HomeMy WebLinkAboutL & W Approved Minutes January 10_2014GRANT COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION
COMMITTEE MEETING
January 10, 2014
9:00 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; Dwight Nelson, Lester Jantzen, Vince Loeffelholz, Roger Guthrie, and Dale Hood. Others
present were, Allen King, Rick Junk, Randy Chambers, Larry Wolf, Joe Schmelz, Lynda Schweikert,
Annette Lolwing, and Dave Bainbridge.
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 an agenda to Bob Middendorf, WGLR, and was posted in the front of the Ag
Service Building. Media notices were sent to Karla Schwantes, Herald Independent, Tri County Press,
Platteville Journal, and the Muscoda Progressive.
Motion by Dwight Nelson, seconded by Lester Jantzen to approve the agenda as printed. Motion
carried.
Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Dale Hood to approve the December 11, 2013 minutes.
Motion carried.
Bills: Annette Lolwing
Motion by Dwight Nelson, seconded by Roger Guthrie to approve the bills. Motion carried.
Junk Farm Cost Sharing Appeal
Rick Junk attended the meeting because he was under the assumption that he had been signed up for
$3,500.00 county cost sharing but was found that there was not a county cost sharing application on
file. Rick asked the committee to accept his application after the project had been finished. He had
worked with Ralph Hemling to design and install a concrete reception pit to pump manure from a new
freestall barn into an existing earthen pit. Rick completed all requirements of the manure storage
ordinance and cost sharing requirements. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Vince Loeffelholz to
approve Rick for $3,500.00 county cost sharing. Motion carried.
Forestry Report: Allen King
Allen King introduced himself as the new DNR Forester for Grant County. He covers most of the
county except for the Southeastern townships. Allen’s largest workload is the Managed Forest Law
Program which consists of approximately 23,000 acres. Allen also works with the landowners that are
required to do a mandatory timber harvest due in the MFL program. The state also has a cost share
program through the (WFLGP) Wisconsin Forest Landowner Grant Program for landowners to apply
for cost sharing, has approximately 20 applications to do noncommercial Timber Stand Improvements
and to regenerate desirable trees in the clear cut areas. He is also working with NRCS on some EQIP
cost sharing for forestry practices. He started working in Grant County in late May and he is originally
from the Hartford Area. He was a forestry technician in the state since 2011 and has worked in the
Eau Claire area for the past 2+ years.
County Cost Sharing Requests: Lynda Schweikert
Lynda reported that the 2013 county cost sharing account will have a carryover of $53,081.48 less the
$31,563.50 that is already allocated for projects leaving $21,517.98 carryover. By adding the
$20,000.00 county cost sharing that is budgeted to the 2013 carryover gives us a starting balance of
$41,517.98 to allocate for cost sharing practices for 2014.
Lynda presented a cancellation request for Marvin Ludwig, Jamestown Twp., for $670.00 on a grade
stabilization structure. Marvin received greater than 75% through EQIP cost sharing and therefore is
not eligible for county cost sharing. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Lester Jantzen to
cancel Marvin’s request. Motion carried.
Lynda presented a tentative approval request for county cost sharing for a well decommissioning for
Brian Roesch, Platteville Twp., $500.00. Motion by Dale Hood, seconded by Roger Guthrie to
approve Brian’s request. Motion carried.
Lynda presented a tentative approval request for county cost sharing for a well decommissioning for
Jean Ramaker, Jamestown Twp., $375.00. Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dwight Nelson to
approve Jean’s request. Motion carried.
Lynda presented a tentative approval request for $225.00 county cost sharing for a well
decommissioning for Edward Eddy, Jamestown Twp. that was decommissioned prior to receiving
LWCC approval or a construction plan. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Dale Hood to refuse
Edward’s request as he did not follow the county cost sharing policy. Motion carried.
Lynda presented final approval request for county cost sharing for a manure storage facility for
Richard and Kevin Junk, East Cassville Twp., $3,500.00. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by
Lester Jantzen to approve payment. Roll Call: 6 Yes, 0 No, 1 Absent. Motion carried.
SWRM Cost Sharing Requests: Lynda Schweikert
Lynda presented final approval request for county cost sharing of $1,525.75.00 and DATCP cost
sharing of $1,638.00 on a streambank protection project for Ronald Kunkel, Hazel Green Twp.
Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Lester Jantzen to approve payment. Roll Call: 6 Yes, 0 No,
1 Absent. Motion carried.
Discussion of Combination of LWCC and Planning and Zoning Committees
Mark Stead mentioned that after the April elections both committees will be merged into 1 committee.
Lynda will be asking for recommendations from the Land & Water Conservation Committee and from
the Planning, and Zoning Committee. By statute the LWCC must have at least 2 persons who are
members of the Ag and Extension committee and 1 person from the FSA committee. Both committees
are at 7 county board members at this time. Motion by Roger Guthrie, seconded by Lester Jantzen that
Lynda present the recommendation to the county board to have 7 county board members and 1 person
from FSA. Motion carried.
Land & Water Conservation Report
Lynda reported that she had drawn up a letter in response to the DATCP funding proposal and was sent
to Richard Castelnuovo. Asking DATCP to step back and further discuss the funding strategy. There
are 3 specific issues that we are asking DATCP to address. 1. The 100% first position. 2. What
exactly defines conservation. 3. Where does the LWRM plan fit in to the equation. Have had no
response back from DATCP.
Lynda reported that Misty Morning Dairy has finalized their submission of the WPDES permit. The
WPDES permits all farms above the 1,000 animal units. Lynda will be meeting with the Fennimore
Town Board and DNR to answer questions regarding the WPDES permit.
Lynda reported that the SAA has been informed that they need to have a winter meeting to nominate
an individual to the LWCB. There is a SAA meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 16, 2014, at
10:00 a.m. at the Health & Human Services Building in Dodgeville. Those planning to attend are:
Vince, Lester, Dwight, Dale, Mark, Annette, and Lynda.
Lynda mentioned that the WLWCA will be having their conference on March 10 – 12, in Appleton, at
the Paper Valley Hotel. Those who plan to attend are: Dale, Mark, Vince, Lynda, Annette, Kevin, and
Dwight. Lynda asked the committee to come up with Silent Auction Items for the conference.
FPP Report: Lynda Schweikert
Lynda presented 1 Cancellation of a Notice of Noncompliance for Robert & Teresa Stader, Liberty and
South Lancaster Twp. They have submitted their Nutrient Management Plan. Motion by Lester
Jantzen, seconded by Roger Guthrie to approve the cancellation. Motion carried.
Lynda presented a Certificate of Compliance with Conservation Standards for FPP Tax Credits for
Kevin Menne, Ellenboro Twp. Kevin has never been in FPP and has met all the FPP requirements.
Motion by Lester Jantzen, seconded by Dale Hood to approve Kevin’s Certificate of Compliance for
FPP. Motion carried.
Lynda presented 17 Notices of Noncompliance for FPP: Robert & Karen Bellmeyer, Lima Twp.,
Randy and Linda Bendorf, Ellenboro and South Lancaster Twp., Edmond & Malinda Dietzel, Paris
Twp., Steve & Mary Lou Dietzel, Paris Twp., Jeffrey & Linda Everill, Liberty Twp., Donna Graney,
C/O Vince Graney, Platteville Twp., Robert Griffith, Fennimore Twp., Eileen Henkel, Fennimore
Twp., Steve Irish, South Lancaster Twp., Michael & Janice Kelley, Wingville Twp., John & Alberta
Linneman, Mt. Ida Twp., John Miller, Paris Twp., Steve Muldoon, South Lancaster, Liberty and
Ellenboro Twp., Mark Nelson, Liberty Twp., Clement & Wanda O’Brien, Mt. Hope Twp., Everett &
Phylis Runde, Lima Twp., Lowell Shinn, Platteville Twp., Robert & Lorraine VanNatta, Potosi Twp.,
Bruce & Vickie Wagner, Paris Twp., Carl Winkers, Fennimore and Wingville Twp. Joseph & Mary
Lenz, Jamestown Twp. This list of individuals had been spot checked in 2012, they had to December
31, 2013 to turn in a NMP which they failed to do. Letters had been sent out in April and again in
October reminding them to complete their NMP. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Lester
Jantzen to approve the cancellations. Motion carried.
