Badger Oversight Management Group - BOMC

Minutes (109 KB)

The Badger Interim Oversight Management Commission (IOMC) convened at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant Bldg 207 for its regular meeting on Thursday, November 18, 2010.

Chair Wenzel called the meeting to order at 6:37 pm. Staff affirmed compliance with Open Meetings Laws.

Attendance:

Others present: Gina Templin, Frank Olah, Gail Lamberty, David Serafy-Cox, Verlyn Mueller, Curt Meine, Dana White Quam, Terre Carlson, and Donna Stehling.

Motion by Ashford, seconded by Walgenbach, to adopt the agenda for the November 18, 2010 meeting. Motion carried.

Minutes to be addressed at next meeting.

Commissioner Reports:

1. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources:
   • Smelcer said Karr sent out the report and stated he could answer any questions.
2. Town of Merrimac:
   • Ashford state that Grant has left for Arizona and she will be the Town representative in his absence.
3. Town of Sumpter:
   • No report.
4. Bluffview Sanitary District
   • Rempas stated Jeff Little is stepping down as President of the Bluffview Sanitary District as of first of the year however he will remain in area and offer help as needed. MSA is involved as the consultant and will offer services as necessary. She stated they are looking into getting two new return activated sludge pumps. Army and Spec Pro are helping them to get pumps. Army is also assisting with fencing around the treatment plant and in the planning stages of that project. She stated that at the last meeting interest was expressed in knowing about the lift station, which was presented in a hand out at that time.

   Olah asked about the WPDS permit and expirations. Kenney stated expiration may not happen, but when sanitary district acquires property it switches over to them.

5. Sauk County:
   • No report.
6. HoChunk:
   • No report.

Committee Reports:

1. Executive and Finance.

   Wenzel stated there is no report, as they have been unable to meet. Hammes was anxious to find out how the commission can get access to the money donated by the HoChunk to the County and upset that the Executive and Finance committee has not met to discuss it. Hammes stated he feels that it is an issue that needs to be resolved and wants to get the funds from the County. Wenzel stated the committee is trying to meet and will discuss it. Tremble stated the discussion at last meeting was to have organizations bring up ideas how to have it spent and bring it to the committee. The group confirmed for Hammes that the money is not going to be lost if it is not spent, but is a carry-forward account and that there is no rush to get the money from the County, especially when there are no projects or a plan to use the money towards that is in the best interest of the property. The commission agreed that each subcommittee/group would provide ideas for use of the funds and bring the full commission for discussion.

2. Planning and Land Use.

   Smelcer spoke of next meeting being January 13th. Minutes from the previous meeting were presented by email. Robkin spoke of the DNR review of a thesis for Badger and feels that those things should come to the BOMC not just the planning and land use committee so that the full group is aware and understands what is taking place, rather than hearing about it once it is done.

   Hammes stated he felt that the biggest thing happening is the planning of new landfill. He spoke of the clay available with more to be available in the future and curious how much has already been removed for the area for use in the landfill and the report talks about impact at the landfill, but no impacts of the borrow site have been mentioned. He feels an impact study should be done on the borrow site and how the removal will impact the site, the environment, hydrology, etc., as this is a fundamental change in the land. Kenney summarized where the clay deposits are located and the Army reserves the right to retain the clay and use it for the landfill. She used a map to show where the clay is removed from and explained that the removal of the clay is providing significant duck and geese habitat. DNR has looked over the landfill area and borrow area and the hydrology was studied when Otter Creek was studied.

   Goc asked about surface area. Kenney stated about 30 or so acres at the base of the bluff.

   Frank Olah asked if there was clay that met the specifications and if it went to the permeable area, it would not all be removed and some clay material would be left remaining so that the water would not infiltrate through. Kenney spoke of the drainage patterns, contour swale and any material that did not meet specs gets backfilled.

   Tremble asked what “specs” she refers to. Kenney stated it is related to the quality of the clay relating to landfill regulations. Tremble asked how you can make sure too much clay isn’t taken so that the resource isn’t damaged. Kenney stated they use soil borings and the geology and the wells that have been placed at the base of the bluff as a way to get a complete profile.

   Greendeer spoke of the federal policy of borrow sites. She stated the Nation sees the borrow site as a benefit, due to the information and the fact the army is the one using the borrow pit and filling the site. She spoke of information from the Army on the clay.

   Hammes asked for DNR and Hochunk to get together to determine what impact the clay removal has on the land. The Commission, instead of the request made by Hammes, asked the Army to provide historical environmental documentation for the borrow pit, as well as borings and soil observations from the pits. Kenney will research and provide to the commission at a later date.

   Goc asked about the Faust on R4. Kenney stated they are waiting for the DNR to provide their comments. He spoke of the Badger History group’s interest in Bldg 200 to be saved.

3. Education and Outreach.
   • No report.
4. AdHoc: David Serafy
   • Cox requested the commission supporting/organizing/attending a tour(s) to other facilities. Tremble suggested identifing locations to look at and get out of the box and to add an agenda item for next meeting relating to the discussion where similar efforts are going on and who to contact to either visit or bring presenters back. Hammes suggested Neil Smith Prairie east of DeMoines, IA. Goc suggested the Cahokia Mound. Tremble asked for the committees to bring examples to the full commission at a later date. Greendeer asked for information to include native centers, such as the one located in Albequerque, NM. It was also noted that the Northern Wisconsin Visitors Center outside of Ashland would be a good place to start. All suggestions go to Stehling to be funneled back to the committee. Stehling spoke of the Chicago Wilderness material she has.

