HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation Committee - Minutes - 10/9/2020
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
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Phone: (715) 373-6167 FAX: (715) 373-6127 Website: www.bayfieldcounty.org
MINUTES
October 9th, 2020 (to be approved)
Present: Fred Strand-Chairperson; Marty Milanowski-Vice-chairperson (via telephone); David
Zepczyk; Ben Dufford-Co. Conservationist; Melissa Kraft-LWCD Asst; Andrew Teal-
AIS Coord.; Travis Tulowitzky-Cons. Tech.
Absent: Gary Haughn-NRCS; Charly Ray-Co Board of Supervisors; Melissa Netz-FSA Rep;
Ted Kohler-USFWS; Ramona Shackleford-NCWMA Coordinator; Dave Schultz-
Wildlife Damage Specialist
At 9:00 am, Fred Strand, Chairperson, noted that no quorum is present therefore he can’t call the
meeting to order and that no official business or motions may be made.
Agency Staff/Partners Reports:
a. NRCS Update: Gary Haughn was unable to attend the meeting, however he provided
an update report which is on file for committee members to review.
b. USFWS Update: Working on habitat/wetland projects with USFWS biologist Ted
Koehler. They are still working remotely.
c. WDNR Update: Todd Naas retired Sept. 4th, 2020. Patrick Beringer is the current
contact. A new warden replaced Matt McKenzie’s position.
d. WDAP Update: Dave Schultz was unable to attend the meeting, however he provided
an update report which is on file for committee members to review.
Discussion- Deer Farm Inspection Report:
Ben discussed the follow-up inspection done on Oct.1st of the Antler Ridge deer farm regarding the
repairs to fencing that the owner was to have repaired by mid-September. Ben reported that the
farm still has needed repairs. DNR will determine this year if they will renew the game farm
license.
Discussion- CWD Report/Update for fall of 2020:
Ben noted that Matt Bolen is working on CWD outreach education regarding the upcoming deer
season. DNR is conducting testing a little different this year. One will be in Northern part of
county, Ashland Co, and Bayfield Co. Dumpsters for disposal of deer carcasses will be ordered
and placed at various locations, however, all specific locations have not been finalized yet. The
general dumpster locations will be in Ashland, Iron River, PJ’s Cabin Store and Grandview.
Information on dumpster and testing sites will be provided to the community through his outreach
education efforts. Cost-sharing for dumpsters can be reimbursed by 50% through DNR funding.
We reapplied for the same grant we received last year for $1000, however, we didn’t get awarded
the grant for this year. Bayfield Co Land & Water Conservation recently set up a Facebook page
and CWD information will be posted to the site and brochures will be distributed similar to last year.
Discussion- South Fish Creek Targeted Watershed Assessment Comments:
Ben summarized the status of the South Fish Creek Watershed issue and written comments were
provided for committee member review for discussion on how they would like to proceed with the
issue and 2018 ordinance regarding the matter. DNR news report reported that it has been
impaired with high phosphorus levels and is listed as an impaired watershed from the assessment.
Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
Discussion- South Fish Creek Manure Storage Ordinance:
The committee received the 2018 Ordinance for their review and discussion along with draft
comments that were prepared on the DNR’s South Fish Creek Targeted Watershed Assessment
and Recommendations.
Approximately 3 years ago the County passed and submitted this ordinance to the WDNR for
approval. Eventually in court, we were told that the ordinance is not valid. The county now is
reconsidering submitting the ordinance again, since South Fish is still impaired. Discussion on
how to proceed with the ordinance and whether changes are needed and if it should be revised
and resubmitted to the DNR for approval. Committee members discussed some needed changes
to the current ordinance. Particularly, the amount of manure storage. Fred noted the watershed
became impaired under the current regulations so it would make sense to try and change practices
for a better outcome.
Committee determined the comments section they were given for review and ordinance be
revised, as discussed, and forwarded to the county board for review and decision. Comments and
ordinance (at Sec. 5-7-7) should be changed to read that the animal manure storage facilities shall
be properly designed to provide a minimum of 270 days of manure storage, not 540 days of
manure storage capacity.
Virtual Fall Tour Presentation:
A power point was presented and discussed in detail for the committee regarding the 2020 Land
Conservation cost-share projects that our department worked on.
Next tentative meeting date: February 19th, 2021, at 9:00 AM.
Meeting ended at 11:00 a.m.
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