HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation Committee - Minutes - 5/15/2020
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
May 15th, 2020 (to be approved)
Present: Fred Strand; Marty Milanowski; David Zepczyk; Charly Ray; Ben Dufford-Co.
Conservationist; Travis Tulowitzky-Cons. Tech.; Melissa Kraft-LWCD Asst; Andrew
Teal-AIS Coord., Ramona Shackleford-NCWMA Coord; Larry Fickbohm
Absent: Gary Haughn-NRCS; Melissa Netz-FSA Rep; Ted Kohler-USFWS; Dave Schultz-
Wildlife Damage Specialist
Meeting was called to order at 9:00 am.
Note: Meeting was held remotely via telephone and Microsoft Teams. The public was given
advance notice and information on how to participate in the meeting via voice or using an internet
link or phone number provided by meeting coordinator.
Introductions: Roll Call Committee Members: Marty Milanowski-yes; Fred Strand-yes; David
Zepczyk-yes; Charly Ray-Yes; Pete Tetzner-yes; Melissa Netz-no; Larry Fickbohm-yes;
Roll Call Staff members: Ben Dufford-yes; Travis Tulowitzky-yes; Ramona Shackleford-no; Andy
Teal-yes; Mark Abeles-Allison-yes; Dave Schultz/Wildlife Damage Specialist-no; Gary Haughn-
NRCS-no;
Ramona Shackleford entered meeting.
Action: Election of Officers- LCC Chair and LCC Vice Chair
MOTION: Marty Milanowski nominated Fred Strand for LCC Chairperson, Pete Tetzner 2nd
motion to nominate Fred Strand, no other nominations were made. Charly Ray made motion to
close and cast, 2nd by Dave Zepczyk, motion carried to elect Fred Strand as LCC Chairperson.
MOTION: Fred Strand nominated Marty Milanowski as LCC Vice-Chairperson, Pete Tetzner 2nd
motion to nominate Marty Milanowski, no other nominations were made, Charly Ray made motion
to close and cast, 2nd by Dave Zepczyk, motion carried to elect Marty Milanowski as LCC Vice-
Chairperson.
MOTION: Approval of Minutes (February 21st, 2020) – Dave Zepczyk/Marty Milanowski – motion
carried.
Public Comment: Fred asked if there is anyone who would like to address the committee. None.
Fred closed public comment.
Agency Staff/Partners Reports:
a. NRCS Update: Ben stated he has not heard any specific report from Gary Haughn. He
knows they had been working with some restrictions. Travis recently worked with Paul
on a few projects. Travis noted that Gary is in the office and Paul Johnson has been
working both from the office and home.
b. USFWS Update: Ben noted we will partner with USFWS on two or 3 projects which he
has discussed with USFWS biologist Ted Koehler.
Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
c. WDNR Update: Ben noted update on CDAC (County Deer Advisory Council) that there
will be an antlerless quota in the county this year.
d. Other: Ben discussed a possible partnering with Northland College again on a project
but after further discussions determined we won’t be partnering with them as we didn’t
believe we could come up with enough funds to offset the work due to funds being
capped. We will help with the bluff restoration only at this time.
Discussion and Possible Action: Water Quality Resolution:
Fred discussed the Resolution in Support of Proposed Water Quality Task Force Bills to Improve
Wisconsin’s Ground and Surface Water Quality that was provided to the committee members for
review and approval. Several bills were before the legislature related to water quality and financial
support for conservation staff funding. Some of the bills have already made it thru the Legislature
process and some are still pending. The resolution is in support of these proposed bills directed to
improve Wisconsin’s surface and ground water quality in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, and state-
wide.
Ben noted that WI Land + Water recent newsletter gave a brief update on the Water Quality Task
Force bills. It was noted in the newsletter that the Assembly passed AB 790/SB 723 (which sought
to provide an additional $3 million in annual funding to county conservation departments) bill
unanimously, and the Senate was due to take it up at the end of March, however the coronavirus
caused the Senate to cancel its remaining floor period and acted to officially end the legislative
session, which resulted in SB 723 died (along with any bills passed by one house and not the
other, which included all Water Quality Task Force bills). The article further mentioned unless the
Legislature takes the bill up in an extraordinary session this summer, it will be an unfortunate
coronavirus impact.
MOTION: by Dave Zepczyk/Marty Milanowski, to approve passing the Resolution of support for
water quality, as presented and discussed, to the full county board of supervisors for review and
approval. Motion carried.
Discussion and Possible Action: NW WI Land and Water Representative:
After each election year, the LCC needs a representative to sit on the NW Area WI Land and
Water committee. Ben explained that this would mean travel 3-4 times a year to attend quarterly
meetings with the other 10 NW counties to develop resolutions. They are typically held in
Hayward, however with the currently COVID-19 situation the next couple meetings are being held
remotely. Dave Zepczyk served for the last two years and would like to serve on it again this year
and noted he feels confident with the group.
MOTION: Pete/Marty to approve Dave Z as representative. Motion Carried
Discussion and Possible Action: 2020 Budget Status/Update:
The Committee members were provided a current budget performance report for 2020 for their
review. Ben discussed the report and explained that a lot of our funds to run our department come
from grants which allow us to be able to efficiently run the programs in our department.
LWCD received funding from WI DATCP of $76,500 for a ravine stabilization project. There is one
issue currently being addressed with the landowners before beginning the project.
Discussion on Grants: Grants were discussed and updates were given. Grants provide funding
for a lot of the ground conservation work that is being done out of our office every year.
