HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation Committee - Minutes - 2/18/2022
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 Website: www.bayfieldcounty.wi.gov
MINUTES
February 18th, 2022 (to be approved)
Present: Fred Strand-Chairperson; Marty Milanowski-Vice-chairperson; David Zepczyk-Co
Board of Supervisor; Charly Ray-Co Board of Supervisor; Pete Tetzner-Citizen
Rep.; Greg Tetzner-FSA Rep; Matt Bolen-Ag Technician/Wildlife Damage
Coordinator/Specialist; Ben Dufford-Co. Conservationist; Melissa Kraft-LWCD Asst;
Andrew Teal-AIS Coord.; Travis Tulowitzky-Cons. Tech., Larry Fickbohm-County
Board of Supervisor; and Ramona Shackleford-NCWMA Coordinator
Absent: Representative of-USFWS; Representative of WDNR
The meeting was called to order by Fred Strand-Chairperson, at 9:00 a.m.
Introductions round table. Brief introduction of Matt Bolen’s position as Agricultural
Technician/Wildlife Damage Coordinator for Ashland/Bayfield/Douglas/Iron Co. The position is
housed in Ashland County Land & Water Department office. Bayfield Co contracts for a portion of
his services.
Discussion on Approval of Minutes from August 20th, 2021 meeting:
MOTION: Approval of Minutes (August 20th, 2021) – Marty Milanowski/Dave Zepczyk – 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: None.
b. USFWS Update: Ted Koehler report via email-Working on two wetland projects with
Land Conservation. One in Town of Eileen and the other in the Town of Kelly. Also
working on a Federal grant project on Jader Creek and North Sweden Rd, and a
streambank and crossing training in the fall with Trout Unlimited. Will also be surveying
various other projects with LWCD.
c. WDNR Update: Eddie Shea reported via the following updates: Otter surveys-carrying
out otter surveys on the Flag River just north of Port Wing, and on the Sioux River off
church Corner Road. Carnivore surveys-carnivore track surveys have been conducted
throughout Bayfield Co this winter. Shea met a couple times with DNR Foresters to
discuss upcoming timber harvests on DNR lands. Shea has been in recent discussions
with Bayfield Co Foresters about wildlife management on county lands. There are also
conversations starting to take place on this year’s sharptailed grouse trapping and
collaring efforts. One wolf depredation permit was rescinded in 2022 following relisting
to the ESA. Shea noted that the Bayfield Co CDAC meeting is scheduled for March
29th at 6:30pm and there will be a recap of last year’s deer harvest & population
estimates for this year.
Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
d. Others: Charly Ray discussed paper that just came out from Mary Griggs Water Policy
Center at Northland on artesian water and possibility of protecting artesian systems.
The county put in a grant application through the DNR and recently found out it will be
funded to do some base line data collection about what the artisan resource is, how it
works, capacity and re-charge system. He asks that everyone take a look at it to
familiarize themselves with the issue and have a joint meeting with some key staff to
determine how to structure the data collection and what information should be collected,
& what, if any, steps the county should be taken to support the protection and maintain
the artesian springs, etc. Zoning policies and permits for the water itself could possibly
be something appropriate to look at as some possible steps for implementation. A state
geologist will be a key data collector. We have a unique resource that should be
protected and preserved.
Ben noted that the property that was the possible site for the proposed CAFO years
ago, recently sold so the application should now be closed. He believes a beef farmer
purchased the land.
Discussion/Possible Action: Wildlife Damage – Set 2021 Crop Damage Claim Prices: The
committee heard from the new wildlife damage coordinator, Matt Bolen, about the 2021 wildlife
damage claims regarding setting the per bushel claim for damage last summer in Mason for a
farmer that had substantial soybean loss to deer. He had a total of 7 acres damaged come
harvest time. In October he had 40.63 yield/bushels per acre which gave him a loss of 207.83
bushels. Bolen recommends $13.26/per bushel which is and average through DATCP’s state
prices. Two soybean purchasers, Country Visions and Mix Rite, was looked at and the low end
was $11.48 and the high end was $14.40. His total damage would then come to $2,755.83 and
then after his $500 deductible his total damages would then come to $2,255.83 using $13.26/per
bushel. The deadline is March 1st for submission. He noted that in 2021, there were two bear
damage claims in Bayfield County. The committee was given the opportunity to ask questions
and decide whether to approve and/or modify the claims.
