Badger Oversight Management Commission

Minutes (70 KB)

                             Badger Oversight Management Commission
                                               Meeting Recap
                                            October 18, 2012

The Badger Oversight Management Commission (BOMC) convened at the Sauk County West Square Building, Room 213, for a regular meeting on Thursday, October 18, 2012.

Chair Wenzel called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. Staff affirmed compliance with Open Meetings Law.

Attendance:
Commission Member Commission Representative Present
Ho-Chunk Nation John Holst
Wisconsin DNR Steve Schmelzer Craig Karr /Ryder Will
Sauk County Bill Wenzel
Town of Merrimac Richard Grant  Judy Ashford
Town of Sumpter Peter Mullen

Stakeholder Interest Stakeholder Rep
Citizens for Safe Water around Badger Laura Olah Yes
Bluffview Sanitary District Lisa Rutkowski
City of Baraboo Eugene Robkin
Sauk Prairie Cons. Alliance Dave Tremble
Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Don Hammes
The Village of Sauk City Bill Stehling

Commission Liaison Liaison Representative
None Present

Others present: Brian Simmert, Curt Meine, Gail Lamberty, David Sarify-Cox, Rob Nurre, Mike Carrignan, Diane Brusoe, Frank Olah, Donna Stehling.

Motion by John Holst, seconded by Peter Mullen, to adopt the agenda for the October 18, 2012 meeting. Motion Carried.

Motion by Peter Mullen, seconded by John Holst, to adopt the revised minutes from the September 20, 2012 meeting. Motion Carried.

Public Comment: Curt Meine presented an e-mail correspondence between himself and Mark Aquino, highlighting Aquino’s responses to Meine’s questions. Meine expressed concern that the DNR’s master plan will not be in concert with the Reuse Plan.

New Business – Commissioner Reports:
1. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Ryder Will reported on preparations for Saturday’s open house, route mapping, and stops. There is a short and long route. The long route includes parcel ‘M’. Hammes asked if contaminated sites are noted on the map. Will responded that landfill locations are noted. Discussion ensued regarding hunting regulations at Badger, monitoring and enforcement during hunting, and concerns related to the contamination of deer.

2. Town of Merrimac. No report.

3. Town of Sumpter. No report.

4. Bluffview Sanitary District. Rutkowski reported on the progress of all three projects and spoke about remaining work to be completed. The Bluffview well started up this week and the Badger well will start up next week along with start up of the lift station. By November 1 all projects are expected to be completed. Rutkowski reviewed a handout about the Bluffview Sanitary District that will be made available at the tour. Rutkowski reported that Bluffview has 600-650 people. There is only one water meter per apartment building, therefore, there are currently 32 water meters. Two additional water meters are coming online in the near future – a meter for the mobile home park and a meter for Badger. One additional meter will be installed at Building 207 once the property transfer has been completed. Olah asked about the settling ponds and wastewater treatment system. Rutkowski clarified that wastewater is diverted into Final Creek and then into an absorption pond. Olah also asked about asbestos discharge and that four monitoring wells be tested for asbestos. Rutkowski stated that the wells are the Army’s and that the Army has data on the wells. Olah commented that if sludges are removed, that it will be important that asbestos be controlled. There is possible asbestos contamination in Final Creek and the settling ponds. Olah asked if when the ground is frozen if wastewater dissipates before getting to settling pond No. 2. Robkin noted that in winter nitrogen discharge requirements are not met. Rutkowski noted that nitrogen discharge is calculated over a 12-month rolling average to meet requirements.

5. Sauk County. No Report.

6. Ho Chunk. Holst reported that the Nation became aware of and understands a letter written by GSA indicating that they were prepared to turn over parcels allocated to the Ho-Chunk to the DNR. The Nation has contacted BIA and GSA and DNR and has indicated their continued interest in pursuing the land. Holst stated that Mark Aquino was not aware why GSA made this statement and that DNR was not going to pursue the land until notified by the Nation they are no longer pursuing it. Holst indicated that there will be a meeting with GSA, BIA, and DNR to make sure that everyone understands the Nation’s continued interest in the land. Robkin stated that planning efforts should proceed assuming the Ho-Chunk will acquire the land until the final decision is made. It was suggested that a representative from Ho-Chunk be available at Stop 3 on the tour.

New Business – Committee Reports:
1. Executive and Finance. No Report.

2. Planning and Land Use. No Report. Karr noted the PLU Committee will meet the first or second week of November.

3. Education and Outreach. Bill Stehling reported that the Sauk Prairie School District, through the Right Stuff Buddies Program, took 1st – 4th graders onto the property on October 22nd and 24th.

