HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand & Water Conservation-Resource & Education Committee 06-02-98ST. CROIX COUNTY
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING
TC: Tom Dorsey, Chairman
St. Croix County Board
FROM: Art Jensen, Chairman
COMMITTEE TITLE: Land & Water Conservation/Resource & Education
Committee
DATE: June 2, 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
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Reports• DNR
NRCS
FSA
RC&D
West Central Area
Education Activities
Farmland Preservation
- Lenertz Farm, Inc.
Legislation/Environmental Stewardship
Priority Watershed Projects
- Kinnickinnic
- South Fork of Hay River
- Pilot Project/Conservation Credit
- St. Croix Lakes Cluster
Glen Hills Watershed - Flood Plain Study
- Structure #2 Pipe Separation
Wildlife Damage Program
Baldwin Ag Building Update
EQIP Plan
Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area
Discuss proposed Lower St. Croix River District zoning Amendment
Conservation Farmer Award
NEW BUSINESS:
Job Reclassifications*
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: May 19, 1998 - Amended May 29, 1998
COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE NEWS MEDIA/NOTICE BOARD
COUNTY CLERK COMMITTEE MEMBERS
* ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS/CHANGES
Convened: 9:00 a.m.
Adjourned: 11:55 a.m.
ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION/RESOURCE
& EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Agricultural Center, Baldwin, WI
June 2, 1998
Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Chris Bethke, Lois Burri, Jim
Cody, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: County Conservationist -Charles Christenson,
Technician -Bob Heise, Farmland Preservation Technician -David Sander,
Kinnickinnic Project Manager -Tim Popple, Watershed Interns -Katie
Eiring, Troy Dankemeyer, Secretary -Arlene Lier
Others Present: Don Siler-NRCS, Dick Gade, Matt Bobowski-FSA, Dave
Hausman-DNR, Cindy Sherman -Zoning Director
Meeting called to order by Chairman Art Jensen.
Berenschot made motion to adopt agenda. Raymond seconded. Carried.
Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, 1998 at 9:00 a.m.
Chairman Jensen welcomed new LWCC member Lois Burri.
Discussed April meeting minutes. Berenschot made motion to approve
April 6, 1998 meeting minutes with amendment to delete wording "Cudd's
cutting was approved by DNR. Corp Counsel wants to revise ordinance
to allow such cutting." under DISCUSS PROPOSED LOWER ST. CROIX RIVER
DISTRICT ZONING AMENDMENT. Seconded by Raymond. Carried.
Raymond made motion to approve May 7, 1998 meeting minutes. Seconded
by Bethke. Carried.
DNR
Dave Hausman (Conservation Warden) reported:
Fish kill occurred in Parker Creek and in part of the Kinnickinnic
River. It started on the headwaters of the south branch of Parker
Creek near 18th Avenue, where a farm field had been spread with liquid
manure immediately before a heavy rain on May 16th. There was nearly
100% kill of brook and brown trout in Parker Creek system. No dead
fish found above where Parker Creek enters Kinnickinnic River. Have
talked with the farmer and plan to meet with him again this week.
Popple stated that St. Croix County has a manure ordinance, however
does not apply to this situation. Have taken pictures/video. Will be
working with Warden Hausman and farmer.
There was a second incident down stream on the Kinnickinnic, likely
unrelated to the Parker Creek.
WPHRA update (Kris Belling): The Feasibility Study and Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Western Prairie Habitat
Restoration Area was released for public review on April 24, 1998. A
public hearing was held on May 27 to allow the public to testify on
the proposal and the EIS. There was a light turn -out for the hearing
but all of those who testified expressed support. Comments included
_concerns about development and the timeliness of this type of project
to maintain natural areas, concerns about wildlife populations, and
interest in various aspects of public involvement in the project.
Written comments on the EIS will be accepted until June 8 The
proposal is tentatively scheduled to go before the Natural Resources
Board in August.
CRP - Wildlife management staff have been busy coordinating seed
distribution to landowners, spraying and planting of warm -season
grasses in CRP fields.
DNR staff has made a commitment to regularly attend LWCC meetings.
NRCS
Siler handed out and discussed May activity report. Plantings are
underway for the 15th CRP sign up. Prairie plantings have run into a
lot of obstacles. Plans are still being written for the 16th sign up.
