HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand & Water Conservation Resource & Education Committee 04-06-1999
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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: April 6, 1999
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
Wildlife Damage Program
Priority Watershed Projects
- KinnickinniC
- St. Croix Lakes Cluster
- South Fork of Hay River
Glen Hills Watershed
- Flood Plain Study
- Structure #2 Hazard Rating
Baldwin Ag Building Update
Office Priorities
- Staff Needs
Animal Waste Spreading
- Large Dairies
County Land and Water Resource Management Plan
County held Conservation Easements
NEW BUSINESS:
Dam Inspection Date
1999 Conservation. Awards Candidates
Wildlife Damage - Plan of Administration
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: March 24, 1999
COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA/NOTICE BOARD
COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS
* ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS/CHANGES
s
Convened: 9:00 a.m.
Adjourned: 11:10 a.m.
ST. CROLX COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATIONI-RESOURCE
& EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Agricultural Center, Baldwin, W1
April 6, 1999
Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Chris Bethke, Lois Burri, Jim Cody, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: County Conservationist-Charles Christenson,. Secretary-Arlene Lier
Others Present: Dick Gade-FSA, Don Siler-MRCS
Meeting called to order by Chairman Art Jensen.
Berenschot made motion to adopt agenda. Bethke seconded. Carried.
Raymond made motion to approve March meeting minutes. Seconded by Berenschot. Carried.
Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 4, 1999 at 9:00 a.m.
DNR
No report.
NRCS
Siler handed out and discussed the February/March activity report.
Plan revisions are being done for land that has come out of CRP.
Out of 175 CRP bids, 69 were accepted in the 18th sign-up. Have started the planning process.
As of April 7, MRCS has been notified that all MRCS personnel will temporarily discontinue technical
assistance for the Conservation Reserve Program 18th sign up. Problem is with funding at Washington level.
Approximately 1/3 of the planning is done. Gade commented that plans have to be completed by the end of
August.
Berenschot made motion that LWCC send a letter to both houses of congress (2 senators and
representatives) expressing their concern. Bethke seconded. Carried.
There were two applicants for Prescribed Grazing (Environmental Quality Incentive Program practice).
A landowner north of Hudson, who has some remnant Oak Savanna, would like to do some restoration work.
Reviewed and discussed the Workload Analysis for Fiscal Year 2000.
FSA
Gade reported: The 18th CRP sign up required rating of 245 points to get into program There were 7,000
acres offered, approximately 40% (about 2,800 acres) was accepted. NRCS has looked at some which were
not accepted (additional 400 acres could become eligible).
Dairy Market Loss Assistance Program to offset the drop in milk prices - $200 million is available. Program
runs April 12-May 31. Anyone who has been producing milk (October-December - last quarter of 1998) is
eligible. The payment is based on 1997 or 1998 production, whichever is chosen by the producer, not to
exceed 2.6 million pounds. Gade and County Agent Milligan will conduct informational meetings on April
15 (Baldwin II a. an., Glenwood City 1:30 p.m.). Applications will be sent to all dairy producers in the
county for them to self certify production and to mail the application back.
Staffing situation - Program Technician position has been approved. Position was filled by Laurie Tietz (14
years with FSA-Dunn County). When economy is depressed, FSA workload increases.
RC&D
Berenschot reported: Attended recent meeting. 1999 Christmas tree for Washington D.C. will come from
Forest County.
Project being set up by Larry Swain-LTWRF to market organic products to the orient. RC&D would certify
products - organic eggs, milk, cheese, etc. Establish market before producing products. Dunn Co. group is
involved with project.
WEST CENTRAL AREA
Raymond reported: Board of Directors Meeting scheduled for May 17 at Dunn County Ag Service Center.
Posters should be brought to meeting for judging that day.
Events scheduled: Conservation Observance Day (Sundbakken Farms, Polk County - June 25), Summer
Tour (Clark County - July 14).
EDUCATION ACTWITIES
Christenson reported:
Soil Stewardship materials are prepared for delivery to the churches. Conservation activities for young
people - Separate letter will be sent to churches with information on the comic books which can be ordered
if the churches are interested.
Deadline for poster contest entries is April 26. Berenschot was appointed judge from LWCC.
FARMLAND PRESERVATION
Correspondence from DATCP indicated that approximately one-half million $ in credits came back to St.
Croix County. Budget bill includes substantial program changes. Would become an incentive program -
Conservation program needed instead of keeping in "ag zoned". Currently there are approximately 300
Farmland Preservation contracts in effect in the county.
