Land Conservation Committee

March 10 LCC 2011 Minutes (26 KB)

MINUTES

Meeting called to order by Chair Wiese at 9:43 a.m. It was certified that the requirements of the open meeting law have been met. Present were Borleske, Kriegl, Murray, Puttkamer, and Wiese from the Committee; Norgard-FSA; Brereton-NRCS; Pohle and Bergstrom-LCD; Schauf-County Adminstrator; Montgomery, Gaffield, and Dahl-Montgomery & Associates; Stone-Department of Commerce; Terry McCormick; Joe Van Berkel; Vicki Marquardt; Gordy Jensen; Terry Turnquist; Steve Smelzer-Devil's Lake State Park; Ken Vertein-Conservation Congress; Warren Terry and Judy Spring-Sustain Sauk County; Zowin had an excused absence.

Adopt agenda: Motion by Borleske/Puttkamer to adopt the agenda. Motion carried, all in favor.

Adopt minutes of previous meeting: Motion by Murray/Borleske to adopt the minutes of the regular LCC meeting on February 10. Motion carried, all in favor.

Public comment: None.

Pedal Power presentation for March County Board: Pohle provided the draft handout for the County Board meeting's Pedal Power presentation. Recommendations were taken to include information showing how much energy is being produced and a final copy will be sent to the LCC before the County Board meeting. After the meeting, LCC members observed the program.

Review of Conservation Congress Annual Meeting Agenda and consider comments for representatives: Vertein noted that the annual meeting will be on Monday, April 11, at UW-Baraboo/Sauk County at 7:00 p.m. The "Annual Spring Fish & Wildlife Rule Hearings" was routed to the LCC. There are not any major changes being proposed.

There will be a white-tail deer herd status meeting for Sauk and Columbia counties on March 23 from 6-8 p.m. at UW-Barboo/Sauk County.

A listing of the meetings, members, and activities in each of the Sauk County Sportsmen's Alliance clubs was provided to Bergstrom.

Update on Clark Congress Annual Meeting Agenda and consider comments for representatives: Gaffield noted that there were 19 alternatives looked at. They were narrowed down to five recommendations and action plans. The following recommendations including estimated costs were presented: 1-Reduce woody debris; 2-Flood control dry dam; 3-Distributed flood storage areas; 4-Flood diversion channel; 5-Purchase or floodproofing of structures. The county will be hiring a limited-term employee (LTE) to be the point person to work on negotiation pieces, etc. Motion by Kriegl/Borleske to extend the DNR grant agreement to March 31, 2011. Motion carried, all in favor.

Department 2010 Annual Report: Bergstrom reviewed the annual report with the LCC.

Department Continuity of Operations: This form is an internal report for the department and does not need approval from the LCC. There was discussion on staff shortages in the Land Conservation Department and work not getting done. LCC recommended documenting what is not being done. Discussed trying to get the vacant positions filled and the need to revise the form regarding alternative coverage. Motion by Kriegl/Murray to send a message to the Administrative Coordinator and Controller, with a copy to the LCC, stating that the Continuity of Operations column "Alternative Coverage (short and long term)" is only adequate on an emergency basis and is not adequate to meet the permanent/ongoing needs on the report. Form is somewhat misleading and be should be revised for easier understanding. Motion carried, all in favor.

Discussion and possible action on Badger Coulee Transmission Line: As directed at the February LCC meeting, a draft letter was prepared regarding the line placement Motion by Borleske/Murray to approve the letter and to include a map of the Baraboo Range. Motion carried, all in favor.

Rental of agricultural land at new Health Care Center: The LCD will advertise for one-year bids on 12 acres of cropland at the new Health Care Center. A conditional use permit was received from the City of Reedsburg with an additional condition that we notify residents before harvest. Field will be planted to corn or soybeans. Bids will be brought to the LCC for approval at the April meeting.

Department staffing updates: Bergstrom stated we are hiring a three-month LTE soon, Joe Van Berkel will be the LTE on the Clark Creek program and Baraboo River Cleanup grant, and will have two summer interns.

Review and approval of vouchers: Voucher summaries were distributed to the Committee members. Motion by Borleske/Murrary to approve bills in the amount of $2,769.35. Motion carried, all in favor.

Communications:

A. Thursday Note(s)-None.

Legislative updates: None.

Reports:

A. Land Conservation Department (LCD) report-The monthly report was reviewed with the LCC. Murray also recommended YEPS resubmit their application for the 2011 Invader Crusader Award and refocus it on youth. The applications are currently not available.

B. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) report-Brereton reported that in Sauk County 20 landowners were approved for contracts in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for a total of $297,458. Five applications were not funded at this time, but could be, if more funds become available. One Sauk County landowner was funded under the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) for $48,233 for streambank and habitat work in Bear Creek. One WHIP application was not funded.

C. Farm Service Agency (FSA) report-Norgard reported that a general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup will start on Monday, March 14. It is nationwide with competitive bids offered that runs through April 15.

D. Foresters' report-None.

E. Economic Development Committee report-Murray noted that their meeting was comprised of updates on rails for Rails to Trails, and they did not get to trails. They are meeting tonight regarding the trail development.

F. Mirror Lake District report-None.

G. Lake Virginia Management District report-None.

H. Lake Redstone Management District report-None.

Motion to adjourn until April 14 at 9:00 a.m. by Borleske/Murrary at 12:15 p.m. Motion carried, all in favor. Tentative meeting dates of May 12 and June 9 were selected with one being held at 6:30 p.m. for budget discussion.

Respectfully submitted:   Kathy Zowin, Secretary