Badger Oversight Management Commission

July BOMC Committee Recap (72 KB)

Badger Oversight Management Commission
Meeting Recap
July 21, 2011

The Badger Oversight Management Commission (BOMC) convened at the Sauk County West
Square Building, Room 213, for its regular meeting on Thursday, July 21, 2011.

Chair Wenzel called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm. Staff affirmed compliance with Open
Meetings Laws.

Attendance:

Commission Member  Commission Representative
Wisconsin DNR Steve Schmelzer,Craig Karr
Sauk County Bill Wenzel
Town of Merrimac Richard Grant
Stakeholder Interest Stakeholder Rep
Badger History Group Michael Goc
Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger Laura Olah
UW-Baraboo Ann Vogel
Bluffview Sanitary District Lisa Rutkowski
City of Baraboo Eugene Robkin
The Village of Sauk City Bill Stehling
Commission Liaison Liaison Representative
U.S. Army Joan Kenney Yes

Others present: Brian Simmert, Brentt Michalek, Cherrie Nolden, David Serafy-Cox, Gail
Lamberty, Terre Carlson, Donna Stehling, and Dana White Quam.

Motion by Richard Grant, seconded by Steve Schmelzer, to adopt the agenda for the July 21,
2011 meeting. Motion carried.

Motion by Richard Grant, seconded by Steve Schmelzer to adopt the minutes from the May 19,
2011 meeting. Motion carried.

Public Comment:
None.

Commissioner Reports:
1. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Steve Schmelzer referenced the activity
report submitted by Craig Karr dated May 19 to July 18, 2011. Schmelzer reported that the
recent tour was a success.
2. Town of Merrimac: No Report
3. Town of Sumpter: No report
4. Bluffview Sanitary: Lisa Rutkowski gave an update on the CDBG application and
indicated review will be completed by the end of July. The grant funds would be allocated to
upgrades to the lift station. A safe drinking water grant was applied for and a finding list of
projects will be generated in September. This grant money will be allocated to the master meter
project and wellhouse improvement project. Grant asked about a dollar value to upgrades.
Rutkowski said both projects combined would be $500,000. Both grants may provide some funding and
will be combined with low interest loans. It is not clear what impact these projects will have on
residential rates. Wenzel asked Rutkowski to provide a document outlining future improvements that will
need to be made to the sanitary system. Wenzel also asked about alternatives for the sanitary system.
5. Sauk County: Wenzel spoke about the final rail to trails meeting. A Sauk County Board
resolution was unanimously approved in support and the Rails to Trails Subcommittee of the Economic
Development Committee was formed. The charge of the subcommittee is to establish a trail through Sauk
Prairie up to the Badger property.
Funding for the BOMC was discussed. Wenzel indicated that the matter is on the next Planning, Zoning
and Land Records Committee to seek clarification. Minutes of meetings were discussed. It was
suggested that only abbreviated minutes be taken to save staff time. Donna Stehling said that detailed
minutes were taken to document the process. The group agreed that the process was making and history
and needs to be fully documented and good records need to be kept. Kenny suggested that another option
is to have a volunteer to take notes. Wenzel indicated that with previous Planning & Zoning Director, it
was understood that the Planning & Zoning Department would be part of the process. Grant said that if
we researched past BOMC minutes, Lance Gurney volunteered the Department to play this role. Goc
asked that since this is a County Committee, than isn’t the County obligated? Goc also asked about the
cost. Brentt Michalek indicated about $30-$50 an hour. Goc asked if it would be possible to hire a
competent clerical person.
6. Ho-Chunk: No Report

Committee Reports:
1. Executive and Finance: No Report
2. Planning and Land Use: Craig Karr informed the group that the committee met last
week. The primary discussion item was the request for approval of a research project that will utilize
goats/sheep to remove brush and other vegetation. Don Kirner spoke about a proposal to construct a
memorial at Badger. Kirner submitted a recommendation to create an ad hoc committee to address the
memorial and how to recognize munitions workers and the Ho-Chunk on the property. BOMC suggested
that Kirner work through the land use committee. See a letter submitted by Don Kiner dates July 5, 2011.