WILDLIFE DAMAGE PROGRAM
Christenson reported: Question is, do we stay with Wildlife Damage program or not? Plan of
Administration has to be signed if we stay in program. Have discussed with Laine Stowell, Wildlife Damage
Specialist, DNR-Madison - 5-year plan. Postpone until May meeting. Program funds come from sale of
hunting licenses.
PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS
Kinnickinnic - Christenson reported: Popple will be attending the Wisconsin Land & Water Conservation
Board meeting on April 13 for presentation of the plan - last hurdle. Annual Cost Share Reimbursement
Amount (ACRA) for 1999 is $46,685.
St. Croix Lakes Cluster - Still doing work on Strohbeen property. County Highway did GPS marking. Can
proceed with survey work. ACRA for 1999 is $31,116.
South Fork Haver - Berenschot mentioned nutrient management - Paul Kivlin-UW-River Falls -
Requirement for incentive program. He asked, "How far along? $40,000 incentive program (St. Croix).
ACRA for 1999 is $33,297.
(Burri was excused at 10:10 a.m. to attend a funeral.)
COUNTY HELD CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
No report.
GLEN HILLS WATERSHED
Flood Plain Study - Christenson: Dean Steines-Ayres Associates left report last month for structures 7 and
8.
Engineering services agreement signed with Ayres to adjust and re-run data for Structure #2.
Structure #2 Hazard Rating - Letter was received from Mickey Brettingen (owner of house located below
Structure #2). Jensen has discussed with Finance Committee. Report has to be reviewed by State
Department of Natural Resources. After DNR report is received, committee will review options and make
recommendation to County Finance Committee. Raymond commented.: "There is a legal and moral
obligation here".
DAM INSPECTION DATE
Set date of Thursday, May 5, for annual dam inspection. Plan to inspect all of the dams. Meet at 9:00 a.m.
at the Oak Street Cafe in Glenwood City,
AG BUILDING UPDATE
No report.
1999 CONSERVATION AWARDS CANDIDATES
No candidates presented.
FARMLAND PRESERVATION APPLICATIONS
None.
OFFICE PRIORITIES
Christenson reported that Sonja Gunderson has submitted a letter of intent to retire as of July 1. He indicated
the need for a technical person rather than clerical. Jensen requested that a new job description (technical)
be prepared and presented at the May LWCC meeting.
ANIMAL WASTE SPREADING
Discussed scheduling another meeting with large dairies to discuss concerns, issues, and complaints
received. Raymond stated that manure management plans are not being enforced. DNR comes into place
when the animal numbers are over 1,000. Need tougher plans for dairies over 250 cows. Jensen indicated
"If ordinance needs changing, LWCD should make recommendations." Raymond stated that we have a set
of ordinances, but they are not being enforced/obeyed, Jensen requested that Christenson prepare
recommendations. Set date of Tuesday, April 20, after County Board Meeting, to review and discuss
proposals. Number 1 priority: Solution will be available for review after the April 20 meeting.
COUNTY LAND AND WATER RESOURCE INIANAGEMENT PLAIN
Christenson reported: Worked with Resource Agent Janke on possible questionnaire for telephone survey.
Suggestion leaving off the "$0, I Would not want any taxes increased to fund water conservation programs."
Reviewed "professional service contract" between St. Croix County LWCD and Cheryl Bursik dba
Dragonfly Consulting. Consultant shall be compensated for services at the rate of $30.00/hour and shall be
paid mileage at the rate of 32 cents per mile. Maximum amount payable under this contract is $8,000.
Contract will remain in effect through February 2000.
Raymond made motion to approve contract with Bursik for assistance in development of the resource
management plan. Seconded by Berenschot. Carried.
SUBDIVISION REVIEW
North Bass Lake Estates First Addition (Sec. 12 - Town of Somerset) - Approximately 28-acre
development, 7 lots, 3.0 acres or greater) - Christenson presented stormwater and erosion control plans for
the North Bass Lake Estates First Addition. Road construction all in. All items have been resolved and a
revised plan submitted to reflect the recent changes. Berenschot made motion to recommend that the plans
are acceptable and a letter be forwarded to the Planning & Development Committee. Bethke seconded.
Carried.
VOUCHERS
Reviewed vouchers. Berenschot questioned vouchers #99-65 U.S. Postal Service (postage - $1,500) and
#99-78 Eau Claire Plumbing Supply (bentonite - $626.95), which were explained by Christenson. Motion
by Berenschot to approve vouchers. Seconded by Raymond. Carried.
Bethke made motion to adjourn meeting at 11:10 a.m. Seconded by Raymond. Carried.
J up Cody
Secretary
By Arlene Lier