MOTION: To approve the recommended price of $13.26/per bushel for the soybean crop damage.
– Pete Tetzner/Dave Zepczyk – motion carried.
Discussion/Possible Action: Wildlife Damage – Approval for 2022 Bear Relocation
Contract with USDA-APHIS-WS for Bayfield County: The committee heard from the wildlife
damage coordinator, Matt Bolen, and reviewed the proposed 2022 APHIS bear damage
contract to decide whether to approve, and/or modify the contract. The work plan consisted of
costs estimated at $2,800 Personnel Compensation, $436 Vehicle costs, $120 Supplies &
Material, $120 Equipment, $561.37 Indirect Costs, for a total of $4,037.00.
MOTION: To approve the 2022 Bear Relocation Contract with USDA-APHIS-WS for Bayfield
County as presented and to forward to the County Board of Supervisors– Charly Ray/Marty
Milanowski – motion carried.
Discussion/Possible Action on Budget Amendment Resolution for NCWMA and AIS
program: The actual year-end-carry-over balance from the NCWMA DNR-WMA Private Forest
Grant and the AIS#6 grant amounts were not what was anticipated when the 2022 budget was
established, therefore, the budget amendment requests the expenses and revenues both be
increased to reflect the year-end differences in each grant.
MOTION: To approve the Resolution of Support in State budget for County Conservation Staff
funding, as presented, and to forward to the County Board of Supervisors for the County Board
meeting scheduled for March– Dave Zepczyk/Pete Tetzner – motion carried.
Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
CWD 2021 Prevention Program Report/Update:
Ben gave a report of the results of the CWD/Adopt-A-Dumpster program of 2021. Five dumpsters
were placed at the following locations: Ashland DNR Service Center, Timber Ghost Taxidermy in
Iron River, PJ’s Cabin Store in Barnes, Grandview General Store in Grandview, and Ken & Dale
Excavating at US HWY 2 and Hnath Rd in Ashland, from about November 4th through December
10th, for carcass disposal. The total deer carcass weight collected was 10.91 tons with the
Ashland DNR Station seeing the most usage, then Timberghost Taxidermy and then PJ’s Cabin
Store, etc. We had the dumpsters out earlier and kept them out longer per last year’s public
feedback. We continued with the Facebook page again posting some informational CWD posts.
The dumpster location sites were also posted on the onX Hunting app as well. Testing wasn’t
heavily pushed this year because the WDNR met the test number of 300 after 2020. The focus of
2021 was promoting prevention thru dumpster usage. Bayfield County still took in far more deer
for testing than other surrounding northern counties with 113 samples submitted for 2021.
The expenses for 2021 were $2,516.07 (cost of dumpster rentals & waste removal, operating
supplies such as rope, banners, & printing/duplication fees) and we took in $2,250.00 in donations,
plus we will receive funds from a WIDNR grant in the amount of approx. $900 which covers 50% of
three dumpster fees.
MOTION: Motion to place CWD report on file. Marty Milanowski/Pete Tetzner-Motion carried.
Antler Ridge cervid farm update: Discussion on various issues from the ongoing inspections of
the Antler Ridge deer farm in the Town of Eileen. Extensions had been granted by DATCP for the
deer farm and negotiations for them to rebuild a deer farm inside of the old deer farm. Meetings
we have had with them we encouraged them to close it up since they weren’t running it very well.
Fences were inspected again last November which revealed two new 80-acre enclosures and they
asked the DNR to certify it as two separate operations. This spring their plan is to connect those
two and have one operation again and apply for one deer farm instead of two. They basically ran
out of time to get the fences connected last year. The DNR was out there and certified both as a
new operation and DATCP worked with them as well re-permitting their existing operations.
Inspections will continue to ensure compliance.
2022 Project/Grant Updates: Ben discussed the Delta Dump design that Travis continues to
work on with DATCP engineer, Stacy Dehne. The design which included changing the grade and
filling it with gabion baskets was submitted to FEMA and approved for further funding of an
additional $350,000 approximately. Initially, Bodine got an estimate for funds of around $300,000
for only rock lining the channel. Construction will begin this year by Bayfield Co Hwy Dept. It was
noted that the Town of Delta will be providing some money towards the project.
