HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation Committee - Minutes - 3/5/2015Bayfield County Land & Water Conservation Department
615 2nd Ave. East; PO Box 126
Washburn, WI 54891
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Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
MINUTES
March 5, 2015 (to be approved)
Present: Bucky Jardine, Chair; Marco Bichanich, Vice-Chair; Dennis Pocernich; Bill Bussey; Peter Tetzner;
Greg Tetzner, FSA Rep.
Staff: Ben Dufford; Dave Schultz; Anne Leafblad; Pam Roberts
Absent:Travis Tulowitzky
Attendance:Gary Haughn, NRCS; Judy Derricks, NRCS; Mike Mlynarek, USFWS; Mark Abeles-Allison, County
Administrator; Kathy Wendling, public;
1)Call to order: 9:05 am
2)MOTION: Approval of Minutes (August 28, 2014 & January 6, 2015)- Bussey/Bichanich - carried
3)Public Comment: NONE
4)Agency Staff / Partners Reports:
a.NRCS Update – Gary Haughn passed around a few handouts about the manure management presentation
which will be held on March 25, 2015 at the Ashland High School Auditorium. He briefly shared about the
USDA’s Conservation Stewardship Program, EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) and the Lake
Superior Landscape Restoration Partnership. Judy Derricks from the Altoona, WI NRCS office was present,
and commended the LCC committee for the efforts made for conservation in northern WI.
b.USFWS Update – Mike Mlynarek shared that USFWS can no longer do 5 year agreements with Bayfield County
as they have done in years’ past; now, everything is a 1-year agreement and the reporting/reimbursement
process has also changed. Shared that a big project coming up is a bridge on Wickstrom Road, that crosses
Whittlesey Creek. The engineering design work for this project will be received soon. His office will be
hiring 8 people for the summer—5 youth interns (ages 15-18) and 3 additional employees—college
students or recent college grads. The deadline to apply is mid-April. Mike also shared that on March 31,
2015 there will be an open forum/presentation at the NGLVC regarding developing the Comprehensive
Conservation Plan, and encouraged those on the LCC Committee to attend.
c.WDNR Update – NONE
d.BRWA Update – NONE
e.Others - NONE
5)Wildlife Damage Program Update – Dave Schultz, on file
a.Discussion / Possible Action: MOTION: Approve 2014 Wildlife damage claim prices as presented.
Bussey/Bichanich—carried (no board action required)
b.Discussion / Possible Action: MOTION: Approve 2015 bear relocation contract for Bayfield County.
Bichanich/Bussey – carried (no board action required)
c.WDP staff report: Dave shared that he is still working on claims for year-end reports, which should be
wrapped up by the end of March. Also gave a summary of 2014 bear-trapping activities.
6)Discussion / Action: MOTION: Recommend approval of FY2015 Budget Amendments as presented, and move to
full county board for approval of the following: Clean Boats / Clean Waters Lake Superior landings – AIS Program;
Clean Boats / Clean Waters DNR – AIS Program; USFS Weed-Cooperative Main Grant ; National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation Grant; USFS Sup Co-Op Agreement; NCWMA RAC Project; US Fish and Wildlife Cooperative
Agreement; Gauging Station Funds; Addition of St. Croix / Namakagon Gauge; DATCP bond funds; carryover 2014
funds to 2015 projects. Bussey/Bichanich – carried.
7) Discussion / Action: MOTION: Recommend to Personnel Committee to update the County Conservationist’s
position description regarding the additional duties/responsibilities of administering large-scale livestock siting.
– Bussey/Bichanich – carried.
8)2014 / 2015 Grant Updates: Ben Dufford gave a summary of the status of some of the department’s grants.
Shared that the Bony Lake grant has been closed out, and there are no more lake grants with Bayfield County.
Also shared that NFWF grant has been closed out. The DATCP cost-share funding has been set for 2015; however,
there may be a 9-10% shortfall in staffing for 2016-2017 funding.
9)2015 Project(s)Update:Ben Dufford shared a few projects that Travis Tulowitzky has been working on,which
includes a few stream crossings,fencing projects,and also wetland projects/water control.Ben shared that he’s
been working on a few culvert designs in the Towns of Washburn, Russell & Eileen.
10)LWCD Staff Reports:
a.Pam Roberts, NCWMA Coordinator – on file
b.Anne Leafblad, Clerk I – on file
c.Travis Tulowitzky, Conservation Technician – not provided
d.Ben Dufford, County Conservationist – on file
11)Other business as authorized by law:Discussion took place regarding the recently passed one-year moratorium of
large-scale livestock farms with over 1,000 animal units and whether or not this will apply to Badgerwood,LLC.
Nothing has been decided;ultimately,it needs to be determined if Badgerwood has vested rights,and this is still
under consideration. No action taken.
12)Next meeting date: TBD, most likely May or June 2015.
13)Adjourn: 10:14 am
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