The meeting was called to order by the Chair, D. Boettcher, at 7:30 a.m.  Members present were D. Boettcher, J. Dahl, P. Licht, P. Michels, E. Rineck, and L. Willkom. 

Members absent were  J. Brost.

Agency staff present were M. Dahlby, J.T. Jensen, D. Masterpole, and J. Schemenauer - Recorder (LCD).

Others present were D. Carlson (Pheasants Forever).

Item #1 -Minutes/Bills/Plans/Contracts/Agreements.

The minutes from the 7/21/05 LCC meeting were presented.  Motion to approve the 7/21/05 minutes, as presented: Willkom/Dahl.  Motion carried.

There were no plans, contracts, or agreements presented.

Item #2 - Review Chippewa County Submittal for Joint Grant Application; North American Wetland Conservation (ACL).

D. Masterpole provided an informational report which summarized recent activities by the Land Conservation Dept. to work with other agencies and nonprofit conservation organizations (NGO’s) to pursue a grant for wetland acquisition through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.

Under the application, the Land Conservation Dept. is seeking approximately $100,000, which, if awarded, could be applied to fund a specified project proposal (Cherrier Acquisition II). 

The funding proposal is part of an area-wide grant application which has been prepared by the West Wisconsin Land Trust (WWLT) as the administering agency.  If awarded, the grant will be used to pursue a number of wetland related acquisitions located in the Lower Chippewa River Basin.

D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed the following materials:

1.         Map titled:  Lower Chippewa River Wetland Protection Partnership Phase II, (7/05).  The map shows the location of proposed wetland conservation projects in the Lower Chippewa River Basin.

2.         A  form titled:  North American Wetlands Conservation Act Proposal, Partner Contribution Form.  The form conveys the County’s intent to cooperate with other agencies to acquire and permanently protect approximately 200 acres of a headwater wetland complex located in T28N, R9W, Section 21, (Cherrier Acqusition II). 

The County’s match contribution (as required to gain access to these grant funds), is a “matching credit” which has been earned through the County’s direct contributions toward wetland related easement and property purchases during the previous 24 months ($101,631).

3.         Table titled:  Summary of Projects and Direct Expenditures Toward Land Conservation Easements and Fee Title Acquisitions by Chippewa County, July 1, 2003 - July 1, 2005, (LCD 7/26/05).  The table summaries the land conservation projects that were awarded County funding from 7/1/03 - 7/1/05, and the amount allocated to each project.

4.         Map titled:  Location of Stewardship Easement, (LCD 8/05).  The map shows the location of fee title acquisitions and conservation easements acquired by the County from 7/1/03 - 7/1/05.

There was general discussion regarding the funding source and the matching grant.  Further discussion focused on the wetland parcel which has been targeted for acquisition.

The Committee will be kept informed of the grant status and will be offered the opportunity to accept or reject the grant in the event that this application is approved.

Item #3 - Review Application for County Stewardship Fund Matching Grant; Cherrier Acquisition Phase I; T28N, R8W, Section 21, 16.

M. Dahlby reported that the Land Conservation Dept. had received an application from the Chippewa Valley Chapter of Pheasants Forever for a local matching grant through the Chippewa County Stewardship Program.

The Department has reviewed the application and has determined that it meets the standing requirements and annual (Year 2005) criteria as previously established by the LCC.

M. Dahlby distributed and the Committee reviewed the following material:

1.         Handout titled:  Chippewa County Stewardship Grant Program Annual Criteria for Evaluating and Selecting Projects, Year 2004.  The handout outlines the 2004-2005 grant criteria to be considered when applications are received for Stewardship funding.

2.         Map titled:  Chippewa Valley Pheasants Forever, Cherrier Acquisition I, (LCD 8/05).  The map shows the location of a 56 acre conservation acquisition in T28N, R8W, Section 16 & 21, Chippewa County (Cherrier property).

3.         Handout titled:  Pheasants Forever, Inc., Cherrier Acquisition I.  The handout is a project budget which shows the appraised value of the property, acquisition costs, the amount of funds requested, and the source of the local match used to meet County grant requirements.  The project budget is as follows:

                                                                                        Appraised Fair Market Value                             $78,400.00

                                                                                        Misc. Acquisition Expenses                                $     300.00

                                                                                        Total Project Cost                                          $78,700.00

 

                                                                                        Pheasants Forever, Inc.                         $39,500.00

                                                                                        Contribution                                                   (50%)*

 

                                                                                        County Grant                                                    $39,200.00

                                                                                        Contribution                                                   (50%)*

            *Percentage of total project costs. 

M. Dahlby introduced D. Carlson, representing Pheasants Forever.  D. Carlson:

1.         Provided a general overview of the purpose of the organization and the environmental and education opportunities their organization has provided to the area. 

2.         Provided a detailed explanation of the project.

There was general discussion regarding the proposal.  Discussion focused on public access, public use, and management of the property.

Motion to award a $39,200 grant to Pheasants Forever, Inc., as administered through the Chippewa County Stewardship Fund Year 2005 grant cycle, for the purpose of implementing the Cherrier Acquisition I project, as proposed: Dahl/Willkom.  Motion carried.

Item #4 - Review Draft CREP Amendment Between DATCP & Chippewa County to Add Project Area.

M. Dahlby distributed and the Committee reviewed a table titled:  Summary of Anticipated Amendment to CREP Contract Between DATCP and Chippewa County, (8/18/05)   The table outlines the current contract and anticipated amendments to the existing Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) contract as follows:

	Current Contract	Anticipated Amendments
Contract Timeframe	2/17/04 - 4/15/08	No Change
Spending Authority	$2,300,000 (amt. used = $1,199,345.81)	No Change
Staff Support	No State funding for staff.	No Change
Roles & Responsibilities	Provide staff & necessary support costs up to a maximum commitment determined by the County. Representing DATCP in Chippewa County by: •Developing agreements (15 year & perpetual). •Administer cost-share payment process (request payment from State & distribute to participants). •Hold perpetual conservation easements. •Records retention.	No Change
Program Area	Wheaton, Hallie, Lafayette, Sigel, Edson (West 1/3), Howard, Tilden, Anson, Goetz, Delmar, Cooks Valley, Woodmohr, Arthur, Colburn, Auburn, Bloomer, Estella, Ruby (South 1/3)	Keep existing area and add: Edson (East 2/3), Eagle Point, Cleveland, Sampson, Birch Creek.