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HomeMy WebLinkAboutUnapproved MINUTES_December 10_2012GRANT COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE MEETING December 10, 2012 8:30 a.m. Ag Services Building Lancaster, Wisconsin The meeting was called to order by Chairman Mark Stead at 9:00 a.m. Present in addition to Chairman Stead were; Lester Jantzen, Dwight Nelson, Marvin Kettler, Dale Hood and Vince Loeffelholz. Others present were, Greg Cerven, Larry Wolf, Rick Lange, Kevin Lange, Lynda Schweikert, and Annette Lolwing. Roger Guthrie arrived at 8:57 a.m. Certification of Open Meeting Law: Annette Lolwing Annette Lolwing sent the agenda to Karla Schwantes to post in the Administration Building and at the Courthouse, also sent agenda to Bob Middendorf, WGLR, and was posted n the front of the Ag Service Building. Media notices were sent to Karla Schwantes, Herald Independent, Tri County Press, and the Platteville Journal. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dwight Nelson to approve that agenda as printed. Motion carried. Motion by Dwight Nelson, seconded by Dale Hood to approve the minutes from the November 6, 2012 meeting. Motion carried. Bills: Annette Lolwing Motion by Dwight Nelson, seconded by Dale Hood to approve the bills. Motion carried. Set 80% Harvest Date for WDACP: Greg Cerven Greg Cerven asked the committee to set a date as to when they thought the 80% of the crops were harvested. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Marvin Kettler to approve November 10, 2012 for the deadline date that 80% of the crops were harvested. Motion Carried. Set Commodity Prices for WDACP: Greg Cerven Greg handed out a sheet listing the approved prices for last year as well as the current market price for this year. In 2011, the price for Corn was $5.25/bu. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Lester Jantzen to approve the current market price of, $7.37/bu. Motion carried. Soybean price for 2011 was $11.00/bu. Motion by Dale Hood, seconded by Vince Loeffleholz to approve the current market price of $14.24/bu. Motion carried. Alfalfa Hay price for 2011 was $150/ton. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Marvin Kettler to approve the current market price of $184/ton. Motion carried with Vince opposing. Mixed Hay price for 2011 was $91/ton. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Dale Hood to increase the current market price of $111 to $145/ton. Motion carried. There were no claims for Organic Corn in 2011. Motion by Vince Loeffleholz, seconded by Marvin Kettler to approve the landowner’s stated price of $16/bu. Motion carried. Organic Hay price in 2011 was $185/ton. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dale Hood to approve the landowner’s stated price of $224/ton. Motion carried. The price of Grapes in 2011 were .35/lb. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Dwight Nelson to approve the current market price of .37/lb. Motion carried. County Cost Sharing Requests: Lynda Schweikert Lynda presented 3 extension requests from Lonnie Holthaus, Mt. Ida Twp., Storage Facility, $3,500.00; and Steve Roling, Paris Twp., 2 Grade Stabilization Structures, $2,100.00; and Dan Reynolds, North Potosi, Twp., 1 Grade Stabilization Structure, $1,862.00. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Dale Hood to approve all 3 landowners a 1 year extension to December 1, 2013. Motion carried. Lynda presented 3 cancellation requests for Ken Drury, Harrison Twp., for a rip rap practice, $2,535.23 county cost sharing and $5,076.27 DATCP cost sharing; Dave Margan, Platteville Twp., for a rip rap practice, $1,523.73 county cost sharing and $5,076.27 for DATCP cost sharing; and Teva LLC, Clifton Twp., for a rip rap practice, $3,500.00 county cost sharing and $5,076.29 DATCP cost sharing. All 3 projects came in under their cost estimate and all 3 practices received at least 70% cost sharing through the EQIP. Motion by Dwight Nelson, seconded by Marvin Kettler to approve all 3 cancellations. Motion carried. Lester Jantzen, Abstained. Lynda presented final approval request for county cost sharing on a well decommissioning for Donald Fecht, Hickory Grove Twp., $500.00. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dwight Nelson to approve payment. Roll Call: 6 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent. Motion carried. Lynda presented final approval request for county cost sharing on a grade stabilization structure for Fred Kieler, Paris Twp., $644.68. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Lester Jantzen to approve payment. Roll Call: 6 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent. Motion carried. Lynda presented tentative approval request for county cost sharing on a well decommissioning for Ron Austin, Lima Twp., $500.00. Motion by Dale Hood, seconded by Vince Loeffelholz to approve Ron’s well decommissioning request. Motion carried. Lynda presented tentative approval request for county cost sharing on a waste storage closure for David John Vosberg, Clifton, Twp., $3,500.00. Motion by Dale Hood, seconded by Marvin Kettler to approve David’s request. Motion carried. Lynda reported that all but Steve Roling’s 2 grade stabilization structures were installed through the 2011 SWRM Cost Share Program. Because of the new State Policy on cultural resources the project was not installed in the spring and was not cleared of cultural resources until after the drought occurred making it impossible to install his practice in 2012. Steve’s $6,811.92 will not be spent and will put us at an 11% under spending. Lynda reported that because of the cancellations of Ken Drury, Dave Margan, and Teva LLC; there is now $23,805.10 of 2012 DATCP cost sharing that still needs to be allocated. Lynda reported tentative approval request for DATCP cost sharing on 2 grade stabilization structures for Steve Roling, Paris Twp., $5,240.00; a grade stabilization structure for Joe Ploessl, (Chaffie Hollow Farm) Waterloo Twp., $5,950.00; a grade stabilization structure for George Lazarus, Smelser Twp., $1,173.00; a grade stabilization structure for Pete Neis, Paris Twp., $2,876.00; a grade stabilization structure for Wayne Junk, East Cassville Twp., $2,773.00; and a grade stabilization structure for Joe Uppena, Cassville Twp., $5,793.10. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Vince Loeffelholz to approve all 6 requests. Motion carried. Lynda presented final approval request for DATCP cost sharing on a 590 – NMP for Jeff Belstra, Mt. Ida Twp., $8,064.00. Motion by Dwight Nelson, seconded by Marvin Kettler to approve payment. Roll Call: 7 Yes, 0 No, 0 Absent. Motion carried. Lynda reported that there is $18,327.43 county cost sharing at the end of 2012 that will be carried over into 2013. In the 2011 DATCP cost sharing requests will have $6,811.92 that will go back to DATCP. In 2012 all of the DATCP cost sharing was allocated as well as the 2012 DATCP SEG Funding. SWRM Extension Request: Lynda Schweikert Lynda reported that with DATCP funding we are allowed to extend the funds1 year. Lynda is asking to extend 12 practices totaling $60,242.00 of Bonded money and 2 NMP practices for SEG funding in the amount of $8,487.00. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dwight Nelson to approve that Lynda apply for a 1 year extension for 2012 SWRM Funding because of unfavorable weather conditions. Motion carried. Carryover Account Approval: Lynda Schweikert Lynda reported that she received a memo from Nancy Scott to review our carryover accounts. Land Conservation carryover accounts are: County cost sharing, Tree Program, Vehicle Fund, Computer Fund, and NRCS Tech-Pro. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dale Hood to approve the 5 carryover accounts. Motion carried. Approval of CREP Amendment #7: Lynda Schweikert Lynda presented Amendment #7 for our current CREP Agreement with DATCP. The amendment changes the expiration date to state that either party may terminate this contract by giving at lease 30 days prior written notice to the other party. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Dwight Nelson to accept CREP Amendment #7. Motion carried. Land and Water Conservation Department Report: Lynda Schweikert Lynda reported that they had their Nutrient Crediting Class. This is a required class for the Farmer Written Nutrient Management Plan writing class. Had 9 students out of 11 showed up for this class. Lynda will do a follow up on those 2 landowners that did not show up for the class. All had their soil samples taken and 7 had their results back. Chris Baxter, UW Platteville, praised Lynda and her staff for her classes being well organized. Lynda reported that she attended a SW Tech Advisory Committee meeting. Lynda is on the SW Tech Ag Business Advisory Board. They are redoing their program and are looking for suggestions on how to improve their program. Lynda stated that what SW Tech provides is very valuable information, especially for beginning farmers. They are also doing a farmer written NMP class. Lynda reported that we have purchased vehicle signs to replace the ones that were missing on the vehicles. The cost of the magnetic signs was $20.00 a piece. Lynda reported that the 2012 Farmland Preservation spot checks are complete for this year. In 2012, there were 129 participating farmers spot checked, 28 are 100% in compliance, 81are working towards compliance, and 20 are non compliant. The totals up-to-date are: 478 have been spot checked since 2008, 208 are 100% in compliance, 128 are working towards compliance, 7 have existing agreements, and 135 are non compliant. There are 259 participating farmers remaining that will be spot checked by 2015. Lynda reported that the January meeting will need to be rescheduled because of the New Year Holiday conflict. Meeting will be held on January 3, 2013. FPP Report: Kevin Lange Kevin reported that he has 3 Voluntary Notices of Noncompliance issued to John Koeller, Potosi Twp., Moravits Farms Inc., Mount Hope Twp., and Dean Bussan, Fennimore Twp. Kevin handed out the tree order form for the 2013 Tree Sale. Made a few changes from the 2012 tree order forms. Last few years we were able to offer American Chestnut Trees, this year they did not offer us any. Changed our formula for the 2013 Tree Sale to increase the nursery price from 17% to 20% to cover our expenses. IAWISIL Nursery prices increased this year because of the drought with the additional irrigation that needed to be done. Tree order form is on the website. NRCS Report: Rick Lange, Acting DC Rick mentioned that he is the acting DC now that Melissa Bartz has moved on to the DC position in Lafayette County. The Grant County position was posted right away even while operating under a continuing resolution. The vacancy closed on November 30th. As of December 5, 2012, there has been no panel selected. Rick handed out a sheet of the Fiscal Year 2012 Financial Assistance Program Obligations for the Field Office Obligation, the SW Area Obligation, and the State Obligation. The total Lancaster Field Office Obligation was $921,025, the SW Area Obligation was $6,962,931, and the State Obligation was $33,226,281. Crawford County, Prairie Du Chien Field Office had $643,000. The 2013 EQIP sign up is underway and goes until January 18, 2013. Must be ranked by February 22, 2013; and the obligation deadline is March 29, 2013. EQIP is still operating under the 2008 Farm Bill. No idea of how much money we will have locally for the EQIP. Not many changes from the 2012 EQIP. One big change is that cost share level will be a flat rate which will be the same in the state of Michigan and Minnesota. CSP has been put on hold because of having no Farm Bill. There will be a Trout Unlimited Initiative, a Landscape Initiative, a Hoop House Initiative, an Energy Initiative, an Organic Initiative, do not know if they will also have a Driftless Area Landscape Initiative sign up. All sign ups will begin and end at the same time this year. We have no State or County Allocations at this time. The average cost share rate/flat rate has decreased to 65% of what the 3 states feel the average cost of a practice would originally cost. The special Initiatives will have a 75% cost share rate. The beginning farmer, limited resource farmer, and the historical underserved will remain at 90% cost share rate. Mark Stead took an opportunity on behalf of the Land & Water Conservation Committee and of the citizens of Grant County to thank Marvin Kettler for his services as Farm Service Agency Representative on this committee. FSA Report: No Report Motion by Dwight Nelson, seconded by Lester Jantzen to adjourn until January 3, 2013. Respectfully Submitted by Annette Lolwing for Lester Jantzen