Land Conservation Committee

July LCC Minutes 2010 (25 KB)

Meeting called to order by Chair Wiese at 9:00 a.m. It was certified that the requirements of the open meeting law have been met. Present were Borleske, Murray, Puttkamer, Wiese and Zowin from the Committee; Norgard-FSA; Livingston-DNR; Van Berkel, Stanek and Pohle-LCD; Bill and Nate Helm-Quest. Kriegl was absent.

Adopt agenda:

Motion by Borleske/Murray to adopt the agenda. Motion carried, all in favor.

Adopt minutes of previous meeting:

Motion by Borleske/Puttkamer to adopt the minutes of the regular LCC meeting on June 17. Motion carried, all in favor.

Public comment:

A. Report from Youth Conservation Camp attendees - Nate Helm-Quest told about his experiences at camp and his father Bill noted that the camp is an extremely valuable, quality experience. He strongly encouraged the county to continue sponsoring youth to attend conservation camps.

Communications:

1. Thursday Note(s) - Van Berkel reviewed the July 8 Thursday Note.
2. Southern Area Association Meeting and Tour - Linda Borleske will attend, and Peter Murray will possibly attend.
3. Thank you cards from all the Youth Conservation Camp attendees were distributed.
4. Lake Redstone request for letter of support for DNR Sediment Study and Watershed Planning Project Proposals. Committee requested staff write a letter of support for the grant.

Review and approval of vouchers:

Voucher summaries were distributed to the Committee members. Motion by Zowin/Borleske to approve bills in the amount of $42,110.13. Motion carried, all in favor.

Legislative updates:

Van Berkel informed the LCC that the Natural Resources Board approved the NR151 changes. Some of the changes that will impact our work long-term but not immediately are: the establishment of a 5' tillage setback from streams, setting a soil phosphorus index of 6, adding project grants to the Targeted Runoff Management (TRM) program and allowing nutrient management/phosphorus trading.

Proposed rental adjustment on Health Care Center Cropland:

Stanek discussed the lagoon spreading on the Health Care Center cropland Marty Pertzborn is renting. This spreading delayed him from planting crops. There are 59.7 acres affected. Pertzborn is requesting $100/acre rent reduction for the possible loss of crops and lower yields, etc. due the late planting date. Motion by Zowin/Murray to offer $75/acre on all 59.7 acres. Motion carried, all in favor. If Pertzborn does not accept the proposal, Committee suggested he come to a meeting to discuss it with them.

2010 Transect Survey results: Stanek distributed handout "2010 Transect Survey Data and Observations" and discussed the results.

Working Lands Initiative (WLI) workload:

The letter sent to all Farmland Preservation participants from Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) addressing changes to the WLI program was discussed. Van Berkel emphasized the increased workload involved.

Cost sharing on manure storage closure:

Van Berkel noted there is a need for closure of abandoned manure storage facilities, but they do not rank high for either federal or state cost- share funds. He suggested the department initiate a county cost sharing that would fund 70 percent of the cost of closure up to a $5,000 maximum. There is approximately $100,000 of county funds available from the closed watershed projects. Use of this for closure would be an important groundwater protection practice. Motion by Borleske/Zowin to authorize up to $5,000 or 70 percent maximum cost share on manure storage closures out of the carryforward funds. Motion carried, all in favor.

Clean Sweep Program update and consider approval of fall event:

Van Berkel reported on the June Clean Sweep Program at the landfill. There was $75,000 budgeted this year and an additional $29,000 DATCP Grant. There is approximately $60,000 remaining. He recommended a half-day event in Plain on Saturday, October 2 to try to get the total quantity out in the county reduced while there are funds yet this year and then budget $25-$30,000 each year in the future. No action required.

Reports:

1. Land Conservation Department (LCD) report - The monthly report was distributed.
2. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) report - None.
3. Farm Service Agency (FSA) report - Norgard reported they are preparing for a general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup in early August, last one was in 2006, expecting high interest.
4. Foresters' report - Livingston reported tree planting is down but expects that it could increase with the new CRP enrollment slated in August. Kloppenburg is in Canada fighting fires for two weeks. They are busy with programs - WI Forest Landowner Grant Program, Managed Forest Law, EQIP. State Gypsy Moth Coordinator flew over county to monitor defoliation. Sauk County defoliation was high with 25,000 acres and included defoliation from forest tent caterpillar and elm spanworm. No findings of Emerald Ash Borer in Sauk County to date but trap monitoring continues. Will have more problems next year with Gypsy Moths caterpillar feeding but the wet spring and summer has favored fungus and viral diseases that appears to have killed many Gypsy Moth caterpillars. The time commitment to address Gypsy Moth will need to be increased in the future.
5. Economic Development Committee report - Murray reported on the public meeting on Rails and Trails. County Board Chair Marty Krueger brought in 17 stakeholders to see what the issues are and there was good discussion. Key issues from the stakeholders were condensed from 22 down to 3. Another meeting will be held but date has not been set yet.
6. Mirror Lake District report - None.
7. Lake Virginia Management District report - Nothing new, annual meeting is September 11.
8. Lake Redstone Management District report - Next meeting is July 13.

Motion to adjourn until August 12 at 9:00 a.m. by Borleske/Murray at 11:42 a.m. Motion carried, all in favor.

Respectfully submitted by:  Kathy Zowin, Secretary