HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand & Water Conservation-Resource & Education Committee 11-03-98ST. 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: November 3, 1998
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
UNFTNIS�TED BUSTNFSS:
Reports: DNR
NRCS
F'SA
RC&D
Tracy Teodecki (DNR) - County Held
Conservation Easements*
West Central Area
Education Activities
Farmland Preservation
Legislation/Environmental Stewardship
Priority Watershed Projects
-Kinnickinnic
-South Fork of Hay River
-St. Croix Lakes Cluster
EQIP
Glen Hills Watershed
-Flood Plain Study
--Structure 41 Pipe Drawdown
-Structure #2 Pipe Separation
Baldwin Ag Building Update
Bass Lake Boat Landing Lease*
Riverway Task Force
Professional Engineering Policy and Standards
View Video - Houses in the Fields*
Office Priorities
NEW SUS TNESS :
Vouchers
Farmland Preservation Applications
Subdivision Review - 11:00 a.m.
C.S.M. Chris French/Green Acre Country Estates*
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
POSST13LE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:
ADJOUF1q,TENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order)
SUBMITTED BY: Charles Christenson
DATE: October 21, 1998; amended October 2.6, October 30, 1998
COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIAMOTICE BOARD
COUNTY" CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS
* ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS/CHANGES
X
Convened: 9:00 a.m.
Adjourned: 11:50 a.m.
ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION/RESOURCE
& EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Agricultural Center, Baldwin, WI
November 3, 1998
Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Chris Bethke, Lois Burri, Jim
Cody, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Technician -Bob Heise, Farmland Preservation
Technician -David Sander, Lakes Cluster Project Manager -Pete Kling,
Secretary -Arlene Lier
Others Present: Don Siler-NRCS, Joe Grant -Director of County Parks
Mark Kubler, Karen Voss, Tracy Teodecki-DNR
Meeting called to order by Chairman Art Jensen.
Berenschot made motion to adopt agenda. Bethke seconded. Carried.
Bethke made motion to approve October 6, 1998 meeting minutes.
Seconded by Cody. Carried.
Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 1, 1998 at 9:00 a.m.
COUNTY HELD CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
Kling introduced Tracy Teodecki (DNR). Explained the conservation
easements. $131,000 (Lakes Cluster watershed grant) is allocated for
purchasing easements. Easement - what would be expected of a
landowner? There is a specific set of rights that you buy from the
landowner. Landowner continues to own the land. An easement does not
buy rights to "hunting". It is a flexible agreement, not carved in
stone. Some exceptions can be made; example, deer stand can be
written in. Vegetation should not be disturbed.
There are two ways to handle easement purchase: (1) DNR which is a
perpetual easement. (2) County which is for a period of 20 years. To
set up an easement: (1) County hires an appraiser. Appraisal sets
the fair market value (based on highest and best use). (2) County pays
appraisal, legal, title costs, etc. LWCD acts as the front line
person with landowner, making contact, explaining the details.
Priority Watershed funds actually purchase the easements. Land which
is developable has more value. Kinnickinnic watershed will also be
asking for money to purchase easements.
BASS LAKE BOAT LANDING LEASE
Heise reported on status of DNR lease. If county does not lease, the
cost share money already received ($97,000) would have to be
forfeited.
Joe Grant -Director of County Parks commented that he only knows where
it is located and has little information on future maintenance
required on the boat landing. There should be a clear understanding
on maintenance. Conservation aids money may be avenue for maintenance
or improvements. Heise, Kling, and Grant need to get together to
resolve issues.
Corporation Counsel has already reviewed the lease. Recommendation
for approval needed from Zoning, Planning & Parks Committee.
DNR
Mark Kubler (Lands Sub -Team Leader)reported:
Stated that he had been Willow River State Park Manager and after
reorganization, became Sub Team Leader (supervisory position) at the
Baldwin office (full service center). Lands program supervises
wildlife and forestry professionals in St. Croix, Pepin, and Dunn
counties.
Public support for the Western Prairie Habitat Restoration area
program is important to get federal dollars. Governor Thompson is
really excited about the program. Need authority to purchase/preserve
what was here in the 1800's (heavy prairie, oak Savannah)_. This
program works well with the Conservation Reserve Program.
Willow River Park Manager (Lenore Schroeder) is leaving that position.
Park camping facilities were not expanded due to wet soil conditions.
Siler inquired about status of land purchase in the Three Lakes Area
for park boundary expansion. With high valued land, may not have
resources to do much with it.
Task force meetings will be held in January to review County Metro
Zone. Deer 2000 - trying to get good long term management strategy.
Put all effort into Deer 2000 instead of short term.
Fisheries - Concentrating on Dunn County, Colfax dam progress.
NRCS
Siler handed out and discussed October activity report.
CRP - Finished up the certification of completion of seedings. Many
landowners are calling to discuss the purchase of seed. Best prices
may be after Thanksgiving.
Explained CRP bid caps- tied to the three predominant soils. CRP
meetings with prospective applicants are to inform them of their cover
choices so they can make a decision based on cost and point total for
the 18th CRP sign-up.
FSA
No report.