FWS-Funding on a couple fish crossing passages project will begin next year. Brief discussion on
Sioux River culvert and the brook trout.
LWCD Staff Reports: Discussed and on file.
Andy: Report on file. CBCW 2021 reimbursement has been received. 2022 grant award is for
$20,000. AIS#6 had a cov balance of $6,385.82 into 2022. The new LMPN AIS#7 grant in the
amount of approx. $20,000 will begin after the cov balance funds are utilized from AIS#6. Travis
has been training him in on various projects and Auto CAD system. The forestry department is
improving access small carry-in ramp type launches on various lakes. Andy is a full time Bayfield
Co employee as of 2022.
Ramona: Report on file. Discussed Forest Service GLRI grant which she is waiting on an
additional $45,000 in funds they intend on adding and also a $30,000 grant award they will be
adding for boat wash funding. She has two DNR weed management area grants, one for private
Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
forested properties, and the knotweed grant. She has also been working on various workshops,
organizing hand pull garlic mustard events for spring, prepared a 2021 annual report and held
NCWMA quarterly meetings. Intends on hiring 5 seasonal staff, one will be a weed crew leader
and two technicians that treat weeds and two for the boat washer. Ramona is also helping to
organize women woodland owner workshops in August, September, and October. The focus will
be on awareness of invasives and encouraging women to help with treating invasive species.
Matt Bolen, Wildlife Damage: Began Jan. 4th, 2022. He has been getting trained in on wildlife
damage, writing nutrient management plans for farmers, coordinating farmland preservation
program, as well as managing rentals for the no till drill. Bayfield Co has had three wildlife damage
enrollments. Taken quite a few calls about elk that are not in issue yet, but more than likely going
to become an issue mostly in Ashland Co and a little bit in Bayfield Co. He just started working on
updating nutrient management plans and writing new ones throughout Ashland and Bayfield
County. Bear, turkey, and deer nuisance questions answered regarding permits.
Melissa: Report on file. Update on 2022 poster contest results and general office duties:
Coordinated local annual youth WI Land+Water poster contest. Received 21 poster from the South
Shore Elementary and Middle Division grades and awarded 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place winners from the
two grade divisions. The 1st place winning posters were submitted to the next level which was the
NW Area poster contest and one of the posters took 1st place. The poster will be judged in the
next level which is the State poster contest level held in early March. Note: No participants for the
Bayfield Co. speech contest this year. Attended the NW Area Association meeting in Hayward,
WI. General office duties-accounts payable/receivable; monthly reconciliations; budget; payroll;
DATCP cost-share contracts- tracking; applications; grant reimbursements; budget
resolutions/amendments; mail; submitted 2021 DATCP Staff & Support Reimbursement Request
for Staffing & Support Allocation; and will begin work on 2023 Joint DATCP/DNR Nonpoint Source
Grant Application due April 2022
Travis: Report on file. Discussed roof project, manure pit abandonment, well abandonments,
stream crossings, lakeshore projects, shoreline stabilization outreach project, concrete barnyard,
wetland restorations that will be partnered with USFWS, lakeshore stabilization project working
with DNR for permitting, etc. Travis noted that if anyone knows of a landowner that has an old well
on their property that is not being used, that they may contact our office as there is funding
available through DATCP and Bayfield Co funds to close out the well abandonment. Held a soils
training with DATCP engineer at two sites in Bayfield County. Attended various meetings.
Preparing for the spring LEEP program and a presentation for the Midwest Glacial Lakes
Partnership. Travis discussed photos that he provided of some before and after photos of past
projects to see the improvements made.
Ben: Discussed culvert projects with USFWS that he has helped with design work on them. Will
be working on a stream crossing on a town road. May work with the DNR for pipe replacement
south of Herbster. Town of Cable has some culverts they want to replace. Village of Mason has a
culvert by the park that will be replaced. Also, he will be working on wetland projects this spring.
Various meetings attended. Working on hosting a Stream crossing workshop for this fall.
Thank you to David Zepczyk for serving on our committee! He will be retiring as County Board
Supervisor.
Next meeting date: May 20th, 2022, at 9:00 AM.
Meeting adjourned at 10:35am
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