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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation Committee - Minutes - 2/17/2017Bayfield County Land & Water Conservation Department 615 2nd Ave. East; PO Box 126 Washburn, WI 54891 ____________________________________________________________________________ _______ Ÿ Phone: (715) 373-6167 Ÿ FAX: (715) 373-6127 Ÿ Website: www.bayfieldcounty.org Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County MINUTES February 17, 2017 (to be approved) Present: Fred Strand, Vice Chairman, Dennis Pocernich, Larry Fickbohm, Peter Tetzner, Citizen Rep. and Becky Anderson, FSA Rep Staff: Ben Dufford; Travis Tulowitzky; Absent:Arianna Austin and Bill Bussey, Chairman (arrived at 9:17am) Others:Deb Kmetz, Office Manager, Planning and Zoning (preparing minutes); Jeff Silbert, Bayfield County Supervisor 1)Call to order: Meeting was called to order at 9:05 am 2)MOTION: Approval of Minutes (January 13, 2017) – Pocernich/Tetzner - carried 3)Public Comment: Introductions were made. (Silbert, Pocernich, Strand, Dufford, Kmetz, Tulowitzky, Anderson, Fickbohm and Tetzner. 4)Discussion / Possible Action: Draft Bayfield County Animal Manure Storage Ordinance Dufford stated an informal meeting was held in Benoit on February 9. He and Jason Fischbach did the presentations. He said there was mixed reaction received. He discussed that he added some additional state regulations, Strand’s notes and language clean up presented by Bussey to the ordinance. Strand questioned whether Corp Counsel has had a chance to review the ordinance. Dufford replied he was waiting on approval of the committee and then he would forward it to her and then on to the full board. Strand mentioned that at the Benoit meeting there were challenges with agricultural and farming; but he did not hear too much against the ordinance. He also stated he would like to have this ordinance on the February full board agenda. Tetzner mentioned the manure pits withstood the torrential rain that the county had; but the municipal treatment facilities flooded. He is wondering if there were any regulations for them. Silbert mentioned that Ashland has been discussing this issue and he stated they should be governed by DNR codes. Dufford commented that he did not know if the county would have authority over municipalities but he would consider it. Strand brought up the fee under 5-5-5-F. Discussion followed wondering if the $100 fee was necessary. Dufford stated this was brought up at the January meeting. He said his department will be overseeing the pits and working with the farmers during the process. Pocernich stated to omit the fee but have language stating a permit is needed. Silbert questioned whether the fee is based on pit size. Pocernich stated no. Discussion followed with regards to how the department works with the farmers on the manure storage pits anyway. Tetzner questioned if an outsider works on a manure storage pit, would the department oversee that. Dufford replied yes. Strand asked if the consensus of the committee was fine with no fee being charged. Consensus was yes. Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County Bussey arrived at the meeting (9:17am) and took over as chairman. Chairman Bussey discussed a language change for 5-5-3-A regarding substantially altered and enlarged. He handed out the revised language. Dufford mentioned having Bussey’s suggested language will also help in 5-5-5-B. Tulowitzky questioned 5-5-5-C abandoning pits. He stated this section does not require a permit or fee and was wondering what happens if they do not work with the department—would there be any oversight. Dufford stated they would still be required to follow regulations. Bussey stated if you find someone, you deal with them and make them aware of the regulations and enforcement actions. Dufford mentioned a previous situation and how the department dealt with it. Strand questioned what will happen if an abandoned pit just gets walked away from. Bussey stated there is language where within two years they are required to properly abandon it and if not enforcement should happen. Silbert questioned whether enforcement was clear. Tulowitzky stated these abandoned pits will mostly show up during real estate transactions. He questioned 5-5-5-D (#2) being hard to meet. Bussey stated 62 counties have an ordinance. He feels if there is no compliance, the department should work with the individual before starting enforcement. Dufford stated he was glad to hear that the committee would like the department to work with people because he does not do enforcement. He stated he has in the past and he is still planning on working with individuals to help them come into compliance. Silbert questioned what a new owner of a property with an abandoned pit would need to do. Dufford stated work with the realtor. Discussion ended. Bussey stated 5-5-5-E needs a language change. He stated District Attorney should be changed to Corporation Counsel. MOTION: Bussey asked for a motion with the revisions of: no fee; the new language inserted in 5- 5-3-A; the language change in 5-5-6-E; and seek Linda Coleman’s review. Pocernich motioned to approve with revisions as stated. Strand seconded. No further discussion. Motion Carried. There was mention that the committee would like to see this ordinance on the February full board agenda and they would like Linda Coleman to know that they have set a deadline. 5)Other business as authorized by law: None 6)Next meeting date: tentatively scheduled for 9:00 am May 19, 2017. 7)Adjourn: Meeting adjourned at 9:36 am.