DATE: February 12, 2009
Room 213 West Square Building
Meeting called to order by Chair Wiese at 9:00 a.m. It was certified that the requirements of the open meeting law have been met. Present were Borleske, Kriegl, Posewitz, Puttkamer, Wiese and Zowin from the Committee; Norgard and Cooley-FSA; Van Berkel and Pohle-LCD. Public present-Ed Reimer.
Motion by Kriegl/Zowin to adopt the agenda and hold agenda item "Natural Resources Conservation Response to Clark Creek watershed study request" until Kriegl returns. Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion by Zowin/Posewitz to adopt the minutes of the regular LCC meeting on January 15. Motion carried, all in favor.
None.
A. Thursday Note(s)-Van Berkel reviewed the February 5 Thursday Note which the Committee members received at their homes.
B. Natural Resources Conservation Service response to Clark Creek watershed study request- Van Berkel noted Pat Leavenworth's letter stating that funding is not available due to NRCS not receiving funding for watershed planning in any of the recent budgets. Van Berkel emailed messages to Feingold's and Kohl's offices regarding doing the sediment removal as a part of the stimulus package. Motion by Kriegl/Posewitz to send a support letter for planning funding. Motion carried, all in favor.
C. Dues notices, Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association (WLWCA), National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)-Van Berkel informed the LCC that the NACD minimal annual due amount is $775 and WLWCA, with the new dues structure based on equalized value, is $1,163.67. Dues are budgeted for in the 2009 accounts. Motion by Zowin/Borleske to approve dues this year (NACD-$775 and WLWCA-$1,163.67) and to reconsider for the 2010 budget. Motion carried, all in favor.
Phil Peterson was unable to attend due to a conflict with Vernon County's LCC meeting today. All of the wildlife damage claimants have been in the program before and met the shooting requirements. Damage amounts were less this year showing the program is starting to have an impact. Motion by Borleske/Posewitz to approve Steve Emerson-$1,694.75, Doug Faber-$1,066.30, Howard Engel-$363.73 for 2008 wildlife damage claims. Motion carried, all in favor.
Van Berkel discussed the budget repair bill and informed the LCC that the phosphorous prohibition bill passed the Assembly.
A. Land Conservation Department report-Van Berkel highlighted the monthly department report. The LCC recommended Van Berkel check on doing a news release on flood damage loans for farmers.
B. Natural Resources Conservation Service report-None.
C. Farm Service Agency report-Norgard reported they have been receiving policy and clarifications on the 2008 Farm Bill and are making a move to start implementing programs. The Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) deadline is June 1 with no late file applications. Several applicants are withdrawing from the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and are going in to more long-term programs. It will be several months before the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program (SURE) for 2008 flooding will be implemented. The initial signup for deficiency milk payments was December 22-January 21. The extended deficiency milk payment deadline is from January 22-September 30, 2012.
D. Foresters' report-None.
E. Economic Development Committee report-Zowin reported that Ayres Associates bid was accepted to evaluate the Merrimac railroad bridge. They are trying to set more short and long-term goals for the county and working on broadband projects. Van Berkel noted they should look at preserving farmland for agricultural expansion and maintaining a good agriculture economy.
F. Mirror Lake District report-Zowin stated that Vierbecher is applying for a lake management grant to address some gully erosion. Van Berkel noted that the LCD has 70 percent cost sharing available through the Dell Creek Watershed Program. Zowin will provide the LCD a list of sites included in the lake management grant.
G. Lake Virginia Management District report-Wiese stated that the next quarterly meeting will be in March.
H. Lake Redstone Management District report-Borleske reported they had a meeting on Tuesday night, and they are not going to move forward with the injunction on DNR regarding the critical habitat designation. Lloyd Eagan, DNR, will watch decisions made in the areas for a year and then review it and see what impact the designation may have. Zowin recommended Borleske request contributions from Lake Redstone for dam repair.
I. Report on attendance at state Land and Water Conservation Association convention-Wiese reported on the convention.
Motion by Zowin/Borleske to approve the list of training events. Motion carried, all in favor.
Voucher summaries were distributed to the Committee members. Motion by Borleske/Posewitz to approve 2008 and 2009 bills in the amount of $17,608.69. Motion carried, all in favor.
Van Berkel informed the LCC that the current renter at the Health Care Center is being very cooperative in getting his fertility rates back to the levels they were at the start of his lease. He will have Tyler Imhoff contact Mike Stanek in the LCD.
There was discussion of the Property and Resource Committee's request for proposals for reuse of Health Care Center buildings.
Van Berkel reviewed Draft #7 of the ordinance and the staff recommendations regarding issues identified at the previous agricultural advisory committee meeting. The recommendations were also mailed to those attending or invited to attend with a request that they provide any comments to either the committee members or department before this meeting. Comments were received from two individuals saying the ordinance was good with the adoption of the recommended changes and should be passed. Ed Reimer was given a chance to comment and said there were many problems with the proposed ordinance but he did not want to identify them but was hear to listen.
Motion by Zowin/Borlekse to approve the changes as recommended and forward the resulting Draft #8 to a public hearing in March. Motion carried, all in favor. Committee suggested March 27 for the meeting and public hearing with the meeting starting at 9 and the public hearing at 10. Note: A conflict with the dairy expansion tour has required rescheduling to March 25 at the same times.
Van Berkel informed the LCC that Jennifer Stewart took the Community Resource Development Agent position in Portage County. Presently the 2009 grants are not yet finalized so it is hard to argue to replace the position. Van Berkel will watch the grants and keep the LCC informed. Committee recommended asking NRCS for assistance. If this position is not filled the LCD staff level will have been reduced from 11.84 positions in 2002 to 7.6 in 2009. The department will have lost one-third of the staff over the last seven years.
Van Berkel presented a draft resolution needed for the grant process. The resolution identifies the Committee Chair as the signing authority for the grant and Van Berkel as the county contact person for any questions coming from the grant agency, DNR. Motion by Borleske/Puttkamer to approve the resolution as drafted. Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion by Borleske/Posewitz to go into closed session. Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion by Zowin/Borleske to reconvene into open session. Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion to adjourn by Borleske/Zowin at 11:50 a.m. Motion carried, all in favor.
Next meeting: Wednesday, March 25, 9:00 a.m. with a public hearing on the proposed Manure Management Ordinance to begin at 10:00 a.m.
Linda Borleske, Secretary