Badger Oversight Managment Group - BOMC

The Badger Interim Oversight Management Commission (IOMC) convened at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant Bldg 200 Training Room for its regular meeting on Thursday, September 23, 2010.

Chair Wenzel called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm. Staff affirmed compliance with Open Meetings Laws.

Attendance:

Others present: Brian Simmert, Dave Tremble, Frank Olah, Gail Lamberty, David Serafy-Cox, Terre Carlson, and Donna Stehling.

Motion by Grant, seconded by Stehling to adopt the agenda for the September 23, 2010 meeting. Motion carried.

Motion by Mullen, seconded by Grant to adopt the minutes for the May 26, 2010 meeting. Motion carried.

Welcome to new representatives from Sauk Prairie Schools: Teresa Kreutzmann. She has been with the Sauk Prairie Schools for 20 years in various roles. Currently working with kids who do conservation projects as part of an advanced biology class that gives them real life field biology opportunities.

Public Comment:

Donna Stehling reported that she will have 25-30 students out on the hillside prairie to work on burdock.

Commissioner Reports:

1. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Smelcer said Karr sent out the report, dated September 7, 2010. Wenzel asked about recent drainage problems on Town of Merrimac and DNR property. Smelcer indicated a road was graded resulting in a change in drainage patterns. He indicated that the landowner will likely need to re-grade to correct the problem. Grant said the work was done on an easement (not a road) and it is clearly noted what the allowable use is of the easement. With regard to the KLN and W parcels, Wenzel noted that a private appraiser has been brought in to determine PELT amounts. Greendeer asked who the appraiser is. Smelcer indicated he was not sure.
2. Town of Merrimac: Grant noted general trash dumping along roads. He is watching the Clingman parcel and recently noted the dumping of brush.
3. Town of Sumpter: Mullen noted that the town has objections with regard to gaining ownership of the cemeteries and expressed by the town’s attorney. The main point of objection regarded access in that there is nothing documented that will secure town access. Concern was expressed that if the town did not acquire the cemeteries and if the cemeteries are the last to transfer, the army may carve out a larger area around the cemeteries and sell them. Kenny indicated that access cannot be specifically defined at this point until transfers occur. Kenny suggested that parcel M3, which is surrounded by DNR land, be transferred as easement agreements between the town and DNR could be rectified. GSA does not intend to make the cemetery transfers a high priority if the town is not willing to move forth.
4. Bluffview Sanitary District – Rempas indicated that water sampling for August has been completed and bacteria in the water have been corrected. The water no longer chlorinated. She noted that the District is considering installing runtime meters on each pump to assess usage and maintenance requirements. Stehling noted lights on the little pump house and asked what they are for. Rempas indicated that the lights may signal problems and that Jeff Little corrects pump problems. Rempas said she would provide a written report for this meeting and successive meetings. Grant verified that when rain water gets into sanitary system the lift station gets overwhelmed. Grant asked how flow is recorded as it flows into the treatment plant. Rempus said MSA does the monitoring with an automatic sampling system. Grant asked about differences in conditions with regard to water quality at different times.
5. Sauk County: Wenzel – Reported on the stakeholder meetings regarding rails and trails. The goal is to develop a county-wide railroad policy to arrive at a win-win outcome between rails and trails. He anticipates an additional three to four meetings of discussion He indicated that the latest meeting included the railroad, co-op and the Sauk Prairie area governments and that the railroad intends to come up with 3-4 proposals, working with the coop, to present at a later meeting. Part of the discussion may include reactivating the rail line through the plant to serve the coop. Discussion about a permanent railroad easement ensued, and in particular focused on an easement termination provision that states, “a nonuse of an easement for a consecutive two-year period for the purpose for which granted.” The two-year period presumably is when the easement was first recorded and after that time is could become a trail.

