Badger Oversight Management Commission - Planning and Land Use Subcommittee

BOMC Land Use Subcommittee Minutes (27 KB)

Those in attendance: Laura Olah, Steve Schmelzer, Michael Goc, Rick Walgenbach, Bill Wenzel, Craig Karr, Jenna McCann. Also Hank Kuehling and Eileen Pierce, DNR.

Introductions

Teresa Kreutzman is the new representative of the Sauk Prairie School District on the BOMC. Jenna McCann filled in for her at the PLU Committee meeting. They will share duties.

Old Business

1. BAAP Landfill Expansion.
   • Laura Olah shared information on the status of the permitting process for expansion of the landfill. The Army has submitted a Feasibility Study. After the DNR determines that the Feasibility Study is complete it will issue a public notice inviting public comments and providing the opportunity to request a hearing.
   • The proposal calls for expanding the landfill by 14 acres, 750,000 cubic yard capacity. Total landfill footprint will be 110 acres.
   • The Town of Merrimac has expressed interest in participating in the permitting process and a Town Committee is at work. They have asked for technical support to help them ensure issues such as groundwater contamination and noise are adequately addressed.
   • Questions were raised about additional clay borrowing.
2. Land Use Restrictions Data/Maps.
   • Hank Kuehling and Eileen Pierce shared what data DNR has in its Remediation and Redevelopment program database “RR Sites Map”, which is available on the DNR website.
   • Over 70 sites at Badger have already been “closed” – meaning in compliance with the rules and “no further action is required.”
   • Information on these sites as well as sites still in process is available on the site.

New Business

1. Badger History Group.
   • Michael Goc submitted a “Concept Plan for Proposed Land Use Development at Badger.” The proposal is to “preserve Building 200 as a history/learning center for use of all Badger property owners and stakeholders.”
   • After discussion the Committee took no formal action and suggested BHG present the Concept Plan proposal at the upcoming full BOMC meeting.
   • BHG was urged to obtain further information from the Army concerning possible contaminations in the building as well as operating costs.
2. “Standing” Agenda Items.
   • This proposal by Don Hammes was tabled until the next meeting.

Check-In

Steve Schmelzer reported that parcel/ownership property boundaries for parcels N, L, and W were posted with “State Recreation Area” signs.
DNR and USDA met recently to begin discussions concerning joint management issues such as USDA’s cropping of DNR lands; hunting; and access to Parcel M and the Thoelke Cemetery.

Bill Wenzel reported that $4500 is still in the Sauk County budget from the Badger Reuse Committee facilitation process. Bill hopes to meet with John Holst concerning future uses for these funds as well as the $10,000 HCN gaming revenue funds earmarked for Badger.

Jenna McCann shared that the Sauk Prairie School District is interested in helping plan future uses of the Badger lands with one being use of the property for “hands-on” activities for the students.

Craig Karr reported that scientists recently dove in the reservoir and filmed the salamanders. It appears the proposal will be to remove the salamanders and transfer them elsewhere – freeing the reservoirs to be demolished.
Craig also urged members to read the University of Minnesota grad student’s thesis which is a creative “master plan” for Badger.

Next Meeting

Tentative proposal for upcoming meeting is for the Second Thursday of every other month – beginning January 13. Potential agenda items include DNR information on master plan status; Don Hammes’ proposal on “Standing Agenda Items”; and Mike Casler reporting on the summer student intern project.