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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand & Water Conservation Resource & Education Committee 07-06-1999 ~ I 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 : July 6, 1999 TIME: 9:00 a.m. LOCATION: Ag Center, Baldwin CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: ~uN ON PREVIOUS MINUTES UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Reports: DNR NRCS FSA RC&D West Central Area Education Activities Farmland Preservation Priority Watershed Projects Glen Hills Watershed Baldwin Ag Building Update Office Priorities Policy Recommendation - Animal Waste Ordinance County Land and Water Resource Management Plan County held Conservation Easements 1999 Conservation Awards Candidates NEW BUSINESS: 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: June 23, 1999 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA/NOTICE BOARD COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS * ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS/CHANGES WATER REGULATIONS-Eunice Post - Tentative meeting set for 8/2/99 to discuss possible statutory changes to NR-118. Meeting is being set up as an informational workshop. Definite date and time will be announced after July 16. NRCS Siler reported: • Large majority of the 15t` CRP sign-up status reviews have been completed, but work is still continuing so as to finish all the contracts from that sign-up. • A review of all the billings from completed cover practices from the 15t` and 16a` CRP sign-ups are on going. After reviews are completed, we certify to FSA by completing the cost-share form so landowners can receive payment. • On June 22 Gade and Siler were a part of 2 mediations held at the County Government Center. Involved 2 landowners who did not get accepted during the 18a` CRP sign-up. One was resolved and the other was impossible to resolve. Berenschot asked about the information he heard that "NRCS was kind of flushed with money this year". Siler was not agreeable to the information. FSA Gade reported that Conservation Reserve Program (CRP ) activity continues to be hectic. One of the CRP provisions requires that approved cover be seeded within 12 months from the date the CRP contract became effective. Participants need to be reminded of the 12 month requirement to remain in good standing with the program. Gade indicated that a number of CRP participants still need to complete their seedings from previous signups. An additional 12 months may be granted only in those cases when the approved grass mixture is not available or when the seed costs will create an adverse economic hardship. Currently, FSA is accepting crop reports from St. Croix County farmers through July 15, 1999. These crop reports establish a crop history and provide an opportunity for commodity loans, loan deficiency payments and possible disaster programs. In addition, all CRP participants need to make a report to earn their annual payments. All farmers enrolled in the 7-year Production Flexibility Program need to report any planted fruits and vegetables. RC&D Berenschot reported that "coordinator" position is being advertised through USDA. Have approval for a part-time clerical person (Diane Kaufinan-Board of Directors), on NRCS payroll in Eau Claire. Meeting scheduled for April 11-13, 2000 in Green Bay. Seven states are involved. Already have draft of meeting. WEST CENTRAL AREA Raymond reported that he will attend the August 19 board meeting when the area conservation awards will be selected. Discussed Summer Tour to be held on July 14 in Clark County. Berenschot, Bethke, Jensen, and Raymond plan to attend. Will use the LWCD vehicle and leave at 7:45 from Baldwin. - - - EDUCATION ACTIVITIES Sander reported: He was a counselor for the Conservation Camp at Bruce on June 8-11. Kling had the groundwater display at the Conservation Observance Day in Polk County on June 25. FARMLAND PRESERVATION Sander reported: DATCP spot check on June 25 went well. Annette Massie-Computer Services is writing the new program for Farmland Preservation Program. PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS Kinnickinnic - No report. South Fork of Hay River - No report. Lakes Cluster - Kling reported: • Staff meeting with Parks and Highway Department. Discussed Perch Lake entrance road. • Held Citizen's Advisory meeting at Perch Lake. • Bass Lake - Still waiting for township to see what will happen out there. Safety check of road. • Squaw Lake - Money from Fish & Wildlife - diversion - Hard to come up with money. Using other funds to pay for it. • Citizens Advisory Committee meeting scheduled at Pine Lake on July 28, 6:30 p.m. • County Fair booth will have one issue/theme "Wildlife Ponds" - liners, plants etc. ~ • Worked with St. Mary's School students(6-8 grades) of New Richmond at Bass Lake and Willow River. • Katie Eiring (summer intern) is working on aquatic and upland plant reference and display press. Will categorize them. • Commented on a lakeshore owner who has house problem. Owns 500-600 feet of shoreline. GLEN HILLS WATERSHED Christenson reported: Breach route study - Talked with Shirley Fredrickson (Senator Clausing's secretary at Menomonie) a week ago. They had received a call from Mickey Brettingen. Discussed with Senator Clausing at Sundbakken Farm