HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation Committee - Minutes - 3/30/2012
Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
Bayfield County Land & Water Conservation Department
615 2nd Ave. East; PO Box 126
Washburn, WI 54891
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone: (715) 373-6167 FAX: (715) 373-6127 Website: www.bayfieldcounty.org
MINUTES (to be approved)
March 30, 2012
Present: Bucky Jardine, Chair; Marco Bichanich, Vice-Chair; Bill Bussey, Peter Tetzner (9:05)
Staff: Ben Dufford, Dave Schultz, Travis Tulowitzky, Jeremy Bates, Jennifer Schierman
Absent: Patti Rantala
Partners: Mike Mylarnek, USFWS; Gary Haughn, NRCS (9:13)
Public Attendance: None
1) Called to order by: Bucky Jardine, Chair (9:02 am)
2) Approval of Minutes (01-20-12): Motion to approve January 20, 2012 LCC meeting minutes by MB/BB
– carried
3) Public Comment(s) –NONE
4) Agency Staff / Partners Reports:
a) NRCS Update: GH – End of contracting, ended in February. BC had 21 contracts for $127,617 really
good sign up. One CREP contract ready to go. Ranking was just turned in for the Conservation
Stewardship program, results unknown. NRCS received a 15% reduction in their budget. One way
they’re dealing with the reduction is travel restrictions. WRP are running this program from the state
and are looking more at the books on how to apply up here.
b) USFWS Update: MM – May 9, 2012 (Wed) 5:30 (meet at the NGLVC) there will be a tour of
Whittlesey Creek restoration project. There has been a lot of interest in this project. There will be a
lot of good information on many topics. Noted that the dept. can capture more funds from two
agreements totaling $5,231.00. Mike continues to be a stand alone employee, and he has to
aggressively look into funding for his own position which is much different than other offices. Not
much margins. There will be a full Youth Conservation Crew this summer, approx. 12 weeks.
Looking into another agreement to fund more projects for the Whittlesey Crk which would lead to
more funding. Mike plans to work with the Forest service to save a large amount of money
purchasing trees.
c) WDNR Update: NONE
d) BRWA Update: NONE
e) Others: NONE
5) Wildlife Damage Program Update, Dave Schultz:
a) Discussion: 5-year WDP Plan – On File
b) Discussion: USDA/APHIS Contract Update – On File
6) Discussion/Possible Action: Appointment of Rebekah R. Anderson, FSA rep. Motion to approve
appoint Rebekah R. Anderson, FSA rep by MB/PT – carried Were unable to make direct contact with
her due to short notice
7) Discussion/Possible Action: 2012 Budget Amend Resol – on file Motion to forward 2012 Budget
Amend Resol to full Board by MB/BB – carried
8) DATCP - SWRM funding update: BD – There is documentation within the packet that provides detail
of how the funding affects departments. There are several agreements & grants that provide percentages
for indirect cost(s) that span 2 or more years. Ben will continue to look into other funding sources where
monies can be captured for staff cost(s). Staff will be tracking their time very carefully to specific
projects. Mike M., FWS is very instrumental in making sure that there are funds made available to the
department for their work and expertise. Hwy Dept. is redoing several miles along Hwy D. Tom T.
inquired about LWCD contracting to do culvert and surveying for the projects. This partnership could
provide more funding to the Dept. Forestry may have work available as well.
Minutes 3/30/12
cont. -
9) 2012 County Fair Participation: BD – An avenue to get the word out about our department and the
work we do. MB thinks it would be beneficial. LCC is very supportive of the idea. Possibly share a
space with AIS.
10) WLWCA / WALCE Merger Update: BD – Updated about the Conference. At the conference there
was a vote, which passed to merge the two organizations. They have a framework on how things will be
potentially handled
a) Tech Committee Update/Structure: BD – He is on this committee which is state level that meets
quarterly in Stevens Point. Rec. to WALCE is to: Require a minimum of 1 person (employee) per
area while encouraging 1 LCC supervisor per area. No limit on number of participants. A max of 2
votes per area understanding that this committee operates under consensus.
11) Rip Rap site(s) follow-up: BD – Three sites which failed due to too small rock. DNR claims that the
County is 100% responsible to pay for changes. The original plans were written with smaller rocks, and
also were approved and permitted by DNR. This issue is still in limbo and there is a meeting scheduled
for April 12, 2012.
12) LWCD Staff Reports:
a) Jeremy Bates, AIS Coordinator – On file
b) Jennifer Schierman, Clerk I – On file
c) Travis Tulowitzky, Land Use Specialist – On file
d) Ben Dufford, County Conservationist – On file In addition DNR LPT-343-10 (aka: Twin Bear
Grant) will not be reimbursed. We have rcvd one reimb. to date which was for 2009 expenses.
Still outstanding are 2010 & 2011 expense reimb. There was one project done in 2011 that wasn’t
related to the Twin Bear project that should be reimb. There were a couple other expenses related
to the Twin Bear project on the initial “tree drops” that should be reimbursed (tree cutting,
dragging, dropping, equip/labor, planting, etc.).
13) Other business as authorized by law: MB – PRI-RU-TA may be dissolving, concerning grazing
specialist
14) Next meeting date: Friday, June 29, 2012 at 9:00 am (EOC)
15) Adjourn – 11:12 am
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