WAUPACA COUNTY

LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES

June 3, 2013

                                                                                                                        Courthouse, Waupaca

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

Present:           DuWayne Federwitz, Bob Ellis, Darrell Handrich, Lee Much, and Walter Strebe

Also Present:   Lisa Neuenfeldt, Dave Heideman, Stefan Stults, Brian Haase, and Roger Holman

Federwitz gave the open meeting statement.

Motion by Ellis, seconded by Much to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

Motion by Ellis, seconded by Handrich to approve the May 6, 2013 minutes.  Motion carried.

Federwitz opened the meeting for public comment.  There was none.

Neuenfeldt reported that the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) sign-up goes until June 14^th, with sign-up low statewide.  There is additional funding available under the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) for another manure storage applicator with the farmer’s acceptance pending soil tests and bids from contractors.  The Pigeon River National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) is moving forward with 182 landowner letters sent out (thanks to Dan for mailing list and maps) with a July 12^th deadline for sign-up.  Also, NRCS is completing site visits for the CRP sign-up.

Discussion followed on potential projects in the Pigeon River initiative.

Dave Heideman reported that the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) sign-up is June 3, Supplemental Revenue (SURE) 2011 Crop Disaster sing-up deadline is June 7, Crop Reporting deadline is July 15, Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) sign-up deadline is August 8, and CRP general sign-up runs from May 20 – June 14.  Heideman also provided new soil rental rates based on crop land enrolled in CRP ranging from $66 - $132 per acre, with the higher rate being for more productive soils.  FSA is also taking applications for continuous CRP and CREP projects, with the projects receiving the new soil rental rates.

Federwitz thanked Neuenfeldt and Heideman for their reports.

Ellis and Haase updated the Committee on the activities of the Golden Sands RC&D.

 Discussion took place regarding state and federal rules on cost share limits to landowners.  Both entities allow cost sharing up to 100% of the total project cost when more than one funding source is involved.  Federal funding is flat rate and the state limits contribution to 70% from state funding sources.  Waupaca County LWCC’s current policy is to cap cost share at 90% when landowners have both state and federal funding sources.  In recent years there has been more opportunity for landowners to secure both federal and state funding for the same agricultural waste, agricultural runoff or erosion control project.  Waupaca County has had several recent instances where it returned significant sums of landowner specific cost share money, to the state, while the landowner still paid 10% of a project.  Haase stated that raising the limit and including state LWRM funding would allow the LWCD to get more agricultural waste and erosion control projects installed, especially on the smaller farms with limited income.  This would allow for more of the LWRM plan goals to be met.  The current ranking sheet in the LWRM plan would be used to guide additional distribution of LWRM funds.  Haase also noted that there seems to be no correlation between how much a landowner pays for his project and how well the farm appearance or project appearance is maintained.  Project functionality is required by the state and federal maintenance periods associated with each project contract.  Several members mentioned that it would still be appropriate to have a fee or small amount of the project cost to come from the landowner.

Motion made by Much, Seconded by Ellis, to raise the Waupaca County LWCC cost share limit policy to 99% when landowners have both Federal and State cost share sources available to them, including LWRM funding, for the following Best Management Practices:  Barnyard Runoff Control, Diversions, Heavy Use Area Protection, Manure Storage Systems, Milk Center Waste Control, Roof Runoff Systems, Sediment Basins, Underground Outlets, Waste Transfer Systems, Wastewater Treatment Strips, Water and Sediment Control Basins and Grassed Waterways.  Motion passed.

Haase updated the Committee on the work being completed for the Farmland Preservation Plan.  Haase reported they continue to work with the towns that are interested in the program and are preparing the preliminary maps for review by DATCP in late June or July.  Haase explained that for some towns that are not participating in the program, but have potential areas that may wish to participate in the program in the future, they are preparing what is known as shadow eligibility mapping to allow for potential inclusion in the program.

Holman reported that the trial evaluations should be complete and the Management Team is working on the 2014 budget by preparing options for a very tight budget.

Haase updated the committee on construction projects for the season.

The next meeting was tentatively set for July 1^st at 10:45 a.m.

                                                                                    Submitted by,

                                                                                    Roger G. Holman

                                                                                    Recording Secretary