AIS program dollar allocation is changing within the next couple years. Andy’s position is partially
funded through it.
Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
CBCW has some issues carrying out the grant this year due to coronavirus issues with meeting the
volunteer hours and obtaining volunteers. Several discussions with the DNR have determined that
the grant funds will be carried over into next year rather than to cancel the grant completely.
Ben noted there may be changes with the WDP as he heard the state may take over that role. If it
reverts back to the state it would have an effect on Dave Schultz’ current position.
Ben and Travis gave an update on the Delta dump landfill.
Ben noted we may be doing more work in South Fish Creek as more sediment is becoming
apparent and there is more focus on improving watersheds.
Discussion: CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) 2020 Summary:
Ben noted that there were no CWD cases detected in Bayfield County from the deer carcasses
tested.
The LWCD intends to support a second year of the carcass disposal program in the fall of 2020.
The department will again assist the DNR with information and education about CWD testing in
Northern WI. Last year we collected just over 5 tons of carcass waste. The DNR tested 189
harvested deer. Any input on ideas for the fall are welcomed.
$6,300 was placed in the LWCD budget for continuing education and outreach, an intern, and
dumpsters for carcass disposal. 5.06 tons of carcass material was removed from the dumpsters
that were placed last season. The focus testing target was to receive 300 samples however, they
did not reach that amount at 189. Harvesting was down 40% which likely contributed. Todd Naas-
DNR, and it sounds like they will be.
2020 Project List Update:
Ben discussed 2020 projects: Delta dump landfill, ravine stabilization project, stream crossings,
wetlands, Ag crossings, culvert replacement, grade stabilization project, shoreline restorations,
Agri-chemical mixing pad, culvert crossings, rotational grazing, lakeshore stabilization, grassed
waterway, manure pit abandonment, and more.
Ben noted we have been receiving a lot of calls on shoreline restoration and shoreline
stabilization on inland lakes. Also, receiving calls for help regarding erosion on the south shore so
we have been distributing coastal engineering lists and offering some technical advice when we
can.
LWCD Staff Reports:
a. Andy Teal, AIS Coordinator- reviewed, on file.
b. Ramona Shackleford, NCWMA Coordinator-on file.
c. Dave Schultz, Wildlife Damage-handout provided, on file.
d. Melissa Kraft, Land Conservation Assistant -reviewed, on file.
e. Travis Tulowitzky, Conservation Technician-reviewed, on file.
f. Ben Dufford, County Conservationist-reviewed, on file.
Andy discussed he has been working on mitigation plans, waterfront properties helping with design
of native planting ideas and rain gardens. He has attended several meetings remotely. He visited
sites with Travis regarding landowners concerned with shoreline erosion. He also noted that the
Lakes conference will be held online this year.
Committee member asked if Andy had any information on murder hornets and he noted they are
mostly found on the west coast and we currently don’t have to worry about them in our area.
Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
Ramona discussed that she applied for some new grant money in January. Knotweed grant funds
are being carried over to 2020 for completion. She also noted she hired two interns for treating
knotweed and that there are over 200 sites in the area to work on. She recently finished the
NCWMA newsletter and sent it out. Garlic mustard hand pulls will begin next week. They will take
place in Mellen, Hurley, Superior, Bayfield and Washburn. She will be monitoring some sites that
were worked on last year to see how they are doing from the past hand pulls. She will be
documenting and videoing some of the hand pulls to include in a virtual event on May 26th
regarding garlic mustard.
Knotweed hand pulls will replace invasive species ID day was typically held at the visitor’s center.
The next NCWMA meeting is scheduled for July 15th.
Dave Schultz provided his staff report for the meeting.
Melissa noted she continues with her general office duties (accounts payable/receivable, monthly
reconciliations, budget, payroll, cost-share contracts, tracking, grant applications and
reimbursements, etc.) She also attended weekly staff meetings and some trainings via Teams.
Travis noted his primary focus lately has been on the construction plan and design for the Delta
Landfill project, working with Stacy Dehne (WI DATCP Engineer), Ben, and Jason Bodine. Jason
submitted all the documents to FEMA and WI DNR for review as needed as some of the project
will be on State property as well as Bayfield County. Other significant project focus has been on
shoreland inland lake erosion as there has been an increase in demand.
Travis also discussed a project he and ten other Land Conservation offices and other state
agencies (DATCP and UW Ext) have been working on. It is a Shoreline Stabilization publication to
provide to the public for information. He submitted a draft to the WI DNR and others for their
review and comments and submitted it to a graphic designer. He has also had many site visits
regarding shorelines and a significant amount of calls on lakeshore erosion site visits.
Committee member asked if we have had many calls from landowners in the Pigeon Lake area
and Ben noted that we haven’t had any requests from anyone on that lake and he hasn’t
heard much on it lately.
Ben reported he has been working on legislator support letters and emails. He has participated
in many various meetings for plan reviews, department head and staff meetings. He has been on
many site visits for various upcoming projects and to provide technical advice. He has been
working on planning a two-day stream workshop training but will likely find out next week if that will
still take place this year due to coronavirus concerns or be postponed until next year. He has also
surveyed several project sites and work with town roads. He noted we may put on a tour for the
NW Association to highlight some projects we worked on. It would be in conjunction with the fall
annual fall tour and would be sometime this Sept or early October.
Next meeting date: August 21st, 2020, at 9:00 AM.
Fred welcomed our new LCC member, Charly Ray, to the committee.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
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