HomeMy WebLinkAboutAquatic Invasive Species Committee - Minutes - 2/26/2020MINUTES
February 26th, 2020 (to be approved)
Present: Nan Olson-Chair, Jim Krueger-Vice Chair, Sally Pease-Eau Claire Lakes Association, Eric North-
Ecologist-US Forest Service, Andrew Teal-AIS Coordinator, Ramona Shackleford-NCWMA
Coordinator, Reed Saam-Red Cliff Treaty Natural Resources Division, & Melissa Kraft-LWCD
Assistant
Absent: Jeremy Oswald-Board of Supervisor District #5; Larry Fickbohm-Board of Supervisor District #3
Nan called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Introductions: Introductions roundtable.
Public Comment: None.
Motion: Approve minutes from November 20th, 2020. Pease/Saam – motion carried.
Grant Updates
Andy discussed there was a shortfall of match for CBCW-Iron River, as the DNR didn’t accept decontamination
equipment time for match. Also, the Lake Association’s check was not accepted as match because it needed to be
spent on qualifying grant/project expenses to count as match, but the check was received after grant
activities/expenses had concluded for the season. There is ongoing discussion on whether we will take on the CBCW-
IR and CBCW-LS grants in 2020 because we are not certain we would be able to come up with the needed match.
Mileage is not a reimbursable cash expense, nor does it qualify as match, and there aren’t available matching funds we
know of to utilize for those uncovered cash expenses. We received two advanced payment checks from the DNR for
the 25% advance payment checks on both grants; however, we have not cashed them yet. Until we determine whether
we will be able to commit to overseeing the grants, we will hold onto the checks.
Andy noted that to make match for CBCW-IR donated cash for match would need to come at the beginning of the grant
and the funds spent on eligible expenses prior to the end of the grant period to qualify as match. Volunteer time would
be needed for match too, if donated funds do not meet or exceed the minimum needed. Approximately 556 hours
would be needed for the CBCW-IR grant if solely relying on volunteer time, but fewer hours would be required,
depending on the amount of donated cash. The CBCW- Iron River grant needs a minimum of 200 hours at each
landing to meet grant requirements, and that time can be paid, volunteer, or both. Volunteer time at any landing counts
toward the overall grant total for match. Krueger asked if there is a possibility of the Iron River township putting “room
tax” dollars received towards match as he explained they receive “room tax” funds and feels the work CBCW does
helps the lakes that promote tourism. Olson will contact the Iron River township and see if that is a possibility to secure
for a funding source for the grant. Saam also noted they have funds to hire interns but haven’t begun the process yet,
but that they could possibly be utilized for some of the volunteer hours needed at the landings. He will talk to his boss
about the possibility and will follow up with Andy. Pease noted she is looking for a volunteer alternate as well for
Barnes. Olson noted she will follow up on some ideas as well. Andy stated that for Bayfield Co to take on the CBCW
grants in 2020, match commitments would need to be in writing with those receiving funds and/or contributing match
prior to taking on the grants or we may not be committing to taking on the grants.
Update on AIS No Transport Ordinance: decontamination language addition. Some changes were made to the existing
ordinance to address requirements to use decontamination stations on boat landings in the county where and when
they are available. It was brought before the Land Conservation Committee on February 21st for their review and
approval. It was approved and forwarded on to the full county board of supervisors for review and approval. Andy will
provide a copy of the ordinance to Eric North and Nan Olson.
It was noted that the decontamination unit at Lake Owen will be in a new area this year by the campground as last
year’s location did not get a lot of use. Discussion on ideal locations for decontamination station(s) at various landings
was further discussed.
AIS #6: The current expenses incurred thus far in 2020 amounts to $3,740.71.
AIS Coordinator Report: Teal discussed his report in detail which is on file.
Partner/Department Reports:
Reed Saam: Reported that they will be conducting their usual lake monitoring/collections this year.
Jim Krueger: Received reports from Matt Berg on Jackson, Garden, and Namakagon Lakes. No change other than
some weed beds that weren’t treated last year increased in size but they plan on treating them this year. Hybrid
watermilfoil beds that were treated 3-4 yrs ago are smaller to almost completely gone, which means the treatments
worked. Discussion regarding property boundaries and whether NPS will need to be involved in upcoming treatments.
Sally Pease: Noted that with the water table being up, a channel is opening a little. The town has cut trees in the area
so she hopes that with the hand pulling they made a dent with the curly-leaf pondweed (CLP). On Upper Eau Claire
Lake the CLP was under control more than in the past except for a deep spot in the lake. Work will continue on the
various lakes and an additional diver will be utilized this year on alternating shifts (morning/afternoon). The LEEP field
trip will take place on May 13th and Pease asks that if anyone is willing to volunteer to please contact her. She also
noted that she will be on PBS on Outdoor Wisconsin talking about the museum and its ancient elk horns on display
there.
Eric North: Started last Monday as the Ecologist with the US Forest Service here in Washburn. He will be attending
the Enbridge meeting next Tuesday. Enbridge now owns a property infested with garlic mustard in Mellen, along a
possible pipeline route. Discussions regarding preventing the spread of invasive species if construction takes place,
along with managing invasive species along existing pipeline corridors, will be topics. High priority invasive species
and their locations, disturbance of seeds/plants, and best management practices will also be brought up. There is
expectation that Enbridge communicate information to the US Forest Service and NCWMA regarding the invasives in
that area as the construction/project proceeds. Enbridge has already communicated their willingness to do that.
Ramona Shackleford report: Dates have been set for this spring for Garlic Mustard pulls in areas such as Mellen,
Washburn, Ashland, etc. Will be trying to obtain seasonal workers to help with the Boat Wash grant. Ramona also
was in contact with Enbridge and Xcel Energy regarding invasive species in areas they will be working in that have
known invasive plant populations.
Future AIS Activities-
a. WI Lakes & Rivers Convention, April 1-3, 2020, Stevens Point
b. Invasive Species ID Days on May 8th, 2020- at Bayfield In Bloom; June 26, July 10, August
14, September 4 are all at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center (NGLVC)
c. Northwest WI Lakes Conference, June 19, 2020, Spooner High School
d. AIS Snapshot Day, August 15, 2020, statewide-rendezvous site TBD
e. Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference, October 12-14, 2020, Duluth MN
f. Student Science Research Symposium, October 16, 2020 at NGLVC
Other Business: Reed discussed a feasibility study conducted to see if a Lake Superior Science Center could be
sited on property owned by the City of Ashland. If this moves forward, it would be near the previous Oredock site. It is
still in the early stages but would primarily be a research facility conducting projects on Lake Superior, with the potential
capacity for education, retail space, and a few other things. The facility may also support future growth of the US Fish
& Wildlife Service, NPS, and USGS.
Citizen Committee member -Business Representative search/confirmation:
The search continues for someone to fill this vacant spot.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m. Motion to adjourn Krueger/Pease.
Future meeting dates for regular AIS Committee meetings:
• May 20th, 2020 at 9AM
• Aug 26th, 2020 at 9AM
• Nov. 18th, 2020 at 9AM