HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation Committee - Minutes - 1/13/2017Bayfield 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
January 13, 2017 (to be approved)
Present: Dennis Pocernich; Bill Bussey; Larry Fickbohm; Peter Tetzner
Staff: Ben Dufford; Travis Tulowitzky; Arianna Austin; Andrew Teal
Absent:Adam Haecker; Becky Anderson; Fred Strand
Attendance:Mike Mlynarek, USFWS; Tony Janisch, BRWA; Jason Fischbach, UW Extension; Dave
Schultz, WDP; Rob Schierman, Zoning; Josh Rowley, Zoning; Gary Haughn, NRCS; Jeff
Silbert, County Board; Mary Dougherty, member of the public
1)Call to order: Meeting was called to order at 9:01 am
2)MOTION: Approval of Minutes (August 19, 2016) – Pocernich/Tetzner - carried
3)Public Comment: NONE
4)Agency Staff / Partners Reports:
a.NRCS Update - Lake Superior Restoration Partnership funds have concluded. Between
December 2012-2016, $2 million were spent on many projects, including heavy use lots,
livestock, grazing, stream crossing, forestry plans and wildlife habitat management. The deadline
is approaching for the Conservation Stewardship Program, which gives credit for conservation
efforts that clients are already doing. Annual notice given on Memorandum of Agreement with
LWCD, which includes equal access to programs and information. Currently, NRCS has 90-100
active contracts.
b.USFWS Update - Many recent retirements, which has resulted in position realignments, Bridget
Olson is the new regional director. Youth Conservation Core has funding for this summer is still in
place, interviews will begin soon for a crew leader. Several projects are slated in Whittlesey
Creek and the Iron River. A regional biologist conference is planned for this summer. Mike is
willing to lead a tour of project sites for the committee if there is interest.
c.WDNR Update - None
d.BRWA Update - Boundaries were expanded last year, including into the Bayfield Peninsula with
27 new volunteers. BRWA helped fund two culvert replacements after July 2016 flooding. A bluff
stabilization plan, designed by Interfluve, on Altamont Road is still in need of funding but may
happen this summer if they can shift NFWF funds,. Genetic monitoring of E. coli on Fish Creek
will occur this summer, in collaboration with Northland College with funding by the
Duluth/Superior Foundation. An anniversary party will be held in August to celebrate 15 years
with strategic planning for coming years, plus a new organization name to come.
e.4-Four County Wildlife Damage Update - reviewed, on file
f.Others - None
5)Discussion / Possible Action: Recommend approval of FY2016 Budget Adjustments /
Amendments as presented, and move to full county board for approval - MOTION to
recommend approval to full board: Pocernich/Fickbohm - carried.
6)Discussion / Action: Wildlife Damage Program
a.Set 2016 price per bushel for bear damage losses in corn fields, approve one damage
claim and authorize Conservationist to sign on claim form for the County. United Ag
Service $3.55, Mix Rite $4.08, average of $3.82 per bushel, other counties have set the same
price - MOTION to approve $3.82 per bushel for 2016: Tetzner/Fickbohm - carried. One claim
for Bayfield County for 2016, DNR provides reimbursement, $500 owner deductible, MOTION
to approve claim: Tetzner/Pocernich - carried.
b.Approve 2017 budget amendment to the wildlife damage program to increase Bayfield
County’s bear relocation contract amount by $8,075. USDA-APHIS has increased the
contract for Bayfield County, following county budget adoption. MOTION to recommend
approval to full board: Pocernich/Tetzner - carried.
c.Approve the 2017 bear relocation contract from USDA-APHIS-WS in the amount of
$12,950. Approval of $8,075 will bring total contract to $12,950. MOTION to recommend
approval to full board: Pocernich/Fickbohm - carried.
7)Discussion / Possible Action: Future Direction on Well Abandonment Program In 2016, LWCD
was allocated extra funding to close wells. Various requests included residential interior and
agriculture fields. Original intent was to protect groundwater, so any and all wells were considered.
Presently, there are five potential agriculture fields and one interior residential slated for 2017. The
Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
general consensus is to continue unofficially prioritizing agriculture, with any questionable
circumstances to be directed to the committee. Larry asked if cisterns are included, Ben will follow
up with the well drilling company.
