DATE: January 12 , 2006
PLACE:
UW-Extension ETN West Square Building
Meeting called to order by Chair Wiese at 9:04 a.m. It was certified that the requirements of the open meeting law have been met. Present were Zowin, Wiese, Borleske, Cassity, and Prem from the Committee; Peterson-WDS; Jackson-Kelly and Brereton-NRCS; Van Berkel, Pohle, and Stanek-LCD. Goldade-Hausner Farms. Lehman was absent.
Motion by Cassity/Zowin to adopt the agenda.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion by Cassity/Zowin to adopt the minutes of the December 13 regular LCC meeting. Motion carried, all in favor. Cassity asked about the responses from counties regarding charging for Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) design services. Van Berkel reported that Marathon County LCD is the only county that reported charging for departmental services to meet these permit requirements. Other counties reported they provide service as staff and time is available.
Motion by Cassity/Zowin to adopt the minutes of the joint LCC and Planning & Zoning meeting on December 13.
Motion carried, all in favor.
None.
Green County Question on Future Participation in Wisconsin Land & Water Conservation Association (WLWCA) - Van Berkel read the e-mail he had received from Green County. The Committee discussed WLWCA membership, the WLWCA Conference and its value to the Committee members and staff. A resolution was passed at the latest conference that adds four county staff as advisors to the WLWCA Board. The LCC agreed to see what improvement the addition of advisors brings to the organization and to continue to participate in WLWCA to try to work for positive changes.
Van Berkel distributed and reviewed copies of the latest Thursday Notes.
Senator Schultz Reply Regarding Aquatic Invasive Species Initiative - Van Berkel reported this was a response to the letter the LCC sent to Senator Schultz a few months ago requesting his support for the Aquatic Invasive Species Initiative. Senator Schultz replied that he will keep this as a high priority but also stated there are budget issues which may limit available funds.
Reports: Brereton reported that the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) signup finished recently and 20 applications were received. More details will be available at next month's LCC meeting. The statewide animal waste storage signup ended at the same time. Sauk County had three applicants. One of those applications was for an alternative waste treatment practice. There was some discussion on manure digesters.
Patti Jackson-Kelly, Assistant State Conservationist for the NRCS, introduced herself to the LCC. She gave an update on NRCS programs. She also distributed a handout regarding 2005 Program Allocations for Sauk County and stated that they are in the process of determining the 2006 allocations.
Joe Prem was introduced as the new Farm Service Agency representative to the LCC for 2006. He reported that the Direct Countercyclical Program (DCP) payments are being processed.
Van Berkel distributed the new monthly report on department activities. These standardized reports are being implemented by the Administrative Coordinator to help update the county committees on issues and track progress toward goals. There was discussion regarding the proposed retention pond at Mirror Lake. Committee suggested these reports be compiled and used for occasional presentations by each department to the County Board. The Committee will talk with Schauf about this possibility. Committee comments regarding the report were positive.
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/Zowin to approve 2005 and 2006 vouchers in the combined total
amount of $36,521.16.
Motion carried, all in favor.
The Sauk County Committee Voucher form was presented for signatures. Committee members will not need to fill out forms at the County Clerk's office in the future for meeting per diem and mileage but will sign at each meeting.
Request from Hausner Farms, LLC for Assistance to Meet WPDES Permit Requirements: Hausner Farms, LLC General Farm Manager Don Goldade expressed the value of the assistance provided to their operation by Mike Stanek on nutrient management plans and cropping plans. Goldade requested assistance from county staff to help them meet the requirements of the WPDES permit. He is interested in a conservation plan and site evaluations and correction plans for the livestock confinement areas (approximately six sites). He stated that they have a difficult time obtaining this expertise from engineering firms because they lack the basic understanding of farm operations. Their nutrient management plan is being done by the private sector. Goldade stated Mike Vollrath from the DNR has not given any specific deadlines for Hausner Farms, and that he would be satisfied that they are working with LCD to address the concerns on a timely basis. Van Berkel stated that there is an opportunity for some available staff assistance this year due to the Narrows Creek Watershed ending in 2005. He questioned whether the operation would be willing to abandon fields that had slope and soil limitations. Goldade said they understood that may be required in some of the extreme cases. Van Berkel also stated that if the LCD provides the service, there should also be a clear commitment by Hausner Farms, LLC to implement the plans. All agreed that it may take three years or more to prepare and implement the plans. Motion by Cassity/Zowin supporting the request to provide assistance to Hausner Farms for a year with Van Berkel determining the amount of the assistance the LCD can provide. A review of the progress made will be done by January 30, 2007.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Van Berkel provided background on the Department becoming a Technical Service Provider (TSP), a federal program which started a few years ago. Sauk County LCD was previously hired to provide TSP service for nutrient management plans for EQIP. Now it has been determined that to avoid a conflict of interest, a TSP cannot participate in the Local Work Group or be co-located with NRCS, or share files or computers. Because of this the LCC/LCD has withdrawn from the Local Work Group. Van Berkel asked what the future of TSP funds may be in Wisconsin. Jackson-Kelly stated that TSP funds are an annual allocation. With NRCS's budget problems, TSP's payments may not be available in the future. Van Berkel asked if there was any way to help cover costs for the technical assistance the County provides for federal programs (CREP, CP-9's, etc.). Sauk County currently has a contribution agreement with NRCS to cover CREP/CRP and some engineering that pays $.50 for every $1 of work completed. Jackson-Kelly said the decision on any availability of future contribution agreements will not be made until the budget is established.
Jackson-Kelly agreed to consider providing hydrology assistance through the NRCS area office to the LCD for the Otter Creek Project.
Jackson-Kelly presented a T-shirt to Stanek as a reward for becoming a Certified Conservation Planner. Stanek is also a Certified Crop Advisor. She pointed out he is one of the very few certified nutrient management planners employed by LCD's statewide and possibly the only one in the area.
Review and Approval of 2005 Wildlife Damage Claims Assessments: Peterson informed the LCC that all of the participants met all the program requirements, pending any further developments for shooting permit compliance. Claims were down throughout his work area. Motion by Zowin/Cassity to approve the following claims totaling $7,505.85, pending their compliance with shooting permits: Thomas Broughton-$321.40, Scott Crawford-$358.48, Steven Emerson-$816.40, Howard Engel-$1,187.64, Douglas Faber-$1,588.62, Ernest Klaetsch-$174.14, Dale Klingenmeyer-$791.96, Daniel Licht-$1,029.78, Edward Reimer-$234.98, Kenneth Schutz-$1,002.45.
Motion carried, all in favor
Peterson reported that Bill Ishmael has left his Wildlife Manager position and should be replaced soon. He will try to introduce the new staff at a future meeting.
Review of Draft Changes to Animal Waste Ordinance: Van Berkel distributed another draft of the Animal Waste Ordinance that incorporates the revisions as recommended during the last presentation to the LCC. Final approval should be in February or March in order to have the ordinance in place before practices are implemented.
Review and Approval of Farmland Preservation Agreements-Thomas & Katherine Fargen, Evelyn Muchow: Van Berkel stated that both were in the Farmland Preservation Program previously and that their old agreements had expired. Motion by Zowin/Borleske to approve Fargen's and Muchow's FPP agreement.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion to adjourn until February 9 at 9:00 a.m. by Cassity/Zowin at 11:47 a.m.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted: Kathy Zowin, Secretary