WAUPACA COUNTY

LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

MINUTES

                                                                                                                        October 13, 2014

                                                                                                                        Courthouse, Waupaca

Chair Federwitz called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.

Present:           Pat Craig, Bob Ellis, DuWayne Federwitz, Lee Much, Dick Rohan, Walter Strebe                                     and Don Peterson

Also Present:   Brian Haase, Roger Holman, Tim Kramer, Kent Gibbs, Richard Cierman, Paul Norton, Ed & Karen Maack Chris Klein, Mary Young, Pat Daniels, Rachelle Saunders, Frederick Thomas Olson, David Werth, Dan McFarlane, Ted Johnson, Ryan Brown, Mary Robbins, and Jay Richards

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

Motion by Peterson, seconded by Strebe to approve the September 2, 2014 minutes.  Motion carried.

Tim Kramer, president of the Stratton Lake Association, presented information on the proposed Stratton Lake District.

Motion by Much and Peterson to open the public hearing on the creation of a Stratton Lake            Protection and Rehabilitation District. Motion carried.

Federwitz opened the public hearing explaining that those who have signed up to talk will be given 3 minutes to state their position.

Pat Daniels, Kent Gibb, and Chris Klein spoke in favor of formation of the Stratton Lake District.

Jay Richards spoke against the formation of the Lake District.

Discussion followed with Ted Johnson, DNR answering questions regarding a lake district and what it does.

Federwitz asked if anyone else wished to speak. With no one else wishing to speak, Federwitz asked for a motion to close the public hearing.

Motion by Ellis and Much to close the public hearing on the creation of a Stratton Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District. Motion carried.

The committee discussed and reviewed the Stratton Lake District-Resolution No. 12 (2014-2015).

Motion by Much and Ellis, to recommend the formation of the Stratton Lake District and adoption of Resolution No. 12 (2014-2015). Motion carried.

Haase explained that the Schertz WDACP claim would be taken up at a future LWCC meeting.  This will be the first deer damage claim for money in the county in 6 years and will need LWCC approval at some point.  DNR had not yet returned the paperwork for the claim.

Haase and Brown discussed and reviewed the Farmland Preservation resolution. They explained the concerns DATCP has with the current plan and how they are being addressed. Brown noted the goal is to give the resolution to the County Board in November.

Haase handed out and reviewed potential Farmland Preservation fees, the Committee asked Haase to bring in a final recommendation for their consideration at a future meeting.  

Haase reviewed a TRM contract for Dan Peterson. The contract would address manure storage and runoff.  The contract is for a cost share of $150,000.00

Motion by Much and Craig to authorize the TRM contract for Dan Peterson. Motion carried.

Holman and Haase discussed increasing the LWCD clerk position from 18 hours to 21.75 hours. 

Motion by Craig and Rohan to recommend increasing the LWCD clerk position from 18 hours to 21.75 hours. Motion carried.

Holman reported that the 2015 County budget is moving forward.

Haase discussed transferring the 2003 Ford F150 to UWEX for use by Greg Blonde. Options include keeping the vehicle in LWCD’s name and having Blonde/UWEX pay expenses or doing a complete transfer of the vehicle to UWEX.

Motion by Peterson and Rohan to transfer the 2003 Ford F150 truck to UWEX. Motion carried.

Haase and Ellis reported on attending the Golden Sands RC&D meeting in September.  A report from the City of Stevens Point on the cost of Emerald Ash Borer tree mortality to the city was featured at the meeting.

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

Haase read a written report from Lisa Neuenfeldt on NRCS activities.  NRCS was absent due to a Federal holiday.  NRCS received 49 EQIP applications in Waupaca and 18 in Winnebago County.  High and Medium applications will be ranked by October 17^th.  NRCS has 30 CSP contracts to renew.  For FY 2014 a total of 73 payments were made on 105 conservation practices in EQIP.  Haase reported that he had completed a contribution agreement with NRCS for $14,928 for work to be done in the Pigeon NWQI project.  Haase distributed a package of letters from DNR regarding recent runoff issues at Friendship Valley Dairy in Clintonville.  Haase mentioned that he is working with Golden Sands RC&D and the Town of Union to address some AIS issues in Cedar Lake.  Haase explained to the committee that there were some boundary dispute issues occurring on one of the properties that the county has a Conservation Easement on through the county easement program.  Work also continues on the Gonzalez NOI/NOD with the hope that manure storage will be completed there this season yet.

The next meeting was set for November 3 at 10:30, at the Larrabee Highway Shop. The meeting will include onsite tours of nearby conservation projects.

Motion by Peterson and Rohan to adjourn. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 12:50 PM.

                                                                                    Submitted by,

                                                                                    Roger G. Holman

                                                                                    Recording Secretary