HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand & Water 03-05-02
ST. CROIX COUNTY
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING
TO: Tom Dorsey, Chairman
St. Croix County Board
FROM: Art Jensen, Chairman
COMMITTEE TITLE: Land & Water Conservation/Resource & Education
Committee
DATE: March 5, 2002
TIME: 9:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Ag Center, Baldwin
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: April 2, 2002
ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES
NEW BUSINESS:
Subdivision Review - 10:00 a.m.
Vouchers
* Proposed budget reductions
* Inquiry - Land donation
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Staff Reports:
Municipal Waste
Personnel Study
2001 Conservation Awards Dinner
CREP(Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program)
Education Activity
Priority Watershed Projects
Glen Hills Watershed
- Relocation update
- Pipe separation
Ag Issues
* - Policy - Checklist
- Ordinance update
Homestead Park
- Update
LESA(Land Evaluation and Site Assessment)
- Work group update
Agency Reports:
FSA
NRCS
DNR
RC &D
West Central Area
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:
ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order)
SUBMITTED BY: Robert Heise
DATE: February 21, 2002; amended February 28, 2002
COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA/NOTICE BOARD
COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS
* ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS/CHANGES
UNOFFICIAL Convened: 9:00 a.m.
Adjourned: 11:35 a.m.
ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION/RESOURCE
& EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Agricultural Service & Education Center, Baldwin, WI
March 5, 2002
Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Chris Bethke, Lois Burri, Jim Cody, Art Jensen, Ron
Raymond
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: County Conservationist-Bob Heise; Land Specialists-Pete Kling, David Sander;
Lakes Cluster Technician-Steve Olson, I & E Activities Specialist-Ruth Stern;
Program Assistant-Jonna Fedie; Secretary-Arlene Lier
Others Present: Bob Hendrickson-FSA; Steve Pemsteiner-NRCS; David Fodroczi-Planning
Meeting called to order by Chair Art Jensen.
Bethke made motion to adopt agenda. Berenschot seconded. Carried.
Berenschot made motion to approve February 5 and February 19, 2002 meeting minutes. Seconded by
Raymond. Carried.
Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2, 2002 at 9:00 a.m.
PROPOSED BUDGET REDUCTIONS
Heise handed out a report that outlines the state funding reductions proposed by the DATCP and
Governor. A 3.5% reduction has been implemented by DATCP to reflect this year's funding allocation
for staff. If the ATCP-50 rules are implemented in their current form, the Land and Water Conservation
Department could lose up to $50,000 in 2003 staffing allocation from the DATCP. Moreover, DATCP
is initiating a proposal to implement another 5% reduction on the 2003 funding allocation. These
reductions do not take into account the shared revenue proposed to County Governments. Committee
and staff discussed alternatives and budget items if department is requested to reduce county levy.
INOUIRY - LAND DONATION
Heise presented to the committee that a landowner located in Glenwood Township is interested in
donating his farm to the county for educational purposes. Committee requested that Heise discuss this
issue with the landowner and provide a detailed report at the next committee meeting.
MUNICIPAL WASTE
Heise reported on the Phase I study that was completed for the Roberts/Hammond communities. A
public hearing is to be scheduled for March 19, 2002 in Roberts. Heise reviewed points of issue that
the Land and Water Conservation committee should be concemed about this proposal. Heise has a
drafted letter formulated detailing the issues of concern.
David Fodroczi presented other concerns to the Phase 1 study that reflect issues from planning, zoning
and other land use considerations. Dave informed the committee that the facility plan has not been
available to review and that ample time must be made for citizens to review and comment.
Committee acknowledges that this issue should be evaluated and studied as regional importance,
incorporating a full evaluation and long term outcome that's beneficial for the entire St. Croix region.
Heise and Frodroczi are to continue to work on this issue and prepare a letter to be submitted for
written comments.
PERSONNEL STUDY
Heise reported that the personnel study is complete for the Land and Water Conservation Department
and has been submitted to Administrative Coordinator Chuck Whiting.
VOUCHERS
Reviewed vouchers. Motion by Bethke, seconded by Berenschot, to approve vouchers. Carried.
2001 CONSERVATION AWARDS DINNER
The St. Croix County Land & Water Conservation Awards Dinner will be held on Tuesday evening,
March 26th at the American Legion Hall in Baldwin beginning at 7:00 P.M. Land and Water
Conservation Department staff and committee members will be working together to make the awards
presentations. More information on the banquet arrangements will be provided to the committee
members within the next couple of weeks
CREP (CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM)
Heise reported that a letter was written and signed by Chairman Jensen on the strategy of how the
department will comply with a less statutorily review of Chapter 91, Farmland Preservation program.
EDUCATION ACTIVITY
Ruth Stern reported:
St. Croix County will have representatives in both the district conservation speaking and poster
contests that take place on March 13th in Eau Claire.
Historical information on the Cedar Lake Flume and Huntington Mill was provided to the committee
members. The LWCD will be doing repair work on the flume in the near future with the possibility of
also establishing a canoe landing area and a historical marker at the site.
A classroom presentation on the topic of trees was carried out at St. Anne's School in Somerset
involving fift~ 4th and 5th grade students on February 19th. Another day of presentations is scheduled
for March 12t at New Richmond East Elementary for 200 elementary students. The topic for this set
of classroom presentations will be surface and groundwater quality.
PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS
Steve Olson reported:
Update was given on the status of the Prairie Flat Wetland Restoration Project on the north end of
Squaw Lake. Ducks Unlimited is finalizing the designs and construction is slated for late summer.
There has been a large interest for easements around Pine Lake. Wisconsin Farmland Conservancy,
DNR , and the watershed staff are in the process of applying for a Lakes Management Grant to
purchase the easements. The Conservancy will ultimately hold the easements.