3. Education and Outreach: No members of the Committee were present. Donna Stehling
reported that there was no progress on the visitor center. Stehling spoke about how to address the
identity of the future visitor center and space needs. Goc asked how the master plan will address the
visitor center. Karr indicated that the Devils Lake master plan would not address the details of the visitor
center. Robkin indicated that the history began preglacial and went from there. Do not overlook Native
Americans as part of the history. The group asked is people are stopping at the Badger History Group
display. Bill Stehling noted that there is a sign, but people do not notice it. Goc spoke about stories to be
told to define the historical identity of a place. Dana suggested that establishing a visitor center will
require a larger scale planning process and getting the public involved in helping define this place and this
will allow the incorporation of multiple interpretations. Donna Stehling also spoke about locating the
building or multiple buildings and how it will fit into the site/landscape. It was noted that the Badger
Reuse Plan will be guiding the process to build upon the idea of a visitor’s center.
Discussion ensued regarding easement access to the cemeteries. Kenny indicated that all future land
owners will allow access. The real issue is that Town of Sumpter does not want to take the cemeteries
any earlier than they have to.
4. AdHoc: No Report

Liaison Reports:
1. US Army: Joan Kenny indicated that building 207 was turned over to DNR control. The
meeting room is currently occupied by the museum. Training room is still available for a few more
months. Work continues on demolition, decontamination, except for holidays. Groundwater study results
are available at cleanwaterwelldone.com Grant asked how much longer decontamination will take place.
Kenny suspects that exploratory work will take place for about one more year.
2. USDA: No Report

New Business:
1. Report from Dana White-Quam regarding the rail-to-trail conversion at BAAP. Quam
reported that the DNR and DOT are working to draft an agreement for a trail through the plant. The
easement northeast gate to ‘Y’ (the army’s industrial spur), is owned in part by the DOT. It is not
anticipated that this ownership pattern will affect the effort. Because it is classified as an industrial spur
and not under service transportation jurisdiction, the typical process to convert rails to trails does not
apply. An MOU will be developed with the DOT to use this line as a trail. Part of the Badger State Trail
is under a similar agreement. The MOU will establish the right to use the easement for a trail. The
easement corridor cannot be moved, but that does not obligate the trail along the entire easement.
Location of the trail will be determined through the master planning process.
The MOU between DOT and DNR will acknowledge the agreement between BOMC and the DOT that
will be acknowledged in the rails to trails agreement. Bill Stehling asked about deadlines. Quam felt that
the deadline would be met. Wenzel asked if the trail does not have to run along the rail line, is there a
possibility that someone may make a case that the rail line could be used for rail. Quam indicated that
under the agreement the railroad could take it back any time for a viable railroad use. The State/DOT
would decide if a line could be put back in. A rail road would have to demonstrate their need.
Regarding the rail line to Reedsburg, Wisconsin southern and the rail commission are in negotiations with
Union Pacific to purchase the rail line. This may open up opportunities for the trails project. The line
going through sauk priaire-would have to petition for abandonment. Then DNR has 90 days to accept
financial responsibility for the corridor and then puts the line in the rails to trail conversion. DOT has
first right of refusal when a line is abandoned, then it goes to DNR, then local municipalities could accept
financial responsibility. If under DNR control , they maintain real estate transactions such as allowing
utilities, however it still requires approval from the rail transit commission. Olah asked if the rails to
trails program limits uses on trails. Quam indicated that it depends on what the local municipality wants.
Some trails are multi use with ATV’s, snowmobiles etc. The master plan would likely define what
specific uses will be allowed and when.
2. Discussion and possible action regarding the use of small ruminants such as goats and
control brush at BAAP. Karr gave a history of how this proposal came to be. Cherrie Nolden
explained the use of goats to manage brush in prairie sites. There are existing businesses that use goats
and sheep to manage brush, so this is not a new concept. There is an existing site by Yellowstone State
Park to maintain oak savanna. At Badger, the goal would be to reestablish prairie. The study will look at
the effect on the prairie as well as an assessment animal health and profits for a producer. The project
will also give an opportunity for farmers to see this tool at Badger and it can serve as a community
education opportunity. This is a two year proposal, as it typically takes two years to control brush.
Paddocks will be built and t- posts will remain after the study to identify boundaries for future study.
Nolden indicated that a SARE grant will fund two years of research. If funded, it will not be provided
until 2012. There will be a pilot project this year to determine the number of animals needed to control
brush and duration and size. The grazing is proposed to occur year round to look at seasonality impact.
In winter animals will need to be supplemental feeding. Schmelzer indicated that access will occur
through dairy forage and it is not known what will be accessible in winter. Nolen is requesting an official
letter to show SARE that there are official approvals. The project will also need a letter from the DNR.
Motion by Grant, seconded by Schmelzer to have the BOMC develop and submit to Nolden a letter of
approval.
3. Next meeting date: Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 6:30 p.m.
4. Public Comment: None

Motion by Grant, second by Schmelzer to adjourn @ 9:17 Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Judy Ashford
Recap by Simmert