Liaison Reports:

1. US Army:

   Kenney confirmed that the BIA is engaged in the process again and hopefully will have a representative to look at the property to start what they need for their transfer. Sewer removal has been finished, state closure and then the Faust to come. The B lines are pretty much removed and then they will move onto C line, but winter will stall the process until next spring. She stated the goal is to have all buildings removed by spring. The landfill expansion was briefly discussed as well as the winter months opening the grounds to hunting. She also spoke of the uncertainty of the future hunting due to the footprint decreasing and resources going away, as the new landowners will have to discuss the hunting program.

   Wenzel asked Schmelzer about future hunting. Schmelzer stated they would like to see the hunting continue but it hasn’t been discussed yet.

   Walgenbach spoke of regulations, manage the program, etc., but work with DNR and Hochunk and also need to check into hunting regulations/requirements on federal lands.

   Gail Lamberty asked for time frame for HoChunk transfer. Kenney stated that transfer was to be done last year. Waiting on BIA. Greendeer stated about 500 acres being reviewed by BIA and there is no timeline for their review.

   Stehling asked about handicapped hunters. Kenney stated they have a stand-alone hunt for handicapped hunters, but has no statistics.

   Robkin asked about seeds used for the sanitary line removal. Kenney stated it was DOT seed.

   Kenney stated blasting is done until the weather warms up. She then spoke of the water district. (New Business Item #2). She provided fact sheets on the water district supply. She spoke of more required monitoring, offering alterative to put in water district that is constructed by the Army and operated by the Towns. Towns with highest evaluation (Merrimac) would run the district and the lands located in Merrimac, Sumpter, PdS towns would be served by the water district. It will provides clean water, providing the army measurable costs now, where monitoring costs is unknown. The plan thus far has been well received by towns and Army will pay for construction, 1 year of operation and design then turn it over to the district to administer (Merrimac with a commission underneath it). The Town of Prairie du Sac and Village of Prairie wants to provide their own service. District boundaries are not set yet, and need to figure out where practical, where can well be located and what will it take to be viable into the future. Estimated to have up and running in 3 years once started.

   Lamberty asked about any Dairy Forage impact. Kenney stated Dairy Forage has to weigh in and has received no formal feedback from them or DNR.

   Wenzel asked about a water drawn down. Kenney stated that will be looked at, but the idea is once this is installed, the abandonment of residential wells would take place. Army would pay for connection to home and abandonment.

   Robkin asked about water from the plant going to the river. Kenney spoke of water testing and the amount of residuals in the water.

   Wenzel spoke of treating the water and continuing to monitor ground water and the extent and condition of the plums. Kenney spoke of studying to see benefits of treating versus the district. Currently it takes $1.6 million to continue to treat and monitor.

   Hammes stated he appreciates the Army taking the extra step of taking down buildings and recycling cement and putting in a new sewer system, rather than just fixing up the old one and all the extra measures are being done for the people who live around here.

2. USDA:
   • Walgenbach had nothing to report other than meeting with DNR about cropping and other issues on parcel L.

New Business:

1. Discussion and possible action on the 10th anniversary Badger Reuse. DT small meeting regarding planning for anniversary celebration. Will send out recap of meeting. Looking for additional brainstorming session in the future and have in a more public location Discussion and possible action on BOMC participation in planning for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Badger Reuse Plan. No formal action taken.
2. Discussion and possible action relating to the Army proposal for a district water supply. Discussed under US Army Liaison report.
3. Discussion and possible action on ATC resolution. Frank Olah provided a copy of a letter sent to ATC from Ken Lange. The committee reviewed the resolution also drafted by Olah to present to ATC. Robkin recommended a letter be sent to ATC and invite them to see the property, but also outline the information that was contained in the resolution. Olah suggested contacting ATC and PSC. Tremble suggested taking info from the draft resolution and put into a letter. Letter to come from Bill attached with invite to come to next meeting. Frank and Donna will draft a letter for Bill to sign.
4. Review of remarks made by Tammy Baldwin at land transfer ceremony. Remarks were sent via email and reviewed.
5. Discussion and possible action on Badger History Group application.
   • Goc spoke of the attempt to preserve Building 200 and the application to the planning and land use committee. Goc summarized the highlights of the application. Discussion took place regarding the financial burden of the building to repair, replace and maintain. Building 200 location will be lands transferred to DNR. Schmelzer stated he could not comment on whether or not the DNR would choose to retain the building, especially if there was a financial burden to it with no plans or assistance from other sources. No action is required. Goc to provide committee with information that was presented to planning and land use committee and asked for open communication between the Army and BOMC regarding the status of Building 200.
6. Next meeting date:
   • Thursday, January 20, 2011 @ 6:30 p.m.
7. Public comment:
   • None.

Motion by Ashford, second by Schmelzer to adjourn. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted: Judy Ashford

Recap by: Templin