WAUPACA COUNTY

LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

                                                                                                                    January 7, 2013

                                                                                                                             Courthouse, Waupaca

Chair Federwitz called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Present:                       DuWayne Federwitz, Lee Much, Pat Craig, Darrell Handrich, and Bob Ellis

Also Present:    Greg Peterson, Corey Schuelke, Dan McFarlane, Andrea Moore, Lisa Neuenfeldt, Dave Heideman, Brian Haase, and Roger Holman

Federwitz gave the opening meeting statement.

Motion by Craig, second by Handrich to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

Motion by Much, second by Handrich to approve the minutes of December 10, 2012.  Motion carried.

Holman introduced Andrea Moore, the new support staff for the departments.  Moore provided background information and thanked the committee for the opportunity to work for the county.  Introductions of the committee members were made.  Federwitz welcomed Moore to the County

Neuenfeldt reported that the Environment Quality Incentive Program (E.Q.I.P.) sign-up is open until January 18, 2013.  There have been a lot of applications for waste storage, rotational grazing and related grazing practices, bush management for invasive species control and for seasonal high tunnels.  She also reported that Congress passed a nine month farm bill extension.  The extension fails to fully extend the conservation title program and funds some but not all conservation programs.  Direct payments were left in place despite strong opposition by many farm and conservation groups.  The error that will prevent NRCS from having a C.S.P. sign-up was not fixed.  Heideman further noted that all FSA programs that were effective on September 10th are currently being continued. UWEX is holding a meeting on January 8^th, in Clintonville, to discuss the proposed changes in the new Farm Bill.  A new farm bill is still expected to pass this year.

Heideman reported that Jin Nyguard was elected to the FSA County committee and a new representative to the LWCD will be determined at the January 22 County Committee meeting.  Producers that have conservation practices to complete this year such as installing buffers are being sent forms to record their cost and certify completion of the practice.

Federwitz thank Lisa and Dave for their reports.

Schuelke and Peterson provided a PowerPoint on the 2012 activities in the LWCD.  Practices installed included manure pits, barnyard pads, basins, gutters and other department work including seeding, venison program and the wildlife damage control program.

Federwitz thanked Corey and Greg for their reports.

Haase updated the committee on current work going on under farmland preservation.  Haase noted that activities have been low over the holidays, but they will pick up real fast over the next couple of months.

Haase noted that the 60^th annual WLWCA conference is being held at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells from March 11 – March 13.  The registration deadline is February 8.  The Committee was asked to notify Haase by January 15^th if they plan on attending.

Holman reported the management team is finishing up the evaluation process and starting the 2014 budget work.   The highway department and maintenance departments are finishing up their planning work.  Holman noted he is participating in both of their planning processes.

The next meeting is set for February 4th at 9:00 a.m.

Motion by Craig, second by Much to adjourn.  Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.

                                                                                        Submitted By;

                                                                                         Roger G. Holman

                                                                                         Recording Secretary