DATE: March 20, 2008
Meeting called to order by Chair Wiese at 12:00 p.m. It was certified that the requirements of the open meeting law have been met. Present were Lehman, Wiese, Borleske, Cassity, and Puttkamer from the Committee; Kloppenburg-Forestry; Van Berkel and Pohle-LCD. Zowin was absent. Agricultural Advisory Committee members and public arrived later: Bill Jaquish, Harold Haag, John Tourdot, Ketty Clow, David Wade, Jim O'Neill, Monte Cook, Joe Prem, Timothy Ryan, Ed Liegel, Joel Gaalswyk, Donald Stevens, Bradley Schyvinck, Linda White
Motion by Borleske/Cassity to adopt the agenda. Motion carried, all in favor.
Motion by Cassity/Borleske to adopt the minutes of the regular LCC meeting on February 20. Motion carried, all in favor. In answer to questioning, Van Berkel explained there is money budgeted for Clean Sweep, but he is investigating other ways to provide hazardous waste disposal options as well. He will provide an update to the Interagency Committee next week regarding the topic. He would like to offer electronic recycling several times a year, as well as disposal options for appliances, etc. There is storage available at the landfill.
There was none.
One WLWCA Thursday Note was received by the LCC at their homes.
An amendment to extend the enrollment period for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program agreement was received and signed by Wiese.
Formal letter from the Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection was received approving the department's Land and Water Resource Management plan until 2012.
There was nothing to report.
Kloppenburg stated that they expect quite a bit of gypsy moth defoliation since egg masses were significant. There will be suppression spraying at Devil's Lake State Park, Mirror Lake State Park, and Rocky Arbor State Park. There was funding for treating about 2,000 acres on public lands. The funds are a combination of state funds and contributed funds from organizations that support the state parks.
Kloppenburg noted that 170,000 trees were ordered through the DNR program with 103,000 of them ordered for 40 acres at Devil's Lake State Park. Ten landowners will be using the tree planter.
Kloppenburg informed the LCC that Americorps will be coming to Devil's Lake State Park on May 14 to remove invasives and other projects.
They are getting ready for the fire season.
There are 20 landowners enrolling in the Managed Forest Law (MFL) program adding just under 1,000 acres. Participation in this program has been declining. MFL deadline for 2010 is July 1, 2008. Participants cannot lease this land out for hunting. Lehman questioned how discussions of selling carbon credits on woodlands may impact MFL woodlands. There are no answers yet.
Van Berkel noted that the Land Conservation Department monthly report was mailed to committee with the meeting notice.
Motion by Borleske/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 $1,409.09. Motion carried, all in favor.
Wiese reported that he attended the quarterly RC&D meeting. He briefed the LCC on the meeting and noted that Alliant Energy's plant in the southwest part of the state wants to run on 10 percent renewable fuels from switchgrass or timber. The RC&D is doing research on how much can switchgrass can be grown on an acre and its storage.
Lehman was appointed to this committee by the WCA Board. They meet in Stevens Point four times per year. He has already attended two meetings this year. Motion by Cassity/Borleske to approve Lehman's attendance at the WCA Agriculture/Environment & Land Use Committee meetings. Motion carried, all in favor. Lehman abstained.
Van Berkel reported on the internal promotion of Stanek to the Resource Conservationist position and the possible posting for the resulting vacant technician position. There has been no final decision on posting it due to budget concerns.
Van Berkel has not received an answer from NRCS on the dam break analysis but feels we may not receive their assistance due to a shortage of staff. He has also talked to the Village of Lake Delton engineer regarding the dam break analysis required for the Lake Delton dam. There is a possibility of doing both of the dam break analyses and repairs as a package and receiving a better price.
Van Berkel distributed a very preliminary draft to the LCC. The draft needs to be turned in for administrative review by April 14 and then receive final approval at the May or June LCC meeting. Mission and vision statements are the same. He asked committee to look at the 2008 goals and objectives. If the technician position is not refilled, we will need to cut back on some of our initiatives.
Van Berkel noted that Bindl's have been in the program before and there have not been any problems. Motion by Borleske/Lehman to approve a 25-year contract for Gerald and Carol Bindl. Motion carried, all in favor.
Wiese called the group to order at 1:12 p.m. The LCC and members of the appointed Agricultural Advisory Committee discussed the proposed amendments to the Sauk County Animal Waste Ordinance. No action was taken.
Motion to adjourn until April 17 at 9:30 a.m. by Puttkamer/Cassity at 3:27 p.m. Motion carried, all in favor.
Kathy Zowin, Secretary