8)Discussion / Possible Action: Draft Bayfield County Animal Manure Storage Ordinance LCC
feedback, public comment meeting in Benoit discussed and tentatively agreed upon to setup
informational meeting – Ben and Jason. P2 Applicability - Bill - this would not require existing farms
to change, as long as it is not altered or enlarged (included in text further down), Jason - adopt NR
151 definition (p403, .05, 20), Pete - number of animals using pit or entire farm? Ben – only animals
using pit will be included. Including but not limited; Jason - 151.05 Manure storage facilities
performance standards - Ben has already added parts of 151.05 from the states model ordinance,
Bill thinks ordinance provides protection for existing operations; Travis - new construction only / size
of facility comes into question, Period of 30 days or more, frequent pumping would not be included,
Jason - point that there is always manure in pit, even if pumping and refilling frequently, risk
management of 5000 cubic feet; Dennis - applicability - eliminate number; effective date would be
when ordinance would be passed, no grandfathering existing facilities, only new ones after
ordinance passes; Jason - ordinance only covers parts of NR151.05, could include .08 incorporating
barnyards would allow authority to smaller operations that compromise natural resources, 06 and 07
are commonly used when near water source, Bill - put them in the draft for consideration, allow input
from farming community and full county board; Dennis - concern with very small operations; Josh -
concern with enforcement and realistic threshold; Larry - small numbers can still be detrimental, this
would give option to regulate; Bill - threshold in 08 provision; Dennis - go back to facility rather than
animal units, Jason - new facilities would need to comply and county would need to offer cost-share,
Dennis - hobby farms would need NMP is unrealistic, Bill - hobby farms are already required by DNR
to follow 151.08 but not enforcing, Jeff - size doesn’t always matter, add provision to regulate
problem when reported regardless of size, Bill - provision is there in 08, but does the county want to
take on enforcement, Ben - DNR is not enforcing NR 151, counties in other parts of the state are
discussing adding parts of 151 to ordinances to allow enforcement, but not many to date. Jason -
NR 151 is not enforced by county first, but may come back to committee first, Travis - LWCD is
already practicing NR 151 to our ability/capacity voluntarily, would need direction and funding on
how to enforce it if ordinance passes, Pete - how many operations does this effect, after lengthy
discussion on 151, Bill - opt to leave out 08 for now, DNR consideration may require future
consideration, Larry - main objective is facility and should be focus for now, Technical standards are
spelled out, add standard 312, Bill offered to complete technical draft, next steps - DATCP, full
board, farmer feedback, corporate council review, and possibly the DNR. Dennis - community input
followed by board approval, Bill - can board approve draft but not full adoption to allow for further
feedback from other parties, ask Linda’s input first, Jason can work with Ben to set up informational
meeting for farming community. 5.5.5 Bill - definitions, abandonment, end after two consecutive
years period, 5.5.5.d provides exception. FEE - Bill - $500, unless under contract with LWCD/NRCS
than waived, Dennis - earthen construction does not require zoning permit, construction does, fees
based on amount of work involved, why ‘penalize’ some producers and not other producers with
fees? Bill/Dennis - charge everyone $300 - withdrawn, Pete/Dennis - why penalize, no fee or based
on animal units, Larry agrees with Pete, Jason - fee could be proportional, small operations would
have smaller fee, Bill MOTION to set fee at $100, Dennis second, Larry prefers gradual fee, vote 2-
2, MOTION FAILS. Further Discussion on fee structure, Bill – need to have something in ordinance
for the board to react to, acknowledging that fee structure may change at full board meeting while
considering draft. MOTION to set a fee of $100 for storage facilities greater than 10,000 cubic feet,
with the fee waived for storage less than 10,000 cubic feet: Pocernich/ Tetzner - carried.
9)Discussion / Possible Action: Farmland Preservation Planning Committee 2017 Currently Ben,
Travis, Rob, Jason, either Ericson or Dale for orchard representation, a dairy farm member and
citizen member will make up the committee. Funding is through DATCP with reimbursement at 50%.
An updated plan is required at the state level. The scope of the committee’s work was questioned in
regards to paperwork processing or a potential expansion of AEAs in the county. Taking a board
member on the committee was suggested. Further discussion is needed with the county
administrator if per diems are offered as an official county committee. Larry is interested in
membership. Ben will also follow up with Fred if he is interested.
10)Discussion: Attendance of Annual Land and Water Conference; March 15-17 in Elkhart Lake
Fred previously expressed interest, Ben will follow up
11)2017 Grant Updates: Extension was approved for N. Fish Creek project through 2017; over half of
LWCD portion is complete. We committed to 6-11 BMPs and completed five this year, still funds
available for next year, still searching for other restoration sites, due to refusal of one landowner in
original proposal, we are still in the process of selecting a bluff for restoration / stabilization. Travis
Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
mentioned that some possible sites propose access challenges through woods / ravines, steep
slopes, etc.
12)2017 Project Updates: Reviewed 2016 DATCP project spreadsheet. No new developments in field
edge monitoring, led by Northland College, with collaboration with LWCD, three sites / farms have
been identified as potential sites; ongoing discussions with NC and farmers continue.
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: None
15)Next meeting date: tentatively scheduled for 9:00 am February 17 due to ordinance discussion,
following public meeting
16)Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 11:24 am
K:\LCC Meetings\Minutes\2017\01-13-17 Minutes.doc