RC&D
Berenschot reported that he attended a buffer conference on September
16 at Plover. He is familiar with buffers due to serving on the
Kinnickinnic Steering Committee. It is economical way to keep
sediment from going into rivers. By 2002 Wisconsin expects to have
80% of their streams protected by buffers. Very interesting meeting.
Attended the Wisconsin Association of RC&D's on September 28 in
Manitowoc. Seven districts are involved. Gave the invocation for
banquet that night.
Information on alternative septic system technology soon to come.
WEST CENTRAL AREA
Raymond reported that a number of people attended the Fall meeting on
October 29 at UW-Stout, Menomonie. Program included U.S. Rep Ron Kind
and WI Senator Alice Clausing. Resolution - To encourage purchase of
development rights in rural areas. Action to implement but funding
will be a problem. Area speaking contest was held. Wildlife Habitat
Development Award was presented to Vern & Becky Nagel.
Adam Payne has resigned his position as Executive Director effective
December 1, 1998. State meeting is scheduled for December 2-4 in Eau
Claire. Will donate an auction item for the silent auction fund
raiser.
EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
Sander reported: School field day was held for Glenwood City 5tn grade
students at Glen Hills County Park on October 9. Three topics were
covered by DNR: Wildlife, Forestry, and Conservation Warden. Three
topics were covered by LWCD: Ground Water, Soils, and Dams.
Guided a field trip for the Baldwin -Woodville High School on woodland
management. We covered everything from planting trees to harvesting
trees. Talked about federal and state programs and what wood lots
have to offer.
County speaking contest was held on October 13. First place winners
will speak at the West Central Area meeting; and will be invited to
speak at the awards dinner and also to a county board session.
FARMLAND PRESERVATION
Sander reported that he is working on plan revisions. Due to low
commodity prices, landowners are looking for a more profitable crop
such as vegetables which is harder to plan.
LEGISLATION/ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
No report.
PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS
Kinnickinnic - Popple will continue in his position as Project
Manager.
Berenschot stated that final plan draft will be reviewed at Steering
Committee meeting on November 19.
South Fork of Hay River - No report.
Lakes Cluster - No report.
EQIP
Siler reported that projects being funded and completed this fall are:
Clarence Jackelen (ag waste storage), Jerry Carufel (410 structure),
Bob Johnson (ag waste storage), and John Neumann (ag waste storage).
GLEN HILLS WATERSHED
Flood Plain Study - Heise reported that study is going according to
plan schedule. Received call from attorney on Teigen house (structure
#2). Raymond requested that staff communicate with Zoning office on
creating the flood plain zoning maps, before moratorium expires.
Structure #1 Pipe Drawdown — Project is now completed. Small pond
remains behind dam. Bill Ullom is upset with the size of the pond.
Possibility of going upstream and put in small dike. No influence on
dam, more additional waterfoul habitat. Committee may re -look at
situation at a later date.
Structure 42 Pipe Separation - County Highway completed the project
in about two days. Jensen stated that he had a letter sent to County
Highway Committee complementing them on their work.
AG BUILDING UPDATE
Sander presented price list prepared by Corporate Express for
furnishings for the conference rooms.
Discussed phone system and the cost for voice mail..
FARMLAND PRESERVATION APPLICATIONS
None.
RIVERWAY TASK FORCE
No report.
SUBDIVISION REVIEW
Heise presented Deer Path subdivision for information. Discussed road
layout within subdivision. County required road to extend to
adjoining property line. Town of Troy does not want road to property
line. If subdivision road is removed to property line, the road layout
does not meet County Ordinance: Chapter 18.16(D)(7)(e).
Discussed procedures and confusion on how and when plats are reviewed.
Heise commented on that the preliminary plats could be signed by
townships before county reviews. Recommended Zoning office to proceed
with letter to developers, surveyors, and townships, before new Zoning
Administrator arrives.
Certified Survey Map - Chris French/Green Acre Country Estates (Town
of Somerset) - Subdivision was approved 3-4 years ago. Lot #11 was to
remain as a 6-acre lot because of environmentally sensitive area,
ground water concerns. Sam Huffman-UW-River Falls assisted in the
review of this subdivision. Urhammer-developer split lot 11 by
affidavit sold 3 acres to Lot #3 Chris French and 3 acres to Lot 410.
French created C.S.M. to sell his 3 acres of formerly Lot #11. The
purpose was that this lot is environmentally sensitive and should
remain as platted. Plans to go before Planning & Zoning Committee.
Bethke made motion that due to the environmental issues involved, LWCC
reaffirms their past decision to not recommend approval of splitting
the lot as it affects land and water conservation. Berenschot
seconded. Carried.
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING POLICY AND STANDARDS
Heise reported that the "Professional Engineering Policy and
Standards" has been reviewed by Corporation Counsel. The wording of
the DESIGN portion has been changed according to the advice from
Corporation Counsel. Revised copies of the policy & standards were
handed out to LWCC.
VOUCHERS
Reviewed vouchers. Berenschot made motion to approve vouchers.
Seconded by Bethke. Carried.
Berenschot made motion to adjourn meeting at 11:50 a.m.
Seco ded by Raymond. Carried.
Jim ody, Sec etary
By Arlene Lier