WAUPACA COUNTY
LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
September 4, 2013
Courthouse, Waupaca
Chair Federwitz called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Present: DuWayne Federwitz, Bob Ellis, Darrell Handrich, Lee Much, and Walter Strebe (Pat Craig excused)
Also Present: Roger Holman, Brian Haase, Dave Heideman, and Lisa Neuenfeldt
Federwitz gave the open meeting statement.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Much to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Handrich, seconded by Strebe to approve the August 5, 2013 minutes. Motion carried.
Federwitz opened the meeting for public comment. There was none.
Dave Heideman reported that the DCP/ACRE sign-up deadline is September 16th, 2013 crop reporting deadline is September 15th with no fee for late filing, NAP-small grains and forages deadline is September 30th, 2014 fall crop reporting for fall seed small grain, and all perennial forages deadline for sign-up is November 15th, and CRP general SU45 has 27 new contracts with contracts and conservation plans signed by September 20th.
Neuenfeldt reported that CRP has 35 plans/contracts developed and are in the process of reviewing the plans with the participants and having them sign the contracts. The next sign-up for general EQIP (entire county) ends November 15th. There is a public meeting being held on September 9th at 9:00 a.m. in the Courthouse to solicit input on the EQIP program.
Neuenfeldt reported that for the Pigeon Lake National Water Quality Initiative, 23 participants were approved for a number of practices, with a total dollar obligation of $1,026,103.00. Discussion occurred on the practices, acreage involved (3,078.5 acres) and other possible participants for future programs. Neuenfeldt and Haase explained the work that was completed by the NRCS and LWCD and the future work that will need to be completed.
Federwitz thanked Heideman and Neuenfeldt for their reports.
No meetings were attended to report on.
Holman provided the Committee with an update on the 2014 budget process.
Holman reported that the proposed Agronomist position has been reviewed by the Human Resources Committee. Federwitz noted that the main question the committee had was how the position will be funded and how the funds are being used now. Holman explained the position would be funded using existing funds and will only be filled in August of 2014, if funds are available for 2015. Haase explained that currently we contract for the work and the contracted position would be eliminated. Workload for nutrient management related activities continues to increase because DATCP pushes it as a priority in cost share programs and a requirement for the Farmland Preservation program. Haase further explained that there may be opportunity to receive additional funding for Nutrient Management staff positions from DATCP in the future.
Haase reported that the Farmland Preservation plan was still under DATCP review. Ryan Brown had been in contact with DATCP regarding Waupaca County being allowed to map FP areas as an overlay. DATCP was originally unwilling to allow that method but after further statute review, are now willing to allow Waupaca to test that method. Haase and Brown have submitted hours to DATCP for the planning grant as well as an extension if needed beyond 2013.
Holman reported the Management Team is working on 2014 budgets, CIP and evaluation process for Department Heads.
Haase presented the MOU for the six county central sands lake and stream level monitoring project. Portage County will be the lead county for paperwork and reports. Haase also presented the draft operational agreement between NRCS and Waupaca County. All counties that work with NRCS sign these to help define roles and equipment usage. Official action on both MOU’s will be at next month’s meeting.
The next meeting was set for October 7th at 9:00 a.m.
Motion by Much, seconded by Ellis to adjourn. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Submitted by,
Roger G. Holman
Recording Secretary