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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand & Water 09-03-02ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Clarence Malick, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Art Jensen, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Land & Water Conservation /Resource & Education Committee DATE: September 3, 2002 TIME: 9:00 a.m. LOCATION: Ag Center, Baldwin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: October 1, 2002 ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES NEW BUSINESS: *Letter DATCP - Staff funding 2003 *Conservation Aids project - Apple River property *Venison Program - Chronic Wasting Disease Subdivision Review - 10:00 a.m. Vouchers *Personnel Issues - Job description - County Conservationist /County Park Administrator - Conservation Specialist - Certifications UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Staff Reports 2003 budget review - capital outlay (2004) Municipal Waste- Regional CREP(Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) Education Activity Priority Watershed Projects Glen Hills Watershed Relocation update *- Pipe separation - Local contract Ag Issues LESA(Land Evaluation and Site Assessment) 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: August 22,2002; amended August 29,2002 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA /NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS 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 September 3, 2002 Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Lois Burri, Chris Bethke, Jim Cody, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond Members Absent None Staff Present: County Conservationist -Bob Heise; Land Specialists -Pete Kling, David Sander; Program Assistant -Jonna Fedie; Secretary - Arlene Lier Others Present: Steve Pemsteiner -NRCS; Bob Hendrickson -FSA; Pat Carpenter- Engineer Meeting called to order by chair Art Jensen. Berenschot made motion to adopt agenda. Bethke seconded. Carried. Burri made motion to approve the August 6, 2002 meeting minutes. Berenschot seconded. Carried. Berenschot made motion to approve the August 16, 2002 meeting minutes. Bethke seconded. Carried. Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 1, 2002 at 9:00 a.m. LETTER DATCP — STAFF FUNDING 2003 Heise commented about a letter he received from the DATCP regarding staff funding for 2003. The overall tone of the letter appears that the State Land and Water Conservation Board may be questioning the DATCP funding strategy. Heise wrote a letter to be signed by Chairman Jensen, expressing the committee's concerns about the new funding formula and the impacts that will result to our Land and Water Conservation department. Motion by Cody, seconded by Raymond, to have Chairman Jensen sign the letter. Carried. CONSERVATION AIDS PROJECT — APPLE RIVER PROPERTY Heise presented a 2003 Conservation Aids project. The proposed project is to improve the existing parking lot and make improvements to the landing/launching area on the Apple River property. This property is located in Section 11, Star Prairie and is owned by the county. Discussion. The committee recommended the department not pursue this project at this time and offered the Kinnickinnic property as an alternative. Heise will pursue this alternative and determine if this will be a suitable project under the grant limitations. VENISON PROGRAM — CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE Heise reported that he had consulted with Dawn Budrow, County Risk Manager, regarding the risks and issues of the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) that is found in the Wisconsin deer herd, and the risks this may have with the department sponsoring the venison program. Budrow discussed this with Corporation Counsel and County Administrator. It was by their recommendation that the department not sponsor the venison program this year and re- evaluate the program next year as additional information becomes available. PERSONNEL ISSUES County Conservationist/County Park Administrator — Heise handed out a recent version of the job description. The tracked language of the document was revised on 8/30/02. Discussion. Motion by Burri, seconded by Bethke, to approve the job description with the tracked language changes. Carried. Conservation Specialist — Certifications - Heise provided an update on the department's reorganization in 2000, with changes in job descriptions (Conservation Specialist) and required certifications that were included in those job descriptions. Two out of three individuals had met the certification requirements for their position. All certifications for this position had to be obtained by January 1, 2003. An employee in the department who needs to meet one of the certifications is requesting training from the U.W.R.F. at county expense and with paid time to go to school. Committee referred to a letter by Deb Kathan, Personnel Director, who recommended that this has not been county policy and procedure, and that this was required certification at the onset of accepting this position. In Kathan's letter she referred to other examples countywide where employees are responsible to obtain these certifications at their expense. Discussion. Steve Pernsteiner, MRCS, commented on what was involved in the CCA certification. Dave Sander commented that he did take the exam in February but was unsuccessful. He is requesting training to better prepare himself for the exam. Committee concurred with Personnel Director's recommendations and supported the county policy and procedure. Since the CCA certification is only offered once every year and twice every other year, the committee is willing to extend the deadline date until February 2003. Sander did request a copy of the county training policy from the committee. Committee referred to Deb Kathan's letter. Sander requested a copy of the letter. 