Badger Oversight Management Commission

Minutes (77 KB)

                                            Badger Oversight Management Commission
                                                                  Meeting Recap
                                                             September 19, 2013

The Badger Oversight Management Commission (BOMC) convened at the Sauk County West Square Building, Baraboo, for a regular meeting on Thursday, September 19, 2013.

Chair Wenzel called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m.  Staff affirmed compliance with Open Meetings Law.

Attendance:
Commission Member Commission Representative Present
Ho-Chunk Nation Randy Poelma
Wisconsin DNR Ryder Will  
Sauk County Bill Wenzel   
Town of Merrimac Richard Grant
Town of Sumpter Peter Mullen  

Stakeholder Interest Stakeholder Rep 
Badger History Group Michael Goc   
Citizens for Safe Water around Badger Laura Olah 
UW-Baraboo Seth Taft 
City of Baraboo Eugene Robkin 
Sauk Prairie Cons. Alliance  Gail Lamberty
Wisconsin Wildlife Federation Don Hammes
The Village of Sauk City Bill Stehling

Commission Liaison Liaison Representative 
 
Others present.  Terre Carlson, Frank Olah, Mary Carol Solum, Rob Nurre, Gail Lamberty, Donna Stehling, Craig Schlender
 
Motion by Will seconded by Mullin, to adopt the agenda for the September 19, 2013 meeting.  Motion Carried.  

Motion by Grant, seconded by Poelma to adopt the amended minutes from the August 15, 2013 meeting.  Motion Carried.

Changes:
#1 Page 2. Identify that Grant arrived at 6:20 p.m.
#2 Page 3. Grant said he would be happy to bring alt. 4 to the town meeting as a committee report.
#3 Page 3. After second sentence.  Grant left at 7:20 p.m. prior to any subsequent actions.
#4 Page 1. Change Goc to Yes under attendance.

Lamberty SPCA recommended corrections to minutes be sent in prior to the meeting to save time. Hard copy for clarity to be discussed by all, then if agreed upon to amend minutes.

Public Comment: 

Rob Nurre was very impressed with the BOMC process and wisdom of those who worked on Alternative 4 and he felt that those involved did a marvelous job of working within the WDNR system to create something more in line with the Reuse Plan.  Alternative 4 is widely supported by many entities including public entities. Disappointed that the DNR is still promoting the uses of ATV and shooting ranges.  We all need to work together and be prepared for the next step.  Encouraged working positively to achieve a good outcome.

Mary Carol Solum. Thanked the DNR for the open house and the Badger History Group for the day they spent on the prairie.  Felt it was a positive experience.

Craig Schlender.  Feels sad at some of the fallout at the WDNR, feeling the Marc Aquino is not listening to his own WDNR employees.  It seems to him that the process is being guided by someone above in the WDNR hierarchy.  Wenzel asked who does he think can address this.  Schlender responded with  sportsmen, voters, etc. and feels someone at the DNR should step down; mainly the higher-ups.  Robkin stated that there is a hierarchy in freedom of action, and if what you say is what you feel, you need to take that to another venue.  The BOMC is not the place for action on this issue.

New Business – Commissioner Reports:

1.  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.  Will reported that the open house was well received and they appreciated the effort of all of those involved, they counted roughly 1000 people coming through.  At the first open house there was more curiosity, and it was good to see that there is still interest and a good turnout.  A number of former employees were out there as well.  The WDNR is beginning to wrap up their summer season.  They would like to place a taller fence near the reservoir.  They have run into issues with the salamanders and would need a few more studies to complete their work with those reservoirs.  

He noted that Diane Brusoe has taken another job with the department.  Her replacement will come to a future meeting.
He stated that there were over a thousand comments received and they will need time to go through them.  A summary will be coming soon. 

Lamberty had a question on what type of soil contamination is under the slabs?  Will will bring information to a  future meeting.

Hammes asked what is the time table again for the master plan?  He was asked to bring a time table to a future meeting.  Will stated that he can bring something but he stated that he believes it has not changed from what Diane Brusoe outlined and it is available on the website. 

Hammes asked about the upcoming hunting season.  Will, it will be open for the 9-day regular deer and the 4-day antlerless season. 

Hammes asked is it open for anything, as he thought it would be.  Will thought it would not be open outside the 9-day.  Conversation continued on the hunting season discussion.

Hammes asked what is happening to the three plumes heading toward the river?  Will stated that he is not sure, however the Army would be the responsible party. 

Lamberty read from page 5, 2nd paragraph of the minutes that Dave Tremble will talk with Woody Meyer to invite him to a future meeting.  Will said it may be worth inviting him through a formal process.

Wenzel asked if the public comments would be made available.  Will replied that they would.

2.  Town of Merrimac.  Dick Grant had nothing to report other than at the last town board meeting he did relay Tremble’s concerns to the Town Board.  No result to report.

Lamberty: who is Grant's alternative to the BOMC? Grant: at present none.