WHIP - One application has been approved for St. Croix County.
Another application for 10 acres adjacent to the approved one has been
submitted.
EQIP - 8 applications for the statewide cost share have been received.
Several requests have been made for EQIP in the two priority areas.
FSA
Gade introduced Matt Bobowski, FSA Program Assistant, who is assigned
to all conservation programs.
Bobowski stated that CRP takes up most of his time. Also works with
DNR and NRCS cost share programs. County has 882 CRP contracts on
34,714 acres. Contracts are revised forland sales and when land is
removed for other purposes County CRP rental payments total
approximately $2,000,000 annually.
Gade: Will participate with County Emergency Government in a number
of nuclear power plant exercises in Ellsworth.
FSA is currently taking acreage reports which are required where
fruits and vegetables are grown on AMTA farms, land enrolled in CRP,
non-insured crops, crops eligible for commodity loans or if one wants
to establish a record of planting history.
RC&D
Berenschot reported: Attended annual meeting held at Wapogasset Bible
Camp, Amery (Polk County). Plan to redesign steering committee to
include members other than agriculture -related. Election results:
Jim Hartung -President and Berenschot-Vice President.
WEST CENTRAL AREA
No meeting was held.
Summer tour will be on July 15 in Chippewa County. Bethke, Cody,
Jensen, and Raymond plan to attend.
EDUCATION ACTIVITIES
Sander reported:
Taught 4th grade students at St. Croix Central School -Roberts using
ground water model; followed with sewage treatment plant operation by
Village of Roberts treatment plant operator.
Will be counselor at conservation camp during June 9-12. Theme
"Evolutions of Rivers" - 40-50 students.
Kulow was involved in stream ecology workshop and gave talk on
wetlands to 5 classes at Glenwood City.
Burri will substitute for Cody as poster contest judge.
FARMLAND PRESERVATION
Lenertz Farm, Inc. - Sander stated that he is working with Lenertz on
developing farm plan.
LEGISLATIONZENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Christenson reported meeting some time ago with Congressman Ron Kind
at Black River Falls concerning a Mississippi initiative. This would
take special congressional action. There is a clean water initiative
in the present budget. Kind suggested we wait and see what develops
with the clean water initiative. Counties will be kept informed.
Adam Payne-WLWCA Executive Director can possibly keep counties
informed.
PRIORITY WATERSHED PROJECTS
Kinnickinnic - Popple introduced summer interns - Katie Eiring
(biology and resource management - Stevens Point student) and Troy
Dankemeyer (major -land use planning - River Falls graduate). Interns
will conduct resident surveys of the 3 watersheds in an attempt to get
bench mark of where we are today to show accomplishments through life
of watershed.
Work is progressing on 1997 EQIP projects. Design work is almost
done. Time line for completion: 6/15 - first round of 1999 sign up.
Give priority to top 50 - $60,000 worth of practices - Kinni, $30,000-
South Fork.
Kinni River Ravers Program - Will be offered to all age groups. The
different age groups will have an opportunity to complete various
activities. The watershed project will provide Project Wet training
to a core group of school teachers and they will train co-workers.
Time line for watershed plan: Complete before September 1998 LWCC
meeting and go to state Land & Water Board in December.
Lakes Cluster - Moratorium (5/1-7/1) on new cost share agreements.
Working to implement signed agreements.
GLEN HILLS WATERSHED
Flood Plain Study- Christenson reported that he attended May Finance
Committee meeting. Proposed cost estimate for 4 dams was accepted by
LWCC from Ayres Associates for $37,300.
There will be two structures (#7 & #8) remaining to complete study.
Finance Committee requested an estimate be prepared for the next
meeting for cost to complete these dams also. Ayres Associates
estimate received at cost of $27,700.
Discussion on who is obligated to do study. County is owner and is
responsible for maintenance and liability. Question to be resolved
now between DNR and County Corp Counsel representation.
Structure #2 Pipe Separation -
Engineer J. R. Ramsden. They
plan to repair pipe. This may
Possible funding from NRCS and
WILDLIFE DAMAGE PROGRAM
No report.
Met with Engineer Bob Henrich and State
are in the process of development of
be a design fault or weakness.
DNR is being explored.
