MINUTES

LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION/RESOURCE & EDUCATION COMMITTEE

 Convened: 9:00 a.m. Adjourned: 11:45 a.m.

ST. CROIX COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION/RESOURCE

& EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Agricultural Center, Baldwin, WI

January 4, 2000

Members Present: Leon Berenschot, Chris Bethke, Lois Burri, Art Jensen, Ron Raymond

Members Absent: Jim Cody

Staff Present: County Conservationist-Charles Christenson, County Technician-Bob Heise, County Technician-David Sander, Kinnickinnic Project Manager-Tim Popple, Lakes Cluster Project Manager-Pete Kling, South Fork /Kinnickinnic Project Technician-Kyle Kulow, Secretary-Arlene Lier

Others Present: Dale Gagner, Dave Vold-NRCS; Dick Gade-FSA; Eunice Post, Duane Popple-DNR; Dave Fodroczi-County Planning

Meeting called to order by Chairman Art Jensen.

Bethke made motion to adopt agenda. Raymond seconded. Carried.

Berenschot made motion to approve December 7, 1999 meeting minutes. Seconded by Bethke. Carried.

Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 1, 2000 at 9:00 a.m.

DNR

Eunice Post(Water Regulations Specialist) reported:

Wildlife - Bear application deadline is January 14.

Air Management – Attempting to develop a consistent guideline for animal feedlots and hazardous air emissions.

Private Lands Wildlife – Working on wetland restoration project in Town of Cylon.

Vegetation Control Project – WDNR Potten Tract – In order to control and restore the vegetation on the proposed project area, Wildlife and Fisheries Management will be shearing undesirable woody vegetation along the Kinnickinnic River in preparation to restore a grass prairie. Will use heavy equipment such a bulldozer and hydro-axe to shear off the boxelder trees along the stream during the winter months to minimize soil disturbance and move large amounts of debris to be burned in preparation for replanting. This project will enhance the natural plant and animal communities along the stream corridor, restoring vegetation cover to types found during pre-settlement. Some spot spraying with herbicides may be necessary to eliminate re-sprouting.

Forestry - State nursery has developed two "shoreland planting packets" for sale for spring 2000. Packets contain a mixture of trees and shrubs based on whether the land is sandy or fine textured. The packets do not appear on the official tree order forms because the forms were printed before the packets were developed. To order the packet, the name of the packet must be written on the tree order form. (Tree order forms printed for spring 2001 will include the "shoreland planting packet".) An informational pamphlet is available. Each packet costs $102.00 plus sales tax.

Conservation Warden Dave Hausman has been named the new Warden Supervisor. He will be located at the Baldwin office.

St. Croix River – Landowners advisory committee drafting language for management plan concerning cutting and pruning trees.

Animal Waste staff – DNR, due to staff shortages, has decided to focus on units that would have the greatest benefit.

Jeanne Calhoun – Issues WPS permits in the 18 counties. Works one-half time (20 hours) per week as NOD’s (notice of discharge) for manure handling operations. Department has decided that their staff would focus on specific areas to complete NOD’s.

Duane Popple reported: Area of responsibility is water quality management including areas within 1,000 feet of lakes and ponds; 300 feet of streams and rivers.

WDPS – Covers areas concerned with animal waste problems causing immediate threats to human health.

Tim Popple commented: He is part of the Nutrient Management Users Group. They are working on revising manure handling rules with focus on large facilities.

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

Gagner, acting D.C., reported on NRCS activities and plans for CRP signup.

Dave Vold reported: D.C. position will be advertised, agency wide, after position description has been completed. When panel of applicants is selected, he will be talking with LWCC members to get their opinions. Hopefully a new D.C. will be here in March or April.

CRP – Sign-up is scheduled for January 18-February 11. Three temporary employees are scheduled to help.

There is a continuous sign-up for field windbreaks, filter strips - Wetlands adjoining crop land to qualify.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Glickman has stated that nation needs to spend more money on conservation.

Legislation providing funds to address needed work on aging watershed dams will provide funds starting in 2000.

Legislation proposal that FSA staff convert to civil service status has been drafted.

CED R. Gade reported: He suggested that NRCS and LWCC consider working relations between agencies when filling the NRCS District Conservationist and LWCD County Conservationist positions. St. Croix County has had a history of excellent working relations.

FSA program activity continues to be busy. Low commodity prices allow farmers to be eligible for loan deficiency payments on their 1999 grain. More than 1700 LDP applications have been processed generating $3 million to St. Croix County farmers. Forty-five commodity loans have been made using 1999 grain for collateral for $1.7 million.

A new oil seed program will be available shortly which will include soybeans.

Participants in the CRP received $2 million for their 1999 annual payments. A new CRP signup will run from January 18-February 11, 2000.

Farm Loan Officer, Jerry Peterson has been detailed to Washington D.C. for two weeks at a time through March 2000 to review cases filed by black farmers which is a class action consent decree lawsuit against USDA alleging discrimination concerning loans and farm programs. More than 20,000 claims have been filed.

CED Gade announced his plans to retire from FSA effective March 31, 2000.

Berenschot reported:

· North Central meeting changed to Oneida, March 22-24.