Lynda presented is a Notice of Noncompliance for Jonas Miller, Liberty Twp. for failure to permit a
spot check. Lynda had sent them 2 separate letters to try and get in contact with them but they failed to
reply to either letter. Motion by Dale Hood, seconded by Lester Jantzen to approve the Notice of
Noncompliance. Motion carried.
Lynda reported that John & Elaine Droessler, Jamestown Twp., was spot checked in 2012. He did get
a NMP to us in February 2013. The nutrient management plan and planner both wrote a note that there
were not enough soil samples taken. They failed to pull a soil test every 5 acres. Kevin informed them
to pull the additional soil samples in the fall and provide us an updated plan with the supplemented soil
samples added in. The agronomist failed to pull the soil samples in the fall of 2013. The Droessler’s
are requesting us to hold off on the Notice of Noncompliance until they have a chance to rectify this
and make the changes needed the spring of 2014. Lynda is recommending an extension to their plan to
June 1, 2014 to receive the completed NMP. If we do not receive the plan by then, D.O.R. will be
notified and he will need to repay their tax credit for 2013. Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by
Lester Jantzen to approve the extension to June 1, 2014. Motion carried.
NRCS Report: Joe Schmelz
Joe reported that the EQIP sign up has closed on December 20, 2013. Have 40 to 45 applications.
They are in the process of ranking those applications. The ranking deadline is January 21, 2014.
Should know by January 24, 2014 as to what applications will be accepted for funded.
Joe reported that there is a CSP application process that is going on at this time. The application
deadline was due to close on January 17th but it has been extended to February 7th. Have several
applications so far.
Joe mentioned that the NRCS has had an intermittent employee working with us the last semester and
his last day working in Grant County is January 10, 2014. Matt Miller will be working full time in
Lafayette County.
Report on Building Heating Issues: Dave Bainbridge
The committee asked Dave to come and discuss the heating issues in the building. Dave stated that he
has had several plumbing and heating contractors work on the heating and cooling system and they are
not able to get it regulated yet. Should have both heating vents closed in the break room during the
winter. Will be working on getting an individual heat vent run into Lynda’s office. New carpet and
cabinets are in the process of being built and will be replaced by Sue’s desk. In the future he wants to
change out the lights and the ceiling tiles. The building changes will be based on the approval of the
lease agreement.
FSA Report: Jared Reuter
Jared reported that they are waiting on the Farm Bill.
Have been busy taking fall crop certifications.
Beth Schauff retired on January 9, 2014
In 9 months’ time FSA went from 10 technicians to 6 technicians. They are able to do an
internal hire. Also hoping for an open hire.
Ag part of the Farm Bill is Ok; the holdup is the Farm Foods and Jobs program portion.
Loan programs are busy. They do not have a Farm Loan Program Technician.
County committee election is going on at this time.
Poster Judging: Annette Lolwing
Annette reported that the 2014 theme is “DIG DEEPER: Mysteries in the Soil” Posters were due in our
office by December 20, 2013. We had 62 posters handed in from 3 participating schools along with 3
posters from individuals not participating through their school. Poster winners at the local level are:
Grades K-1; 1st Place: Matthew Winch, Individual, 2nd Place: Mandi Wehrle, St Mary School,
Bloomington, and 3rd Place: Luke Patterson, St Mary School, Bloomington. Grades 2-3; 1st Place:
Michaela Runde, St Joseph School, Hazel Green, 2nd Place: Ryleigh Grunenwald, IGEMS, 3rd Place:
Caden Linder, IGEMS. Grades 4-6; 1st Place: Randy Winch, Individual, 2nd Place: Alisa Ramaker, St
Joseph School, Hazel Green, 3rd Place: Savannah Ernzen, St Joseph School, Hazel Green. Grades 7-9;
1st Place: Jonathan Breuer, St Mary School, Bloomington, 2nd Place: Jonathon Tolle, St Mary School,
Bloomington, 3rd Place: James Breuer, St Mary School, Bloomington. All first place winners will
advance on to the Area contest to be held on January 26, 2014.
Motion by Vince Loeffelholz, seconded by Dwight Nelson to adjourn until, Tuesday, February 4, 2014
at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted by
Annette Lolwing for Lester Jantzen