Meeting called to order by Chair Wiese at 8:35 a.m. It was certified that the requirements of the open meeting law have been met. Present were Lehman, Wiese, Borleske, Cassity, and Cummings from the Committee; Van Berkel and Pohle-LCD; Livingston-DNR. Zowin was absent.
Motion by Cassity/Cummings to adopt the agenda.
Motion carried,
all in favor.
Motion by Cassity/Cummings to adopt the minutes of the regular LCC meeting on November 10. Motion carried, all in favor. As directed at the November LCC meeting, Van Berkel prepared a letter to legislators supporting the Aquatic Invasive Species Initiative and the need for funding. Wiese signed the letter, and it was mailed.
There was none.
Request for assistance-Hausner Farms LLC. DNR has determined that the Hausner Farms, LLC operation falls under the requirements of the Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit. DNR has required they address various concerns on all farms to achieve compliance with the permit requirements. The farm manager has requested the LCD to provide technical assistance. There are counties that contract to provide this service for permitted operations and charge up to $7,000 for this service. The assistance required could equal the workload of about ten individual farms. If the department agrees to provide the needed technical service, it could obligate from .25 to .5 FTE of staff time this first year. Their request indicated that they would consider charges for assistance from the LCD. The farm manager would like to come to the next LCC meeting to discuss the issue. The permit requirement does offer a great opportunity to address numerous environmental concerns at their farms. The Committee instructed Van Berkel to get examples of fee schedules from other counties.
Livingston stated that area DNR foresters have established about 500 acres of timber harvests in the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. They will be going out for bids within the next month or so. Tree harvesting will be monitored by DNR ecologists and endangered resources personnel. Within Sauk County, DNR foresters are establishing backlogged Managed Forest Law (MFL) timber harvests and inspecting MFL harvests established by private foresters.
The Managed Forest Law has changed quite a bit, as previously reported. In 2007 MFL management plans will mainly be written by private foresters for a fee. The DNR will also charge for management plans they prepare. Fifty percent cost sharing opportunities exist for plan writing through the Wisconsin Forest Landowner Grant Program.
State tree nurseries are seeing below average sales. About 90,000 tree seedlings and shrubs have been purchased by landowners in Sauk County to date. Anticipated sales may reach about 150,000 seedlings by spring. One of the tree planting machines has been taken to Palmer Manufacturing to fabricate and install a spacing wheel which will cost about $250.
Livingston will present the 2005 outstanding tree farmer award to Tom Powers at the December County Board meeting. He won the Sauk County award and also the southwestern district award. He was one of five finalists being considered for the state award. The Madison Woodland Owners Conference is coming up in February. There was some discussion about hardwood pulp cutters and stumpage prices paid in our area.
Motion by Cassity/Borleske to approve Zowin’s attendance
at the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association Annual Conference.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Review and approval of vouchers: Voucher summaries were distributed to the Committee members. Motion by Borleske/Cummings to approve 2005 and 2006 bills in the combined amount of $83,056.91. Motion carried, all in favor.
Resolution to Approve Farmland Preservation Agreement for William L. and
Margaret A. Cole: Van Berkel informed the LCC that Cole’s are applying
for a 10-year contract. They have had an expired agreement and do meet
all of the program requirements. Motion to approve the application by Borkleske/Lehman.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion to adjourn until January 12 at 9:00 a.m. by Cassity/Borleske at
9:00 a.m.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Respectifully Submitted: Kathy Zowin, Secretary