· Will attend the state RC&D meeting on January 21.

Sander reported: This is the slow time of the year. He will be doing a talk on woodland animals.

Kling reported: St. Mary’s School working on grant to restore some prairies.

Popple reported on plans for department to serve as a regional environmental resource center. Grant would be co-sponsored with River Falls School District to be used for Water Education Days and the resource center. Currently have to borrow hip boots, dip nets, chemistry kits, etc. from the Beaver Creek Reserve located near Eau Claire.

Sander reported: 1999 zoning certificates are now being issued.

Program Update – Fodroczi summarized legislative changes proposed. Would have converted from a Farmland Preservation program to a conservation credit program. Land use planning would have been eliminated from program. If passed, local units of government adopting exclusive agriculture zoning ordinances would be required to specify a minimum lot size, which may be larger or smaller than the current 35-acre minimum. Was removed from the last budget bill.

Suggested members read "On Common Ground" issue on farmland preservation. Something has to happen within next legislature on "land use."

South Fork – Kulow reported on the 1998 Pollution Reduction Incentive payments to 22 individuals. Goal was 50% of crop land. Upland incentive payments for 1998 is 29.6%, 1999 is 36% (in two years). Total payment for 1998 is $40,174(DNR reimbursement not received yet) and $48,656 for 1999. Berenschot questioned what landowners have to do: Nutrient management plans have to be developed and each field has to meet tolerable soil loss("T").

Lakes Cluster – Squaw Lake dock will be moved to Pine Lake. New Bass Lake and Squaw Lake docks are here but not installed. Bass Lake needs added work by County Highway. Spring installation planned.

Pheasants Forever and Squaw Lake Association combined money for purchase of land from Vern Teske.

Kling discussed Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Committee meeting – Discussion covered GIS and how area will be managed. How to choose land? Second meeting scheduled for January 4.

New grant program could provide up to $50,000. Grant application due in March. Propose Upper Willow River Watershed area.

Cedar Creek Flume – Nothing new to report.

Kinnickinnic – Popple: Summarizing practices on Kinni. Have paid out $70,000 EQIP funds in priority area. Did not turn any back. Federal were able to roll over ACRA money to next year.

Steering Committee – Meet monthly.

Working with Lynda Meyers on narrative for two different grants. There will not be any large cost to school district. Kinni Land Trust to serve as handler for grant funds.

Nutrient management team – Meet at least every 2 months. Purpose is to get consistency in what counties are providing in writing nutrient management plans.

Berenschot commended Popple’s work.

Heise reported: The composite map has been completed but does need minor changes.

LWCC stated "Keep map simple."

Informational meetings scheduled to review the draft flood plain zoning map: Town of Springfield (1/10 - 6:30 p.m.) and Town of Glenwood (1/11 - 7:30 p.m.).

Presented one claim amounting to $403.00 for Harold Frey(town of Cady). Kulow and Dankemeyer have worked on this claim. Berenschot made motion to approve. Raymond seconded. Carried.

Christenson reported that voice mail is in and operating.

State electrical inspector spent time at the building determining what changes (corrections) have been completed.

Gade questioned the possibility of generator noise on northeast corner. He expressed his concerns about the location and plans. Would there be an underground storage tank?

No problems with Y2K.

COUNTY CONSERVATIONIST POSITION

Christenson reported that the deadline for county conservation position applications is January 7. LWCC will work with Personnel Director Deb Kathan on screening and scheduling interviews. He plans to leave February 29.

Sander reported that the 2-year work plan is in draft form and is ready for the committee’s review.

A draft of the resource management plan will be taken to Corporate Counsel for review prior to public hearing.

Public hearing date has been set for March 1, 7:00 p.m., at the Ag Service and Education Center.

Kling reported: Going forward slowly. Meeting scheduled with Greg Timmerman on January 13 to discuss easements.

SUBDIVISION REVIEW

Glover Station Fifth Addition – 97.362 acres (Sec. 16, Town of Troy) - Heise presented Glover

Station Fifth Addition subdivision (32 single family lots, minimum lot size 2.5 acres). Berenschot made motion to recommend that storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable and a letter be sent to Planning & Development Committee. Bethke seconded. Carried.

Pine Acres – 112.4 acres (Sec. 13, Town of Star Prairie) – Heise presented Pine Acres subdivision (57 single family lots, minimum lot size 1.5 acres). Bethke made motion to recommend that storm water and erosion control plans are acceptable and a letter be sent to the Planning & Development Committee. Berenschot seconded.

Reviewed vouchers. Berenschot questioned the voucher for Corporate Express ($3,275.95). Christenson explained that $1,779.25 was for relocating Sander and setting up the engineering room. $1,418.35 was reimbursed by UW-Extension. Jensen made motion to approve the vouchers with the condition that we receive check from DNR before paying the South Fork watershed cost share vouchers. Seconded by Raymond. Seconded by Bethke. Carried.

Kling reported that the conservation awards dinner/DHI awards dinner will be held on February 7 at the Coachman Supper Club. It is being held jointly for a one-year trial.

Raymond made motion to adjourn meeting at 11:45 a.m. Seconded by Bethke. Carried.

Arlene Lier

Acting Secretary

Jim Cody

Secretary