Robkin asked if the minutes of their meeting were recorded.  Dick stated that the meeting was not recorded, at least in the beginning, and told him to ask the Town of Merrimac for the minutes and recording.

3.  Town of Sumpter.   Pete Mullen

The town supported Alternative 4 and it was passed unanimously.  Pete passed out the minutes from their meeting.  They also passed an ordinance on Bluffview (Town of Sumpter) mobile home/camping.

4.  Sauk County.  Wenzel

Talks are continuing on the trail.  It has moved on from the conceptual phase.  The County Board Chair is keeping us apprised of the process and the meetings as they occur.  The discussion is focused on an area from the Sauk City Bridge to Devil’s Lake State Park, which will include Badger.  It is also focused on what the MOU will include and the various entities which may partake in the development of the trail.

Donna Stehling stated the she is on the Rails to Trails committee and that the municipalities have stated they want Sauk County to take the lead on the discussions.  No specifics as yet. 

Marty apprises the Sauk County Executive and Legislative Committee on this as well.

Hammes. Is the committee discussing the size of the trail and the usage?  Donna Stehling stated the rail is not ours yet, so that discussion is premature.

Hammes asked about the Ho-Chunk money this year.   Poelma stated that he will wait for request and guidance on this.  Hammes: is it our responsibility to ask Ho-Chunk for how that money is addressed.   Wenzel stated that it comes here first for discussion and request then on to the Finance Committee and the full County Board for approval.

Hammes and Lamberty asked what was left in the budget for the BOMC.  Michalek answered the budget questions related to the BOMC Ho-Chunk dollars. 

Wenzel suggested that at the next meeting discussions could be held to create direction and use for the money.

Robkin thought that any discussion should be brought to the committee as a whole for how to handle requests and how to accept requests for use of the funds. 

Lamberty asked questions about the Sauk County picnic.  Donna Stehling gave the details of the meeting and the proposed events of the day.  Natural Beauty Council was given praise for their work on the picnic.

5. Ho-Chunk 

Poelma stated that the Nation intends to use clean concrete for road projects.  Ho-Chunk thinks it would be best stored on the Badger Ho-Chuck parcel.   The WDNR will be drafting an MOA with the Nation to temporarily store concrete for the Hwy 12 reconstruction project.  Lamberty asked if the Ho-Chunk will provide comments to the WDNR.  Poelma stated they have provided the comments to the WDNR and detailed what was in the letter provided to the WDNR. HoChunk discussed letter to DNR re alt 4 and requested copy be sent to all.

Hammes asked for an update from BIA.  Poelma is unaware of any new information, but they are still expecting something this fall. 

New Business – Committee Reports: 
1.  Executive and Finance.  No Report.
2.  Planning and Land Use.  Poelma reported that they have not met. 
3. Education and Outreach.   Taft had questions on the operation of the committee, if a commission member must be chair, and how the bylaws operate.  Questions were asked on how to reconstitute the E&O Committee.  Discussion and opinions continued this discussion.   Robkin suggested looking to the bylaws for some answers.
4.  Ad Hoc Committees.    None.

New Business – Stakeholder Reports: 

Bluffview Sanitary District.  Mullen
They are working to transfer parcel T to the Bluffview sanitary district.   Talked about the mowing on the sludge beds.  MSA gave a report on the water system operation and sampling and stated that there were no compliance issues.  Sewer system operation is working well.  Excavating was completed and final payments were approved. 
Reported problems of bluegreen algae at the shores of Lake Wisconsin.  Others added their feelings,  experiences, and suggested direction for this issue.  

Wenzel stated that the RAB does not meet anymore for the discussion of these types of pollution issues.  Suggesting that the RAB would be the best forum for this if it was still meeting.  Others were in agreement.

Citizens for Safe Water Around Badger (CSWAB).    Olah
Handed out information from CSWAB.  Also submitted a letter in support of Alternative 4 and they had handed out petitions to submit to the DNR.  This petition was not in support of ATVs and shooting ranges.  The Army stated that they had completed the cleanup of Lake Wisconsin, and Olah stated that the DNR has proof that has not been completed.   She gave a report on the issues on the lack of groundwater cleanup and that her group is beginning to refocus their efforts on this, since the last couple of months were spent supporting Alternative 4. 

Wenzel asked about the propellant burning grounds.   Wenzel was present on site back then as a contractor and voices concerns then about the contract specs for cleanup, what volume was intended to be removed, and how was it determined?   Olah said if you go back to the data and how it was collected, the Army focused on specific locations based on records searched and a recollection of those workers involved.  She thought that the Army did not do confirmation sampling and that without confirmation sampling it cannot be certain that all has been collected and that it is safe for all the proposed future activities at Badger.  Olah stated that there is no data and sited Gruber’s Grove Bay as an example.  

Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance (SPCA).   Lamberty
At the open house, the goats were the biggest hit during the tour.  Talked about Cherrie Nolden’s work with the goats.  Feels that the popularity of the goats is a reflection of the interest at Badger.  Suggested that the state legislature be included on the agenda e-mail list.

