DATE: October 18, 2006
PLACE:
UW-Extension ETN 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 Zowin, Wiese, Borleske, and Cassity from the Committee; Peterson-WDS; Norgard-FSA; Brereton-NRCS; Van Berkel-LCD. Lehman and Prem were absent.
Motion by Borleske/Zowin to adopt the agenda.
Motion carried,
all in favor.
Motion by Borleske/Cassity to adopt
the minutes of the regular LCC meeting on September 15.
Motion carried,
all in favor.
None.
There were none.
Brereton spoke about the EQIP signup and the change to flat rate payments.
Norgard updated the committee on re-enrollments and extensions for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Out of the 500 expiring between the years 2007-2010, 273 have shown interest in re-enrolling.
Committee discussed the role of the Department in assisting landowners and ways to better inform the full County Board regarding the importance of providing this assistance, environmentally and economically to farm operations.
Motion by Zowin/Cassity to approve the list of training
events.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Voucher summaries were distributed to
the Committee members. Motion by Borleske/Cassity to approve
bills in the amount of $48,997.41.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion by Borleske/Cassity to approve the 2006 crop damage assesment values as follows: Corn-$2.00/bushel, soybeans-$5.50/bushel, alfalfa-$120.00/ton. Motion carried, all in favor.
Approve Preliminary 2007 Wildlife Damage Program Budget:
Peterson presented
the 2007 budget in the amount of $16,448.51 for administration
and operation expenses, this is down $7,250 from 2006. This amount would
be reimbursed to the county through the DNR from hunting license charges.
Motion by Borleske/Cassity to approve $16,448.51 for the 2007 Wildlife
Damage Program budget.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Brereton reviewed the Memorandum with the Committee. There were no questions or concerns voiced regarding the agreement.
Van Berkel presented a resolution in support of the Working Lands Initiative Steering Committee’s proposed revisions to the Farmland Preservation Program. The resolution, if adopted, would then move on to the area and then state association for consideration at their December business meeting. The revisions being proposed strongly match those endorsed by the association in 1997 and are items that the Committee has discussed as important changes needed to strengthen the program. Motion by Zowin/Borleske to approve the resolution in support of the proposed revisions and to forward it on to the area association. Motion carried, all in favor.
Changes requested by the Committee at the last meeting along with corrections have been made to the previous document to develop Draft No. 6. Committee had also directed Van Berkel to look at other counties and their implementation experience regarding the manure management prohibitions. A number of counties are reporting problems after taking on the role of local enforcement. They have issued notices of intent to landowners explaining the problem as a step toward obtaining cost-share funding but then have not received the grant needed to require correction. It has put the county in a difficult situation, they have investigated problems, determined them to be significant but then cannot resolve them. Neither the farm operator nor the complainant are satisfied with the results. Most counties recommended delaying action until there is an increase in available funds. They also recommend working to improve the ranking score for the watersheds in the county to improve scoring and the chance of funding. Van Berkel felt this winter’s development of the Land and Water Resource Management Plan would enhance watershed information and would also allow time to educate the agricultural community regarding the state rules and how they relate to the goals of the ordinance revisions. Based upon the advice and the upcoming plan development, he recommended the Committee delay action. Motion by Borleske/Zowin to table the ordinance, maintain the existing ordinance for the time being and revisit the proposed revisions on an annual basis, evaluating the status of funding and progress in the implementation of the non-point runoff rules statewide. Motion carried, all in favor. Committee suggested Van Berkel notify landowners regarding this decision, thank them for their input and ask for their future cooperation in development of any new draft.
Committee discussed the fact that the manure management issues are not going to go away. With increased numbers of non-farm rural residents, the increased size of livestock operations and the increasing statewide concerns regarding manure spreading practices, there needs to be improved manure management and accountability on farms for their own protection. Committee suggested that the Department look at working with Dietmann to try to develop a manure management education program for the winter.
Van Berkel handed out copies of a conservation practice construction pamphlet
previously used by the Department that has now been updated
to cover more of the permit requirements and other issues of concern. Committee
reviewed the document and suggested it be used early in the discussion
regarding any practice installation to attempt to reduce problems.
Committee voiced concerns that the proposed Strategic Plan for WLWCA was not very thorough and missing an important emphasis on the implementation of the non-point rules.
Motion to adjourn until November 16 at 9:00 a.m. by Borleske/Zowin at
11:45 a.m.
Motion carried, all in favor.
Repectfully Submitted: Kathy Zowin, Secretary