HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation Committee - Minutes - 5/13/2016Bayfield 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
May 13, 2016 (to be approved)
Present: Dennis Pocernich; Bill Bussey; Fred Strand; Larry Fickbohm; Peter Tetzner, Citizen Rep.;
Becky Anderson, FSA Rep.
Staff: Ben Dufford; Travis Tulowitzky; Arianna Austin; Andrew Teal; Adam Haecker
Absent:
Attendance:Jason Fischbach, UW Extension
1)Call to order: Meeting was called to order at 9:02 am
2)Introduction of new committee members and new staff
3)Action - Election of Officers: LCC Chair and Vice-Chair
Dennis Pocernich nominated Bill Bussey for LCC Chairperson, no other nominations were made.
MOTION: Elect Bill Bussey as LCC Chairperson - carried.
Dennis Pocernich nominated Fred Strand as LCC Vice-Chairperson, no other nominations were
made. MOTION: Elect Fred Strand as LCC Vice-Chairperson – carried.
4)MOTION: Approval of Minutes (March 9, 2016) – carried
5)Public Comment: NONE
6)Agency Staff / Partners Reports: None present, updates relayed by Ben
a.NRCS Update - Sign up for projects in June
b.USFWS Update - Summer crew is on board for projects
c.WDNR Update - Advised to focus on deer
d.BRWA Update - Working on two culverts in Lincoln
e.4 County Wildlife Damage Update - Dave Schultz submitted an update, included in packet
f.Others - None
7)Discussion / Possible Action: NW WLWCA representative Ben provided background information
on WLWCA, Ben is a member as a land and water staff. Need a board member. Larry was
nominated by Fred. MOTION: Elect Larry Fickbohm to serve as NW WLWCA representative -
carried.
8)Discussion / Action: Recommendations of the Large-Scale Livestock Committee
a.Discussion / Possible Action: Surface Water Options
a) Jason stated that as is, the South Shore Farm Succession Program is funded and
operated through UW-Extension
b)Jason believes staffing levels are sufficient, but that field edge monitoring may be
necessary. Jason believes that funds are available due to locations of farms in
proximity to watersheds to Lake Superior, estimated $34,000 to launch the
program, in place by fall. South Fish Creek has been designated as impaired.
c) Jason noted the need for this option, but staff time and travel would be required.
Farms must sign up, farmers pay for initial consultation. UW-Extension has
exhausted available funds. Larry made known that he is personally interested in
this program and will abstain from voting on this topic.
b.Discussion / Possible Action: Ground Water Options
a) Expand funding, $50,000+ associated costs. Multi-year projects per farm, but is
very costly. There are many methods to offset phosphorous.
b)Discussion of well-closures, current funding is sufficient.
c.Discussion / Possible Action: Air Quality Options
a) No action
d.Discussion / Possible Action: The Protection of human and animal health from
Microbiological Pathogens Options
a)Health Department has discussed spill response trainings, potentially for EMT, fire,
conservation staff.
b)Hard lines is a cost item but viable for farms
Fred discussed the costs involved in several recommendations, including staff time. Bill
recommended that the committee prioritize where funds are allocated. Pete suggested that field
edge monitoring would provide farms with a starting point. Larry noted the number of very small
farms and asked for ways to simplify strategies for very small operations. Door-to-door awareness is
Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
needed. Travis believes that farm succession is very positive and should continue. Runoff and
monitoring may not be received positively by farmers due to potential, perceived repercussions. Staff
time is a concern because of the level of involvement and time commitment. Becky believes that
nutrient management planning is the best avenue to get on a farm and work with farmers, which
provides monetary incentives in productions and does not speak to regulatory restrictions. Ben
stated his willingness to work with Jason on practices and pursuing funding. More plans require
more time, but are not necessarily a funding concern. Dennis noted justification for county tax
payers, as other businesses are not getting the same attention that agriculture does, such as the
farm succession plans. He also suggested passing a well-abandonment ordinance, rather than
spending tax-payer dollars on individuals. Fred noted the collaboration with LWCD and zoning for
landowners. He noted the importance of agriculture in Bayfield County and the significance of
supporting farms. Becky agreed with well-abandonments as an individual responsibility. She
suggested prioritizing nutrient management plans, and that succession plans are good but are also
an individual responsibility. Jason noted the importance of education, specifically for farm
succession. Bill believes it is important to keep the big picture in mind, but also realizes the
importance of agriculture in Bayfield County and modest support is appropriate. He stated that
abandoned wells do impact the population as a whole, not just a single property holder. He noted the
significance of impaired waters in the county and thinks that pursuing funding should be priority.
MOTION: Fred Strand asks that Ben Dufford bring to the county board a request for increased funding, and
priorities of field edge monitoring and barnyard runoff. - carried. Bill recommended amending the motion to a
lesser funding amount, ex. $5,000 as match. Dennis suggested that the committee develop a priority list.
After discussion, the list is as follows:
1.Farm Succession Program
2.Barnyard runoff
3.Field edge monitoring
4.Well-abandonments (ranked last due to sufficient current funding)
MOTION: Draft manure storage ordinance for new and/or expanding storage for the next LCC meeting -
Pocernich/Stand - carried
9)Discussion / Possible Action: South Shore Farm Succession Program / Future Funding See
notes above.
10)Discussion / Possible Action: 2017 LWCD Budget Discussion and Preparation 2016 budget
reviewed and on file.
11)2016 Grant Updates: AIS Grant #5 was awarded. GLC grant, bluff stabilization contracts with the
landowners are in the works. An extension was applied for due to DNR-recommended September
completion.
12)2016 Project Updates: Annual work plan was submitted to DATCP.
13)LWCD Staff Reports:
a.Andy Teal, AIS Coordinator - reviewed, on file.
b.Adam Haecker, NCWMA Coordinator - reviewed, on file.
c.Arianna Austin, Clerk I - reviewed, on file.
d.Travis Tulowitzky, Conservation Technician - reviewed, on file.
e.Ben Dufford, County Conservationist - reviewed, on file.
14)Other business as authorized by law: Andy noted the ID Day is June 14 (not 6/15)
15)Next meeting date: tentatively scheduled for Friday, August 19 at 9 am.
16)Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 11:20 am.
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