   Hammas asked about $10,000 from Ho-chunk to Planning & Zoning for administrative purposes. Wenzel suggested that the group come up with ideas of how to use the funds. Greendeer clarified that the only restriction with the money is that it could not be used for projects that are adverse to the Ho-Chunk. Also, the money makes sure that if resources are needed from the county the funds are there.
   Hammas asked if the county can place restrictions on the use of the money. It was noted that the Planning, Zoning and Land Records Committee guides expenditures and that this Committee is an approving authority. Wenzel indicated that there is discussion with regard to the combination of the Planning & Zoning and Land Conservation Departments. Regardless of the outcome, the group hopes to receive continued support from Planning & Zoning. One idea for use of the money, in addition to administrative tasks, is to use it to leverage additional funds from grants. If money is not used, within any one annual period, it will be rolled over and can be added to in successive years. Mullen suggested that some of money be allocated to scholarships. Tremble suggested that we look at the funding more systematically rather than reacting spontaneous ideas. He suggested the group should develop some priorities as they relate to Badger and the reuse plan. Wenzel suggested that an ad hoc committee could be established or it could be discussed within existing committees. Hammas suggested that an open form could be developed to get ideas to help give the county direction and to document proposed projects and decisions. Donna Stehling noted that the arts and extension committee has forms people use to apply for arts grants and that these cold serve as a template. Greendeer indicated that the money should be used collectively rather than just prioritized for the Nation’s parcel. Greendeer suggested a survey to determine preferred projects which can be forwarded to Sauk County. It was noted that the SP Conservation Alliance has grant writing and community outreach experience that could be useful.

   Smelcer suggested that the Executive and Finance Committee clarify and set some priorities as to how the funds can be used. Then those projects that are suggested, provided they meet the priorities, could be approved.

   Olah suggested we use the money to take us through the process to set priorities to select projects, possibly by hiring a facilitator or other person to coordinate the process.

   Wenzel indicated he thinks the current group can determine priorities. Tremble indicated that a facilitator knows how to draw conversation out and be efficient, keep on track. Hammas felt the group can handle it and that with only $10,000 one or two projects would exhaust the money. Olah clarified that it will be important to know where we are going. Holst agreed that it will be first important to identify the goals while considering the use of the funding to target additional funding, or at least use the money as efficiently as possible.

   Wenzel suggested that everyone come up with ideas of what the money could be used for to begin the thought process. Olah suggested that we try to generate ideas, and if that does not work, get a facilitator. Ideas are to be sent to Gina Templin in the next couple of weeks for compilation. While brainstorming ideas ask the questions: How does it fit into the Reuse Plan? and How does this idea further what to do at Badger?

   Discussion of the status of the DOD appropriations. Baldwin said it is in the appropriation request status and has not been approved.

6. HoChunk: See also the report handed out dated September 27, 2010. Greendeer reported on the Public Benefit Conveyance Process (PBC). She stated that using the conservation and wildlife option will show the intent of the Nation’s use of the parcel slated for transfer and that the fair market value of the land is waived if it shows a benefit to the public. BIA is moving forward with the conveyance of lands. Olah asked if a letter from this commission will help with the PBC designation. Frank Olah pointed out that interns came to USDA and gave a presentation of the work they were doing. Applause went out to the Ho-Chunk for stepping up to the plate and funding the intern work.

Committee Reports:

1. Executive and Finance. No report.
2. Planning and Land Use. Smelcer indicated that planning for parcel N ‘Clingman’ continues. He stated that the naming of the property as a whole was tabled. He also referred to the activity report by Karr and dated September 7, 2010.
3. Education and Outreach. Donna Stehling talked about invasive species removal. Bluebird trail attacked by feral cats.
4. AdHoc. No Report- has not met.

