HomeMy WebLinkAboutLand Conservation Committee - Minutes - 8/25/2023
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
August 25th, 2023 (to be approved)
Present: Charly Ray-Chairperson; Marty Milanowski-Vice-chairperson; Larry Fickbohm-Co
Board Supervisor; Fred Strand-Co Board of Supervisor; Greg Tetzner-FSA Rep;
Matt Bolen-Ag Technician/Wildlife Damage Program Coordinator/Specialist; Ben
Dufford-Co. Conservationist; Melissa Kraft-LWCD Asst; and Ramona Shackleford-
NCWMA Coordinator
Absent: Representative of-NRCS; Representative of-USFWS; Representative of WDNR;
Pete Tetzner-Citizen Rep.; Travis Tulowitzky-Cons.Tech.; Andrew Teal-AIS Coord.
The meeting was called to order by Charly Ray-Chairperson, at 9:05 a.m.
Discussion on Approval of Minutes from May 19th, 2023 meeting:
MOTION: Approval of Minutes (May 19th, 2023) – Marty Milanowski/Larry Fickbohm – motion
carried.
Public Comment: Charly asked if there was anyone who would like to address the committee;
hearing none, Charly closed public comment.
Greg Tetzner entered the meeting at 9:06 a.m.
Agency Staff/Partners Reports:
a. NRCS Update: Ben spoke with Todd Norwood who has some ag projects- a lot of
grazing project & two big manure pit closures. Will be contacting a 3rd potential manure
pit closure site. Larry noted that he knows of someone in Port Wing that may have a
possible manure pit that could be closed. He gave the information to Ben to check into.
b. USFWS Update: Travis is working on a project on Jader Creek funded by USFWS that
begins on Monday. It’s a stream crossing project with a bottomless arch with concrete
footings.
c. WDNR Update: None.
d. Others: None.
Discussion/Possible Action: Budget Resolution in support of DNR LMPN Grant – The
resolution is needed in support of requesting grant funding and assistance available from the WI
DNR under the “Lake Monitoring & Protection Network” and authorizes the LWCD to act on behalf
of Bayfield County to carry out obligations set forth in the grant.
MOTION: To approve the Resolution as presented, and forward to the County Board of
Supervisors for review and approval at the County Board meeting –Marty Milanowski/Greg
Tetzner – motion carried.
Discussion/Possible Action: Wildlife Damage Budget Proposal - Matt Bolen discussed his
budget proposal and copies were provided to the committee for review. The total budget for the
program is $52,905.52. Bayfield County’s portion for the 2024 WDAP budget is $52,905.52, and
all expenses will be reimbursed through the WDNR. The main increase from last year is the salary
Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
portion, therefore, we are asking for 100% funding from the WDNR. An application for a NACD
grant was submitted to fund the Ag/Nutrient Management work between Bayfield, Ashland, and
Iron County, however, we won’t know about the grant award until later in the year than usual
because the grant application structure was changed this year. Therefore, with that in mind, for
Bayfield Co under the 2024 LWCD budget we added $10,000 in our contractual line item to cover
Matt’s work that would be done on Ag/Nutrient Management program work for Bayfield County if
our counties don’t get funded through the NACD grant. It was noted that less money will be
available and that the NACD grant has become more competitive.
MOTION: To approve the Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program 2024 Budget as
presented in the amount of $52,905.52, and to forward to the County Board of Supervisors for
review and approval – Marty Milanowski/Fred Strand– motion carried.
Annual Cervid Farm Inspection/CWD Program Update and Report – In 2019, the committee
thought it would be good to have the zoning and land conservation office do the annual cervid farm
inspections together. Ben suggested that the LWCD be responsible for the annual cervid farm
inspections vs. trying to go out with the zoning office, mainly due to the zoning office being too
busy, therefore it would be more effective for the LWCD to solely take it on. Ben asked for the
committee to support the LWCD moving forward with the inspections and the committee agreed.
Ben discussed the 2022 Annual CWD report; which is on file. Ben noted that the location in
Cornucopia for the dumpster was a new location we tried, but it did not do well, therefore, we will
not place a dumpster at that location for 2023. Ben intends to try and reach out to some additional
possible sponsors for dumpsters.
Discussion/Possible Action: EcoFootprint Grant Opportunity – Ben asked the committee for
any ideas for future projects that would fall under this grant opportunity which would need to be
applied for by end of October. Ben suggested shoreline erosion issues. Charly suggested
invasive control, artesian well projects, outreach education programs for stewardships, bank/bluff
restorations, Forestry Dept.-for barrens restorations, and Ag/nutrient management projects.
