HomeMy WebLinkAboutTribal-County Relations Committee - Minutes - 4/19/2011Tribal Studies Minutes 04191110
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Minutes of the Bayfield County Tribal Relations Committee Meeting
1:30pm, Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Bingo Hall, Red Cliff Reservation
Members Present: Leo LaFernier, Beth Meyers, William Bussey, Marvin DeFoe
Others Present: Mark Abeles-Allison, Jason Bodin, Chad Abel, Jeff Benton
Meeting called to order by Marvin DeFoe at 1:30pm
Motion Regarding Minutes of the June 28, 2010, Tribal Studies Committee Meeting;
Motion Meyers, Bussey to approve the minutes of the June 28, 2010. Motion Carried
Item 4: A law enforcement update was provided by Abeles-Allison.
• Add tribal county law enforcement agreement to next meeting
• Dialogue is going well.
• Sheriff to present to tribal council this evening for a quarterly report.
Item 3: Jason Bodine, Bayfield County forester reviewed plans underway. Of the 1420 acres of
County Forest within the Red Cliff Tribal Boundaries 1070 are scheduled for management over
the next 5 years. Bodine reiterated the department’s interest from the last meeting in June of
2010 to establish a dialog with the tribe regarding management of the acreage. Comparing goals,
strategies for harvest, reforestation priorities and techniques could be topics of the discussion.
Chad Abel, Forest Manager for Red Cliff expressed concern regarding clear cutting and noted
current forest issues such as the Emerald Ash borer.
Marvin DeFoe expressed the need for creative/selective harvests and provided the example of
Star Route Road.
Leo LeFernier asked about the method of harvest and when it is determined prior to sale. He
also inquired about small animal habitat. Concern about small animal habitat.
Bodine discussed habit. Maintain woody debris, standing dead trees. Even clear cut leaves a
percentage of trees. Management plans in county forest are based on species types.
LaFernier stated he was not against forest sales, need to integrate that with habitat, small animal
preservation.
Jeff Benton: within forestry areas, housing is not allowed unless specifically approved. Jeff
encouraged coming together to make decisions regarding type of harvests (selective/aggressive)
as well as aesthetics.
Marvin recommended Abel and Bodine and himself meet with Jed from BIA.
Benton mentioned road funding. Have intense meetings once a week, to discuss roads. A
Tribal Studies Minutes 04191110
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number of routes could benefit forestry.
LaFernier and Defoe raised the issue of a possible national park on the reservation along the
coast line.
Bodine discussed permit issues. The county has applied for a permit but received no
notification. It was noted that a check was not submitted. The county will pay the permit fee.
Bodine and Abel together with other tribal representatives will gather to discuss these topics
before the next meeting.
Item 5. Red Cliff representation on the county tribal committee meeting was reviewed. It was
noted that more regular meetings are needed. LaFernier noted that he would be stepping down.
Meyers said it would be an end to an era as he has served since before 1983.
Item 6. The committee discussed a modified title for the committee. Tribal-County Relations
Committee was the final choice.
Item 7. Other topics raised included:
• Meyers: Concern with the Governors budget as it related to Income Maintenance
entralization and program reductions. Family Care providing services to the frail and elderly
provided by Northern Bridges were being threatened.
• Staffing changes in the Sheriff’s department were shared, Dan Clark is the new Chief eputy,
Lieutenants are Paul Pauson and Bryan Paulsen, Paul Susienka is Sheriff.
• Recent grants in Criminal Justice include a Risk Reduction Court and continuation of the
Department of Commerce Re-Entry program grant. All of these program focus on reducing
recidivism.
• LaFernier raised concerns about the mining efforts and felt this should be a future agenda
item.
• DeFoe raised the issue of Asian carp, remembering the county and tribes agreement on
petitioning the State for more action on this item. Marvin stated that the Tribal/County
relationship was more important than we realize.
Item 8: The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 10:00am in the EOC at the
courthouse.
Meeting adjourned at 3:25.