2003 BUDGET REVIEW — CAPITAL OUTLAY (2004) Heise reported that in the 2004 capital outlay plan, the department is targeted to purchase a vehicle. Heise had discussions with Steve Fisher from the Zoning department in regards to sharing a vehicle. Both departments are in need of a full size van for use with the committee and attending training meetings. Committee suggested that Heise continue to research this option with the Zoning department. Heise commented that he was informed by NRCS that we should begin budgeting for a butyl rubber coating on the concrete outfalls pipes of all our Glen Hills Dams. Committee recommended that this should be a maintenance item in the budget. MUNICIPAL WASTE - REGIONAL Heise reported that letters should be sent out shortly to all municipalities, local units of government, and public organizations encouraging them to become part of a CSCCRWPC(Central St. Croix County Regional Wastewater Planning Commission) for the long range regional solution to the county's waste management issue. A meeting is scheduled with the CSCCRWPC for Wednesday, September 25, 2002, 10:00 a.m. at the Fire Hall in Hammond. Heise commented that he met with Larry Natzke, Soil Scientist -NRCS, Jim Boettcher, Hydrogeologist- DNR, and John Paddock, DNR, regarding soils in St. Croix County that may be suitable or somewhat suitable in meeting the NR -110 requirements for groundwater discharge. This was a cursory review using the soil survey and knowledge of the soils in the county. A map will be generated from the results. CREP (CONSERVATION RESERVE ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM) Jonna Fedie reported that we have a total of 19 CREP applications and agreements. Three of those are easements and will take up to 6 months for completion. Heise reported that as a result of recent a -mails passing across his desk top regarding CREP easements, he decided to have further discussions with Corporation Counsel on the county being the holder of these perpetual easements. Corporation Counsel recommended that it might be better off in the long run if the county is not the holder of these easements and allow DATCP to hold and monitor these easements. EDUCATION ACTIVITY Heise reported that Ruth Stern is returning Thursday, September 5, to begin her fall term working with the schools on outdoor educational activities. PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS Heise reported that Kyle Kulow was selected for the Conservation Specialist position in the Department. Kyle will be responsible to manage and administer the three watershed programs in the county. Heise commented that Kyle is working on a non -point easement with Dave Cowles, Kinnickinnic Watershed. This is a complicated easement, a portion of the property is to be enrolled in CREP, a portion will be under a non -point easement, and the remaining portion of the parcel will be incorporated in a perpetual easement with the Kinnickinnic Land Trust. A cost -share agreement will be signed with the landowner to allow him to begin implementing Best Management Practices (BMP's). GLEN HILLS WATERSHED Relocation update - Heise reported that the relocation project is complete. The site has been shaped and seeded. Jonna will be working on reimbursements for this project. Pipe separation — Heise reported that he met with NRCS, Contract Specialist, Madison and NRCS Engineer, on Thursday, August 15 for a contractor's site showing of the project. Very poor turn out by contractors. Bids were to be submitted by Thursday, August 28 NRCS received one bid that was extremely high. NRCS contacted department to determine if the St. Croix County Highway department would be interested in completing the work. Heise was directed by the committee to discuss this with Dan Fedderly, Highway Commissioner. AG ISSUES - UPDATE Sander reported that the Turkey Store worked out an agreement with the DNR. Several landowners receiving the turkey waste are in the process of writing a 590 nutrient management plan. All nutrient plans will be written by private consultants; however, conservation plans will need to be written or updated by our department. The potential money available through the new EQIP program for manure storage has sparked considerable interest. The rules for this sign up should be out in October or November. No information has been received from the Department of Justice regarding Baldwin Dairy's spreading of animal waste in mid March. LESA (LAND EVALUATION AND SITE ASSESSMENT) UPDATE Heise gave a short overview of the LESA presentation on Thursday, August 14, with the LWCC and the Planning, Zoning, & Parks committee. The committees supported using the LESA system for a six - month trial basis for rezonements, guiding development, and siting development. Heise reported that they used the LESA system with their recent rezonement submittals and that the committee should expect to see LESA numerical ratings and terminology in the staff's report. SUBDIVISION REVIEW Pete Kling presented: Long Pond Shores (In part of the NW 1 /4 of the NW 1 /4 and the SW %4 of the NW 1 /4 of Section 13, T30N -R18W, Town of Richmond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 68 acre development, 30 lots total. DNR is objecting to this because the plat shows private ownership of the bed of a navigable body of water. All stormwater and erosion control issues have been resolved and a revised plan has been submitted. Recommended for approval. Raymond made motion to recommend