Discussion/Possible Action: 2024 LWCD Budget Proposal - The LCC reviewed the 2024
LWCW Budget proposal provided for review and approval and for passing the budget on to the
Executive Committee/Full County Board. The overall grants/department’s funding is stable with
continued DATCP Staffing Support funding. Ben discussed grants and, also several NCWMA
grants with full reimbursement on expenses. Ben discussed the LWCD revenue and expenses.
He noted that a new line item called, clothing allowance, was added for 2024 and was put in for
LWCD employees due to personal equipment/clothing used while in the field is needed and
employees have experienced personal clothing damage while in the field in the past. The
Committee expressed their support for the added clothing allowance line item and noted that the
request and need is reasonable.
Discussion on increasing WCC Reimbursement fund. Committee noted support of some funding
but not necessarily to cover all the expenses that the representatives incur while at the meeting. It
is currently in the 2024 budget at $900.00. Consensus to keep it at the $900.00.
MOTION: To approve forwarding the proposed LWCD 2024 Budget to the Executive Committee
for review and approval to the Full County Board of Supervisors – Greg Tetzner/Marty
Milanowski – motion carried.
Artesian Well Report Update and future possible action – Charly noted that the draft of the
Artesian Well Study Report is in the LCC meeting packet. He also noted that the first public
meeting will be scheduled for late September. Planning on two public information/discussion
sessions. The ad hoc group and committee department heads will present to the board with
specific proposals for artesian well and ground water. He discussed that there are things that the
county could be supporting for artesian wells and ground water. He noted that one thought on how
Our Mission: To assist the public in protecting, enhancing, and restoring the natural resources of Bayfield County
to proceed forward is to possibly apply for more funds to build off the most recent studies for a
more in-depth study of areas such as Cornucopia, Washburn, Mt. Ashwabay, to determine how the
water is feeding into areas and how to protect them. Another idea is having a board resolution
statement supporting artesian wells and protection of them. Question was raised as to whether
other communities have an ordinance regarding artesian wells. Charly said they have not come
across any ordinances that discuss artesian pressure.
Set date for next meeting/Annual Fall Tour: October 13, 2023 at 8:30 a.m.
Grant Updates:
Ben discussed the various grants during the 2024 budget review. He also briefly mentioned the
culvert grants through the Fish & Wildlife/Federal grant program he deals with. He also
discussed a possible new $327,000 grant for 2024-2026 through the EPA Great Lakes proposal
for Fish Creek 9 Key Element Plan with all the projects attached. We preliminarily have been
told that it will be funded but we haven’t seen anything official. Lacey from the DNR (Lake
Superior Coordinator) recently informed Ben that she is taking a different position. He has a
new DNR contact who stated she will be working on the contract for us for when the funding
letter does come through stating that we got the grant.
LWCD Staff Reports: Discussed and on file.
Andy: Report on file. Unable to attend meeting.
Ramona: Report on file. Ramona discussed her report in detail.
Matt Bolen: Provided handout of his report to the committee and discussed his report in detail.
Melissa: Report on file. Melissa discussed her report.
Travis: Project pictures on file. Unable to attend meeting.
Ben: Update on meetings and projects he has been working on.
Discussion of matters related to the LWCD by the LCC – Larry thanked the LWCD staff and
committee for work on our conservation efforts in our county.
Charly discussed revision of Land & Water Plan. Ben noted that the current plan is in effect until
2029.
Charly expressed interest in having the LWCD be more strategic regarding invasives on the
landscape. Discussed his concern about buckthorn by the Souix River that is replacing the
understory in the forest. He’d like see collaborative work with the towns/highway/forestry dept. to
help manage/control areas through mowing or treating it. Specifically, he noted his concern that
he will see other agencies, such as GLIFW, treating one area of an invasive at the mouth of a river
but either down or upstream it’s not being treated. Spotted knotweed and buckthorn are another
concern. Trailheads where people bike would be a great spot to focus treatment. Charly sees an
opportunity to be more strategic of pooling all efforts together. Ramona discussed various
agencies working on areas and that have done assessments. She noted that Iron Co is very
proactive and hire 3 seasonal. She noted our interns are working in a 4-county region so it’s a
wider range of area to work on.
Next meeting date: October 13th, 2023, at 9:00 AM.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by Melissa Kraft.
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