Suggested that the follow-up items should be part of the recap.  Perhaps this should be under a new title for Old Business. 
Wenzel posed that question to the group.  Robkin suggested that the action item be completed during the committee review or during the commissioners’ reports. Hammes suggested declaring them as action items. Bill Stehling suggested calling them follow-up items. 

Lamberty  handed out SPCA response to the WDNR Draft Vision Goals, and Conceptual Alternatives and stated that a petition was also circulated which supported low impact usage. 

Will thanked SPCA for the work that they do on the prairie.

Village of Sauk City – Bill Stehling handed out the Village of Sauk City resolution supporting Alternative 4.  He mentioned articles from various papers and read some quotes attached to Mark Aquino.  He also read some opinions and comments for the papers.
 
Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (WWF).   Hammes
Wanted to reiterate some of what Laura Olah stated and feels there are seven environmental issues still needing to be addressed at Badger: 
• The three plumes that are not defined;
• How much asbestos is in the soil;
• The Army still needs to address the mercury in Gruber’s Grove Bay; 
• A study on the contamination of fish in Lake Wisconsin used blue gills which are not a proper indicator of contaminants, other fish should be used;
• The Wisconsin Division of Health wrote a letter stating that it is possible that the cows and sheep used for grazing could be contaminated
• Wetlands have not been delineated and no mitigation has been performed on the wetlands that have been filled
• There is still DNT potential in the soil and this should be investigated. 
These were at one time being talked about at RAB, and it should be revisited.  The Army appears to have walked away from this.  Just wanted to get this information and concerns out.  Because of the ten years of work already completed, the Army seems to have just left this stuff drift away, he is not going to let this happen. 

Robkin stated that if the asbestos siding that was taken off the buildings was run over by vehicles,  then   the soil is contaminated.  He believes if a proper investigation is done asbestos will be found.

Badger History Group (BHG). Goc
The history group voted unanimously for Alternative 4.   He would like to be on the Education and Outreach group and asked how the group will define what Education and Outreach would be.  Taft read that the subcommittee must consist of one commissioner representative and four stakeholders and they would need to define their direction once they begin to meet.
UW Baraboo.  Taft forwarded the public opinion survey to the University.
Wenzel identified that the county approved the funding for a dorm at the University.

City of Baraboo.  Robkin identified that there was a resolution supporting Alternative 4 and it was passed unanimously by the city.   Wanted to reiterate Badger as an enormous economic value to the region.    

New Business – Liaison Reports: 
1.  Army.   Not Present.
2.  USDA.  Not Present. 

Other New Business Items: 
1. Review of BOMC organizational documents and history.

Robkin has been reading the information and believes there are a number of rumors, misinformation, and errors.  He stated the MOU is signed.  The New England Office of the General Services Administration in Boston has been very helpful and a lot of information has been received.  Robkin read the introduction from his report titled, “Rumors and Errors.”  Robkin went on to detail that report.  Also, he went on to detail the MOU.  Continued to detail that the group should continue for 25 years with 5 year extension agreements.  

Don Hammes - Thanked Robkin for the time and information he placed into this document. Stating that all should review this and any corrections or additions should be discussed at the next meeting after everyone has had the opportunity to review the documents provided.

Robkin described a document from the GSA that details the BOMC. 

2. Report on discussions with stakeholders regarding BOMC.

Wenzel said this is an ongoing process.  Would like to complete this by the next meeting.  Lamberty wanted to thank Wenzel for his work on the Commission.

3. Report from stakeholders regarding responses to the WDNR’s draft vision, goals, and conceptual alternatives.

Lamberty stated BOMC, Sauk City, Prairie du Sac, City of Baraboo, Sumpter, CSWAB, Sauk Prairie Conservation Alliance, Badger History Group, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and, Ho-Chunk all support Alternative 4.  This list speaks to the goals, dedication, and credibility of this group and to its need for longevity. 

Wenzel feels this group helps speaks for the land owners in this Commission.

Robkin added that the documents he handed out are only a fraction of what he has.  He detailed that this group went on to become a community and was grown by consensus. 

4. Discussion and possible action: Speakers/Presentations for upcoming commission meetings.

Olah stated that there are a couple of interim months between now and when the next public comment period starts.  She would like to begin to gather volunteers to present potentially on cultural and historical aspects particularly, Parcel M.  Talked about having people from various WDNR Management teams.  Comments that the ATV and shooting  range have been there and we should have people to talk about the natural resources aspects of this, including the prairies. 

Suggestions were received from the committee in regard to potential speakers. Olah wanted an OK for releasing information to the press about a speaker.

5.  Next meeting dates.  October 24, 2013, and November 21, 2013.

6.  Public Comment.  Solum thanked Robkin for detailing the details of BOMC.

Motion to adjourn by Mullen, seconded by Poelma,  Motion Carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:39.  

Respectfully submitted,

Dick Grant, Secretary.