that the storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Development Committee along with the comment that LWCC expresses no opinion on ownership of land beneath the water of Long Pond. Bethke seconded. Cody voted "no ". Carried. The Glen (In the NE 1 /4 of the NW' /4, in the NW '/4 of the NE '/4, in the SE '/4 of the NW %4, in the SW %4 of the NE 1 /4, NE 1 /a of the SW %a , in the NW 1 /a of the SE %a, in the SE 1 /a of the SW 1 /4, and in the SW 1 /4 of the SE 1 /4 , all in Section 20, T29N -R19W, Town of Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 147 acre development, 94 lots total. All LWCD concerns have been addressed and a revised plan has been submitted to reflect the recent changes. Recommended for approval. Cody made motion to recommend that the storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Development Committee. Burn seconded. Carried. Boundary Ridge (In part of the NE %4 of the SE %4 and in part of the SE '/4 of the SE '/4 of Section 24, T29N -R19W, Town of Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 35 acre development, 12 lots total. All stormwater and erosion control issues have been resolved and a revised plan has been submitted. 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. Burkhardt Prairie (In part of the SE' /4 of the SW '/4 of Section 10, T29N -R19W, Town of Hudson, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 21 acre development, 8 lots total. All stormwater and erosion control issues have been resolved and a revised plan has been submitted. Recommended for approval. Burn made motion to recommend that the stormwater and erosion control plans are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Development Committee. Raymond seconded. Carried. Crick Bottom Overlook (In part of the NE ' / 4 of the NE Y4 and in part of the NW 1 /a of the NE '/a and in part of the SW ' / 4 of the NE %a of Section 18, R29N -R17W, Town of Hammond, St. Croix County, Wisconsin) — 70 acre development, 32 lots total. All stormwater and erosion control issues have been resolved and a revised plan has been submitted. Recommended for approval. Cody made motion to recommend that the stormwater and erosion control plans are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Development Committee. Berenschot seconded. Carried. VOUCHERS Reviewed vouchers. Motion by Berenschot to approve vouchers. Seconded by Bethke. Carried. FARM SERVICE AGENCY Bob Hendrickson reported: 103 CRP contracts were extended for one more year. A letter has been sent out to 25 -30 CRP producers reminding them about the September 30 deadline. • Final Production Flexibility Contract (PFC) payments have been made. • Letters have been sent to all producers that may have a base and yield for the Direct & Counter Cyclical (DCP) program. Signup begins October V The Dairy signup is going well with approximately 50% completed. NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE Steve reported that 14 EQIP applications have been approved for cost - sharing. One is for a grazing system, another for well abandonment, and the rest were for nutrient management. Conservation plans need to be developed before the end of the year. Initial word is that 2003 funds will be distributed to each county and a local work group will be used to establish priority needs. Steve will let committee know when group needs to meet. All three students have returned to school. The intern students assisted in catching up a backlog of work. About 12 CREP applicants need field work yet. Jay Custer will be main contact for CREP. DNR No report. RC &D Berenschot reported: He attended joint meeting with the Minnesota council on August 22 at St. Croix Falls and discussed projects which the River Country RC &D Council is involved with: • Grazing Specialist — Offered managed intensive rotational grazing technical assistance to area landowners • Value Added - Bringing Profit Back to the Farm Conference • Lower Chippewa River Conservation Buffer Project • Bulk Order Prairie Seed Service • Hmong Land Buying Cooperative • Glen Hills Flood Control Dam Repair Design • Buffalo County Farm- A -Syst Project WEST CENTRAL AREA Raymond stated that there is a lack of zeal in the West Central Area. He was very disappointed in county supervisor turnout and what appears to be a lack of leadership in the organization. Heise concurred with Raymond's statements. The late summer business meeting is usually concentrated on the Area Conservation Awards selection. Of the eight counties that make up the West Central Area, only three county supervisors and five county staff were present and out of those, only two brought conservation nominations. Extremely poor participation in the area conservation awards program. Marsha Perlick, St. Croix County, won the area Wildlife award. The area association will not sponsor a fall conservation banquet to recognize area conservation winners; the respective counties will now complete this locally. ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE With Kyle Kulow filling the Conservation Specialist position, this leaves his position vacant. There are two individuals in the office that are interested in this position and interviews must be conducted. Heise asked for volunteers from the committee. Raymond and Berenschot volunteered to be part of the interview process. Dates have not yet been determined. Finance committee budget review with departments is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18, and Thursday, September 19' Heise will inform Jensen when he hears the time and date the department is to report to finance. Berenschot made motion to adjourn meeting at 11:35 a.m. Seconded by Raymond. Carried. Jim Cody Secretary