Conservation Observance Day. Dean Steines-Ayres Associates received call from DNR office saying they were working on the study approval. Zoning committee has to act on flood plain zoning. Will need a composite map covering all study maps. Help possible from Regional Planning and Ayres to prepare map. Zoning will possibly request a six month moratorium extension which will end the middle of March. During that time, flood plain ordinance will need to be reviewed and updated. Extension hearing to be scheduled early August and go to County Board in August. Did an inspection with Gary Lepak, DNR rep who is responsible for dam safety in this area. Covered 4 dams (#4,5,6, 10) that were rated high hazard and also structure #2. Reviewed our inspection policy and our annual maintenance work are good. AG BUILDING UPDATE Jensen inquired about the "electrical upgrade". Christenson commented that no work was done to date. Gade reported that roof leaks. Ceiling tile is fixed each time and nothing more is done. Also stated that light grids have not been installed on some lights in his area. Jensen will discuss problems (electrical, roof leak, and light grids) and need for a "mark `n wipe" board for conference room 152 with Administrative Coordinator Krizek. Christenson reported that the pay phone has been replaced with another phone (local calls, credit card, operator assistance, and 911 option). "Phone" sign for public use will be installed. OFFICE PRIORITIES Christenson reported: • Katie Eiring is working with Kling on Lakes project. She also has been entering well data. • Chad DeWyre has been working on an EQIP survey/Kinni area. • Transect survey - Personnel office located temporary clerical help for us to record data and get in a form needed to run analysis. • Sonja Gunderson left the middle of June, officially ended employment on June 30. • Troy Dankemeyer begins in watershed technical position effective July 4. • Computer system - Virus developed in a share file-Caused big headache. Indicated need for good backup tapes. Jensen reported: County Conservationist Christenson will be retiring on 2/15/00. A special committee meeting will be scheduled to discuss job description. LWCC input is needed. Will include Personnel staff. (Recess 10:00-10:15 a.m.) POLICY RECOMMENDATION Animal Waste Ordinance - Staff is continuing to work on the Resource Management Plan. COUNTY LAND AND WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN Heise handed out suggested list of resources (concerns/priorities) in county. Going beyond what DATCP and legislature requires. Should look at all county land. Jensen stated that we have to expand from what we have done in the past. Raymond said we have to develop scheme for future. Berenschot asked what nonmetallic mining includes. Resource plan will be "guide for department." Will proceed with list. Agriculture is changing and we must be prepared. COUNTY HELD CONSERVATION EASEMENTS Kling reported that Greg Timmerman-Corp Counsel indicated county is ready to proceed on easement program. 1999 CONSERVATION AWARDS CANDIDATES Sander reported it was not possible to come up with candidates for "Outstanding Student" this year. Will be working on the award for the year 2000. Berenschot has informed Clarence Jackelen (Outstanding Farmer) and Chris Omann (Teacher) of their awards.. Per request from Clarence Jackelen, the farmer award should be awarded to the "Jackelen Farm" instead of "Clarence Jackelen FARMLAND PRESERVATION APPLICATIONS None. SUBDIVISION REVIEW Marcello Acres - 10.29 acres - (Sec. 14 Town of Somerset) - 2 lots, shared driveway. Heise presented information. Berenschot made motion that the storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable and a letter be forwarded to the Planning & Development Committee. Bethke seconded. Carried. Frontier - 72.81 acres - (Sec. 5,6 Town of Troy) - Heise presented stormwater and erosion control plans for the Frontier subdivision. Trout ponds downstream from proposed development. Do not want runoff coming into ponds. Precautionary measures will protect ponds. Bethke made motion to recommend that the stormwater and erosion control plans are acceptable and a letter be sent to Planning & Development Committee. Berenschot seconded. Carried. Starwood - 85.56 acres - (Sec. 12 Town of Hudson) - Conditionally approved this subdivision a year or more ago. Zoning Committee approved variance to road standards. Revised plans were submitted to LWCD for review. Heise is requesting a letter from the Village of North Hudson or representative regarding stormwater issues. Berenschot made motion to recommend that the stormwater and erosion control plans are acceptable, subject to receipt of letter. Burri seconded. Carried. VOUCHERS Reviewed vouchers. Bethke questioned the Lytha Lyons $250.00 voucher. Christenson explained the environmental science/management scholarship which is funded by the Bruce Anderson scholarship fund. Raymond questioned Roger Neuman $3,609.35 voucher. Kling explained that Demulling, Neuman, and Rivard do fall moldboard plowing and are changing to disking. Cost share payment is $18.50/acre. Berenschot made motion to approve vouchers. Seconded by Raymond. Carried. Raymond made motion to adjourn meeting at 11:15 a.m. Berenschot seconded. Carried. Arlene Lier Acting Secretary Jim Cody Secretary