Liaison Reports:

1. US Army: Kenny reported that blasting will continue and that they are behind. She anticipates 500 more acres to transfer to DNR and a transfer to Ho-Chunk pending the BIA process. Removal of buildings will continue in the rest of plant and the army has been removing buildings at the request of the new owners, to mitigate future liability. Olah asked if the army will need to create additional borrow areas for landfill expansion. Kenny indicated that the army may continue to remove clay from borrow sites after transfer and that there are borrow sites identified but not used. Olah asked if there are opportunities for the public to participate regarding the landfill transfers to DNR.
2. USDA: Walgenbach indicated that there was no new report on the planning of the new facility. He spoke about the successful intern program and that Mike Casler reported to the planning and land use committee regarding the data on the sampling the interns did with switchgrass. Nancy Betzold, also from USDA, received a 3-year grant though the Baldwin Idea for development. The ‘Idea’ pilot project invited top students and teachers from 10 local school districts to work hands on with Dairy Forage scientists for an entire day. The project showcases the activities of Dairy Forage and work at Badger. If the pilot works, it will be expanded to the 11 stations in the State. This will enable students to travel to various stations and learn what research is and what it takes to be a researcher. The program is called ‘Scientist for a Day’.

New Business:

1. Discussion and possible action relating to Rails to Trails and Permanent Easement through BAAP for Wis-DOT. Wenzel indicated that the consensus of the discussion thus far is that railroads are essential. One possible outcome could be a railroad through Badger. Wenzel spoke about the co-op moving their operation to the Merrimac-Reedsburg line at the ‘Y’, however the railroad indicated that this is not the best scenario for them or the co-op, but that the best scenario would be to rebuild the Sauk Bridge. Wenzel indicated that the railroad may not resign the Union Pacific line and if they do this, then Reedsburg may be left without rail. It was noted that it also does not appear to be cost effective to serve Reedsburg with rail. A question that came up is how could it be profitable to serve the co-op if they rebuild the Sauk bridge, if serving Reedsburg does not appear to be profitable. No action taken.
2. Discussion and possible action on BOMC participation in planning for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Badger Reuse Plan. Tremble noted that the 10th anniversary will be in March 2011. Lamberty put out an inquiry to get thoughts on what to do to celebrate the reuse pan. Donna Stehling suggested a display with maps, photos accomplishments etc. Thoughts for participation should be sent to Tremble or Lamberty. At the November meeting, they should be able to present concrete ideas. Holst will also talk to someone from the Nation’s public relations office to consider involvement. No formal action taken.
3. Discussion and possible action relating to American Transmission Company Easement through BAAP. ATC currently has an easement though Badger which is limited to 100 foot structures. It is likely that the easement would need to be amended to increase the height of the structures. Holst moved to recommend that the BOMC communicate to ATC to move the line out to Hwy 12, second by Grant. Discussion. Donna Stehling noted that communities worked hard on comprehensive planning to preserve the view shed. Tremble suggested that a formal letter be sent to ATC, sent by Wenzel. Olah suggested that we talk with groups involved with Baraboo Hills protection to make sure the thinking is consistent. The original motion was amended by Wenzel to state that the BOMC communicate to ATC the principles of the reuse plan and the ecological work occurring at Badger. Motion Carried
4. Discussion and possible action relating to the Town of Merrimac Resolution on Parcel N/Clingman property (Badger Pumphouse) Grant noted that the resolution approved by the Town of Merrimac Board entitled, “A Resolution Addressing Usage of Badger Army Ammunition Plant Parcel N/Clingman Property (The Badger Pumphouse). Grant made a motion that the BOMC support the resolution and pass this support along to the DNR. Secondened my Mullen. Tremble asked about the wording on the second ‘be it further resolved’. The group agreed that the language was confusing. Grant clarified that the language pertains to the Clingman property only. Donna Stehling asked if there is interest with the DNR to install a boat launch. Smelcer indicated that at one point the natural resources board has discussed the possibility of a boat launch. Motion Carried with Smelcer abstaining.

Next meeting date:

Thursday, November 18, 2010 @ 6:30 p.m. Future agenda items include discussion and possible action regarding BOMC participation on the 10th Anniversary of the Reuse Plan.

Public comment:

None.

Motion by Mullen, second Grant to adjourn. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted: Richard Grant, Secretary

Recap by: Simmert