Land Conservation Committee


DATE: June 14, 2007

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, Lehman, Wiese, Borleske, and Cassity from the Committee; Brereton-NRCS; Van Berkel and Pohle-LCD. Prem was absent.

Adopt agenda: Motion by Borleske/Cassity to adopt the agenda. Motion carried, all in favor.

Adopt minutes of previous meeting: Motion by Cassity/Borleske to adopt the minutes of the regular LCC meeting on May 17. Motion carried, all in favor. There was discussion of when would be the best time to meet with the Sauk County Towns Association and also provide them updates on the animal waste ordinance, Land and Water Resource Management (LWRM) Plan, federal Farm Bill, etc.

Public comment: There was none.

Communications: The Committee had received one Thursday Note since the last LCC meeting.

A survey was distributed to LCC to rank sessions for the WLWCA Annual Conference.

Legislative updates: Van Berkel noted that the Joint Finance Committee is reviewing the state budget and dealt with the stewardship program and a proposal to increase state tipping fees for waste disposal. Both votes were split 8-8. The Committee supported increased funds for clean sweep grants and also waste reduction and recovery grants. Most voting is along party line, this will create an interesting budget process.

The proposal for the Governor's budget to include money for the construction of a sediment trap on the upper end of Mirror Lake moved forward.

Reports: Brereton and Wiese went to the Southwest Badger RC&D meeting last Friday. Copies of their draft five-year plan was provided to the LCC.

Training events: No LCC members are able to attend the Southern Area Association Tour but requested that Pohle and/or Van Berkel attend and report back. Brereton will also attend

Motion by Zowin/Borleske to approve the list of training events. Motion carried, all in favor.

Review and approval of vouchers: Voucher summaries were distributed to the Committee members. Motion by Zowin/Borleske to approve bills in the amount of $4,187.63. Motion carried, all in favor.

Citizen Appointment to Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council: Lehman noted that Meegan Thompson, who opened a community crafters store in Ironton, is interested in being the citizen appointment to the Southwest Badger RC&D. He will invite her to the July LCC meeting. Zowin and Borleske may be interested in attending RC&D meetings also. Future meetings are scheduled for September 7 and December 14. The Southwest Badger RC&D newsletter "Badger Report" was distributed to the Committee.

Updates on -

Clean Sweep 2007: Van Berkel informed the LCC that October 5 and 6 dates have been set with Veolia Environmental Services for the hazardous waste and Cascade Management for electronics. The group is also working to accept pharmaceuticals, latex paint, tires, appliances, and waste oil. The Local Emergency Planning Committee are interested in assisting with the program.

HCC Farm maintenance: Albrecht prepared a list of items that could be taken care of at the Health Care Center Farm. It would be best to wait until a decision is made about the future of the farm and HCC.

LWRM Planning: The Conservation Chronicle newsletter will be distributed soon. An ag advisory committee will be established in July. They will be utilized for the LWRM Plan and hopefully for input into the animal waste ordinance revisions, an agricultural purchase of development rights proposal, and the county implementation of the state livestock siting rules. A sustainability program "The Natural Step for Communities" is gaining a lot of attention and could be the guiding principle behind the LWRM Plan.

Invasives Species: Van Berkel informed the LCC that we did not get the second phase of the PTI grant which would have helped with 2008 staff funding and cost sharing for landowners working to control invasives.

Redstone Dam Break Analysis: Van Berkel noted that the dam break analysis needs to be done on Lake Redstone in a boat. It would take about three days to complete. The Committee authorized contracting with Mike Widner to be paid $20/hour which will cover use of his chain saw, boat, gas, and gas powered winch.

Motion to adjourn until July 12 at 9:00 a.m. by Borleske/Zowin at 11:00 a.m. Motion carried, all in favor.

Kathy Zowin, Secretary