Bass Lake has two shoreline restoration projects slatted for this summer, working on designs and
permits at present time.
The Kinnickinnic Watershed has three potential barnyards and several other smaller projects slatted for
this summer.
GLEN HILLS WATERSHED
Heise reported:
Relocation update - Amendment #2 was received from NRCS and delivered to the Finance committee
to review and provide signature to extend our time frame of this project until June 30, 2002.
Pipe Separation - Staff is developing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the pipe separation project. St.
Croix County will be the sponsor and the administrator of the project.
AGRICULTURAL ISSUES -UPDATE
Sander reported on the policy for manure management systems and confined animal feeding operations
that was mailed to the committee last week. The policy outlines the necessary information, that needs
to be submitted, for a project review and completion. Berenschot made motion to accept this policy.
Seconded by Bethke. Carried.
Also reported on the progress of the state model livestock ordinance. The advisory committee will be
meeting for the last time on March 18. The final draft should come out shortly after that meeting.
HOMESTEAD PARK
Kling reported that low bid for completion of remainder of work at Homestead Parklands went to
McCabe Construction out of Eau Claire. Excellent bid, 70K below next closest, reputable contractor.
Going to Finance with resolution on Friday, March 8th, and to County Board on March 19th to approve
the borrowing pool so we can complete the park. Need support for this at County Board.
LESA (LAND EVALUATION AND SITE ASSESSMENT)
Heise reported that the LESA workgroup have agreed upon the site factors to be included into the
LESA system and will be evaluating the weighting values of these factors. The work group will be
meeting on March 14 and 28 starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Agricultural Center. Committee is interested in
the development of this system and is looking forward to a formal presentation.
SUBDIVISION REVIEW
Pete Kling presented:
Pheasant Ridge (In the W1/2 of Section 9, T29N-R17W, Town of Hammond, St. Croix County,
Wisconsin) - 315 acre development, 84 lots total. Golf course plans will be submitted at a later date.
Existing land cover: 280 acres farmland, 35 acres lowland/flood plain. Recommended for approval.
Berenschot made motion to recommend that the storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable
and a letter be sent to the Planning & Development Committee. Cody seconded. Carried.
Richmond Meadows (In the SW '/4 of the NW 1/4, part of the NW 1/4 of the NW '/4, part of the NE '/4 of
the NW 1/4 and part of the SE 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 24, T30N-R18W, Town of Richmond, St.
Croix County, Wisconsin) -107 acre development, 47 lots total. Existing land cover: 107 acres of
farmland. Recommended for approval. Bethke made motion to recommend that the storm water and
erosion control plans are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Development Committee.
Berenschot seconded. Carried.
Highland Ranch (In the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4 of Section 31, T31, T31N-R17W, Town of Hammond, St.
Croix County, Wisconsin) - 34 acre development, 15 lots total. Existing land cover: 30 acres
farmland, 4 acres lowland/flood plain. Recommended for approval. Berenschot made motion to
recommend that the storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable and a letter be sent to the
Planning & Development Committee. Bethke seconded. Carried.
The Highlands - (In part of the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 and in part of the SE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Section 12,
T30N-R19W, Town Somerset, St. Croix County, Wisconsin.) - 60 acre development, 18 lots total.
Existing land cover: 40 acres pasture, 10 acres lowland/flood plain, 10 acres woods. Recommended
for approval. Berenschot made motion to recommend that the storm water and erosion control plans
are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Development Committee. Cody seconded.
Carried.
FARM SERVICE AGENCY
Bob Hendrickson reported:
- We now have 33 CRP contracts extended which include 1,334.2 acres for this year.
- CREP - we are ready to go as soon as the county has a signed contract with DATCP.
- We are up to date with the 2002 Production Flexibility Contract (PFC) payments. We will be making
March payments soon.
- Sally is heading up a statewide conference for the Federal Women's Program (FWP). The conference
will be next week Wednesday. It is for all of the USDA agencies in WI.
- 70 commodity loans have been disbursed for $3,459,458.82. Interest rate is 3.250% for the month.
- We have paid out 985 LDP for $1,801,075.03, mostly on soybeans and corn.
- Farm Storage Facility Loan interest rate is 4.750%.
- The FSA newsletter went out around 02/21/02. FSA included the LWCD newsletter and insert for
LWCD, NRCS, UWEX and RD.
NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE
Steve Pernsteiner reported:
NRCS announces Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) sign up will run March 18 to
April 19. Practices will be same as last year: nutrient management, conservation tillage, well
abandonment, and prescribed grazing. Maybe additional EQIP program opportunities if Farm Bill is
passed. Might need to have local work group meeting to discuss potential project. Has been some
interest from Willow River watershed.
Computer donated for LWCD use has arrived and will be hooked up soon. This computer will allow
LWCD staff to access NRCS data.
NRCS is looking to hire intermittent help as we have backlog of status reviews for CRP and EQIP to
complete.
RC&D
Berenschot reported:
• Attended recent board meeting.
• Seed orders have been completed for this spring.
Information will be sent out on fall seed orders because of CREP.
Will be meeting somewhere in St. Croix County in May. Minnesota people want to attend to
discuss what can be done with the St. Croix River.
Attended national leadership forum in Washington D.C.
• Dale Fern will serve as RC&D member at large from St. Croix County. Letter of approval will be
sent by County Board Chair Tom Dorsey.
WEST CENTRAL AREA
Discussed plans to attend the Spring Business Meeting & Speaking Contest on March 13 at the
Ramada Inn Conference Center, Eau Claire.
Chair Jensen adjourned the meeting at 11:35 a.m.
Jim Cody
Secretary