4. Ad Hoc Committees. No Report.

New Business – Stakeholder Reports:

Michael Goc, BHT was unable to attend but sent a written report in his absence.

SPCA extends an invitation to attend hospitality tent at the tour.

New Business – Liaison Reports:
1. Army. No Report.

2. USDA. No Report. Discussion ensued regarding future attendance by liaisons at BOMC meetings and that they cannot be compelled to do so.

Other New Business Items:
1. Discussion regarding the SPRA master planning process.
Robkin referred to the e-mail correspondence between Curt Meine and Mark Aquino stating that he takes exception to the fact that Aquino states that he was not part of the reuse planning process. Robkin stated that the reuse committee met for 9-months and included representation from the DNR, including Aquino. Robkin also noted that meetings held to negotiate the MOA also included DNR representation and that Aquino was involved with these meetings.
Robkin also took exception to the comment that the Reuse Plan is “old.” Robkin stated that the BOMC has existed since day one with DNR representation and that the DNR was part of the entire process. Robkin also expressed concern regarding a quote by Aquino in the Baraboo News Republic that the DNR Plan for the SPRA would be as consistent with the Reuse Plan as possible.

Tremble noted that whenever Aquino talks, he refers to motor uses and not history and preservation and that BOMC needs to call Aquino on this. Tremble did not think he was involved in the reuse process; rather he was involved with the BIG process. The key issue is that Aquino has been here long enough to know the history. He needs to be called on this publically. Tremble stated that there cannot be any daylight between DNR and Reuse Plan. Someone needs to be held responsible for the divergence in long term interests at DNR.
Tremble also noted correlation between the application to NPS and the desire of DNR to implement low impact recreation; however, it is not known how low impact is defined in terms of the Reuse Plan.

Olah expressed frustration about getting different messages from DNR staff and the media reporting that DNR may be considering motorized vehicles as a possible future use. Olah felt that Aquino was not representing the process fairly. Olah would like to see BOMC address these issues with Aquino with consideration given to possible legislative involvement.

Bill Stehling asked if the DNR has a public relations officer that reviews news releases before they go out. DNR staff did indicate that there is internal staff that provides for this function. Donna Stehling spoke about ground nesting grassland birds as identified by studies. Stehling questioned how motorized uses can be compatible with this resource and studies and questioned the DNR’s commitment to preserving endangered and threatened species.

Hammes feels as though the DNR does not care and noted that the master plan draft will be made available for public comment.

Robkin stated that a reality may be that public input as part of this process may not be what it appears and that decisions are made at all levels and what follows is rationalzation of decisions already made. We need to make sure the DNR understands what is happening at the level of this group and the public at large.

Brusoe spoke about a matrix and, as part of this matrix, the question is asked if the use is consistent with the Reuse Plan, NPS requirements and also assesses whether there is a regional need. The DNR is required to consider all of the uses submitted.

The BOMC expressed concern that the DNR has become politicized at higher levels. Olah stated that there is a need to have a conversation with high level DNR officials and Aquino. Stehling noted that a rural community cannot provide services to more intensive uses.

Tremble stated there should not be a concern about individual proposed uses. Rather the concern is that as a proposed use comes up and they are reviewed through whatever criteria that accommodation is made for, multiple uses both intensive and non-intensive. The Reuse Plan requires that uses be integrated and compatible. Tremble asked if BOMC could have access to the criteria DNR is using to assess uses. Tremble agrees BOMC needs to communicate its concerns to DNR and ask why the DNR spokesperson is saying things that are not consistent with the planning process and that the issue of longstanding commitment needs to be addressed.

Hammes stated that after a meeting, the discussion needs to be confirmed in writing.

Robkin spoke about the bubble of exclusion. Using ATVs as an example of a use that has a big bubble- not many other uses can occur in this area. The ground impact of ATV use is high, with a long rate of recovery, whereas foot traffic is low impact, with a short rate of recovery.

Diane agreed to set up a meeting with DNR. It was agreed that Wenzel would meet with Aquino to discuss the BOMC’s concerns and report back at the next BOMC meeting.

2. Discussion regarding the upcoming tour of Badger.
There was no discussion as the topic was previously addressed.

3. Next Meeting Date: Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.

4. Public Comment: Gail Lamberty stated she was proud of the people in the room tonight for their passion and concern, that is was very evident we are all members of a community and to say thank you for your investment and caring.

Motion by John Holst, seconded by Peter Mullen, to adjourn at 9:32 p.m. Motion Carried.


Respectfully submitted, Richard Grant



Recap by Simmert