John Bradley (County Board member) attended meeting. Stated that he is Chairman of Personnel Committee. The proposed project requested 2-1/2 people. He has lived on the Kinnickinnic River for 50 years. He has reviewed the 205J Stormwater Control Plan for the City of River Falls. Jurisdiction ends at the county line. He questions the need for this priority watershed project. He quoted Marty Engel as saying "The Kinni River is a much superior river than the Willow". The density of the Kinni is 9,000 fish/mile. The City of River Falls would have extra territorial zoning if the project occurred. The real issues between the City of River Falls and the surrounding townships are extra territorial zoning and the landfill. Raymond suggested that the town and City of River Falls officials be invited to the December LCC meeting. What is the position of the town boards? How would City of River Falls benefit? South Fork of Hay River - Christenson reported that Kulow is completing the inventories. Lakes Cluster Project - Kling reported that accomplishments of the Citizen's Advisory Committee are resource appraisal, organization of committee itself, how to act on appraisal and plan, and appraisal updates. Finished soil sampling. Found high amounts of phosphorus runoffs. Reported that he and Kulow will be attending the Non Point Conference at Stevens Point on November 13-15. Baldwin Pine: Netted 3 ton of bullheads. Water level is high, SQUAW LAKE BOAT LANDING Heise reported that Parking lot has to have stripes. Will meet with Roger Humphrey of Highway Department on our layout. Suggest waiting until next year. Need a handicapped parking stall. Large boulders would prevent the public from going up grass hill. WILDLIFE DAMAGE PROGRAM Art Peterson attended meeting. He questioned the 50% ($21500) payment of his damage claim. Video was shown of his apple orchard. He stated that there is more damage this year than last year. The fence is being built at this time and about 1/4 of it is completed. LCC asked why the fence was not constructed sooner. Peterson stated that the decision was made in November 1994 to fence but it -took time to get advice on the type of fence to build and actually receiving the materials. The plan changed in July. LCC reduced the damage claim by 50% because the fence was not constructed sooner. FLOOD PLAIN ZONING - GLEN HILL5 WATERSHED Christenson reported that he attended the Glenwood City Council meeting on November 6. Talked to council about zoning that may have to be changed because of breach route analysis on structures #4, 5, and 6. Will set up another meeting with council when Zoning Administrator Tom Nelson can attend to discuss zoning issue and go into more detail. Council received maps and information on flood plain zoning. 1996 BUDGET Christenson reported that budget has been approved as discussed with Finance. SOIL SURVEY PROJECT Christenson reported that we are working on getting FSA aerial slides into digitized form for access on computers. NRCS did not approve this project in 1995 because it was near the end of the fiscal year. Have now received verbal approval. New department budget includes software program to run slides. STATUS BA IN AG BUILDING Additional discussion of ag information to be furnished increase. building situation. Future space requirement to Gade, FSA by January 1. Cost of rent will WLCA CONFERENCE Conference will be held November 29-December 1 at Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, Lake Geneva. Bethke, Dull, and Christenson plan to attend. FARMLAND PRESERVATION APPLICATIONS Petranovich - Lilah Petranovich (Town of Springfield) submitted a "Special Use Application Modification of Farmland Preservation Agreement". It was reviewed at LCC meeting on October 3 and motion was made then to recommend approval of application to county board and be forwarded to DATCP. Motion stands. SUBDIVISION REVIEW Heise presented information on subdivisions which are in conceptional stage: Tanney Ridge 2nd Phase, Country Gardens, and Rivers Bend VOUCHERS Reviewed vouchers. Bethke made motion to approve the November vouchers as presented. Raymond seconded. Carried. MISCELLANEOUS Christenson presented agreement for County Conservation Aids project - Upgrade Squaw Lake Aeration System. Total cost of project $3,752.00. State Aid amount (50%) equals $1,876.00. Dull made motion to approve the budget item and application to be signed by Vice Chairman Jensen. Bethke seconded. Carried. Vice Chairman Jensen adjourned meeting at 11:45 a.m. Vernon Dull Secretary By Arlene Lier