BALDWIN AG BUILDING UPDATE
Sander reported that "open house" will be held on June 19, 1:00 to
4:00 p.m. Jensen personally okay'd $200.00 to be spent for
refreshments. All LWCC members should be present at open house.
WESTERN PRAIRIE HABITAT RESTORATION AREA
Prepared letter of support was read and discussed. Berenschot made
motion that Chairman Jensen sign support letter addressed to DNR-Eau
Claire. Bethke seconded. Carried.
DISCUSS PROPOSED LOWER ST. CROIX RIVER DISTRICT ZONING AMENDMENT
Final draft is coming from Task Force. More discussion coming up on
amendments at county level.
CONSERVATION FARMER AWARD
Names of candidates for awards were presented. Chosen were:
CONSERVATION FARMER -Bob Johnson, CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP-Erling
Lestrud, WATER QUALITY LEADERSHIP -Kent Johnson, WILDLIFE HABITAT
DEVELOPMENT -Vern Nagel. More information will be obtained on each
TEACHER award candidate: Christy Ohman((Glenwood City), Harold
Rivard(Somerset), Bill Gillis(Baldwin), and Tom Wells(New Richmond).
FARMLAND PRESERVATION APPLICATIONS
New application was presented for Bernard & Lucille Moll (Town of
Forest). Berenschot made motion that LWCC recommends approval of the
new Moll application to County Board and forwarding to state. Raymond
seconded. Carried.
SUBDIVISION REVIEW
White Eagle Golf Course (Sec.30 - Town of St. Joseph) - 350 acre
parcel, 18 hole golf course - Dan Schaaf (owner), William & Gill
Landscape Architects - Engineers Paul Miller and Jeff McDonald
attended meeting. Referred to May 22 letter. Will be presented at
Planning & Zoning Committee meeting on June 23. (1) Concerned with
the amount of phosphorus to be applied. (2) Phosphorus can be
incorporated gradually. Working with Dr. Sam Hoffman-UW-River Falls
on ground water management plan. Also working with Ron Struss-DNR on
erosion control (SB. 216). Berenschot made motion to accept the storm
water and erosion control plans on conditions set forth and to have
the concerns of the May 22 letter fully documented on a complete set
of plans no later than June 10, 1998 to give staff adequate time to
review. Bethke seconded. Carried.
Meadowoods (Sec. 3 - Town of Somerset) - 12 lot major, 40 acres -
Reviewed storm water and erosion control plans. Road may have site.
distance problem. Bethke made motion that LWCC recommends that the
storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable for the
subdivision. Cody seconded. Carried.
VOUCHERS
Reviewed vouchers. Bethke questioned "Wisconsin DNR" voucher.
Christenson explained that $750 of amount will be reimbursed through DNR
grant (conservation aids and balance from license fees in the
conservation fund).
Bethke made motion to approve vouchers. Seconded by Berrenschot.
Carried.
MISCELLANEOUS
Lier presented the LWCD/NRCS meeting -training schedule for June.
Christenson stated that it is now time for submitting job
reclassification requests to Personnel. New job description should be
drafted for Heise. Jensen made motion for approval of job
reclassification request for Heise. Berrenschot seconded. Carried.
Joe Marter/Goodrich Farms situation - Need inspection plan from Joe
Marter detailing how, what, and when inspection will be made. Scheduled
to meet with Marter and Goodrich on 6/4.
Mary VanFossen-DNR regarding Bass Lake Boat Landing (north end of Bass
Lake) - According to state law, boat landing area is owned by DNR and
has to be leased from DNR (owner) before county can receive aids for the
project. Mary VanFossen will be at the July meeting to explain.
Squaw Lake - Problems replacing dock - Parking lot has too many parking
spots to meet present regulation. Staff working to resolve.
PIC (Private Industry Council) has assigned a youth (Phillip Kasinskas)
to our department as a work/training site. The program will run for 10
weeks (June 15-August 22).
Saw a demonstration of the Power Trac mower at Glen Hills structures.
Attended an AAST (computer systems) meeting in Eau Claire. The FOCS
program is being closed out. It will be replaced by a new Window based
system with GIS capabilities. The new system will be a working tool
instead of only generating reports.
Je sen a Journed meeting at 11:55 a.m.
Ji) ( Cody, Secretary
By Arlene Lier