Motion to approve CREP field plans: Dahl/Boettcher.  Motion carried.

Item #2 - Review Project Budgets; Consider Authorization to Use Non-Lapsing Funds from Account #100-52-57411 and Carry Over 2006 Funds to Update the Chippewa County Groundwater Inventory.

J.T. Jensen distributed and the Committee reviewed the following material (mailed 10/13/06).

1.         Draft project budget titled: Land Conservation Department 2007 Groundwater Inventory Project - Project Budget, (10/12/06).  The draft budget shows the anticipated line item expenses, as budgeted in Account #100-52-57411 - Groundwater Inventory, to conduct the Groundwater Inventory Project.

2.         A listing of LCC budget accounts titled:  Land Conservation Department 2007 Groundwater Inventory Project - Budget Sources, (LCD 10/12/06).  The listing outlines the account and the amount of funds which could be allocated to fund the groundwater project in 2007.  They are as follows:

Account #	Account	Description	Amount
100-52-57411	Groundwater Inventory	2005 Carryover to 2006	20,000
100-52-57410	LCD	2006 Carryover to 2007	13,000
100-52-57415	Duncan Creek	Nonlasping Funds	27,254
		TOTAL	$60,254

There was general discussion.  Discussion focused on the purpose and value of the project.  Additional discussion focused on the value of pursuing project co-sponsors to expand the utility of the project and to limit local costs.  Suggested co-sponsors are the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey and the UW System.

Motion to:

1.         Approve the 2007 Groundwater Inventory Project Budget, and

2.         Advance a request to the Finance Committee to use carryover and nonlapsing funds, as proposed , to implement the project.

Holte/Dahl.  Motion carried.

Item #3 - Review Job Description, Consider Authorization and Rate of Reimbursement for Groundwater Inventory Project Position.

J.T. Jensen distributed and the Committee reviewed a draft position description titled:  Groundwater Project Technician, Chippewa County Land Conservation Department, (10/11/06), mailed 10/13/06. 

The position will be used to plan, manage, and conduct the 2007 Chippewa County Groundwater Inventory Project.  The position is a limited term project-based position which will expire upon completion of the project.

The draft position description outlines the specifics of the position as follows:

            •Purpose of the position.

            •Duties.

            •Desired Skills, Knowledge.

            •Qualifications.

            •Hours and Rate of Pay (975 hours, $15 p/hour).

            •Deadline for Application.

There was general discussion. 

Motion to: 

1.         Approve the Groundwater Project Technician Position Description, and

2.         Authorize the filling of  the position following the County’s standard policy and procedures.

Willkom/Licht.  Motion carried.

Item #4 - Review Recommendations from the Executive Summary of the Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative Report, (8/17/06).

D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed a summary titled:  Wisconsin - Working Lands Initiative Executive Summary, (8/17/06), (mailed 10/13/06).  The summary outlines a series of recommendations by the State Working Lands Initiative Steering Committee to protect and enhance working lands in Wisconsin. 

The Steering Committee has recommended that the State:

•Update the existing Farmland Preservation Program to improve agricultural planning and zoning, increase tax credits, and improve the flexibility of local governments to administer the program.

•Create a new Working Lands Enterprise Areas program to foster clustering of active farms and slow farmland conversion, while providing incentives to promote environmental sustainability. 

•Create a new state Purchase of Development Rights grant program to permanently preserve selected properties, working in partnership with local governments and organizations.

There was general discussion.

Discussion focused on the recommendations, timeframe, and feasibility of advancing these proposals through the State legislative process. 

Further discussion focused on:

1.         The status of Farmland Preservation Program in Chippewa County, and

2.         The pending work of the Ad Hoc Study Committee, which has been appointed to study rural land use issues, agricultural zoning, and land management approaches which could be explored to protect agricultural land and operations in Chippewa County.

Item #5 - Overview of Non-Metallic Mine Reclamation Demonstration Project.

A. Heddlesten distributed and the Committee reviewed the following material:

1.         A report titled:  Summary of Non Metallic Mining (NMM) Reclamation Progress Over the Summer of 2006, (LCD 10/19/06).  The report outlines the status of the nonmetallic mining and operational permits in Chippewa County.

2.         A report titled:  Summary of Non Metallic (NMM) Reclamation Test Plot Program, (LCD 10/19/06).  The project is summarized as follows:

            Purpose

•Use test plots trials to demonstrate the various types of vegetation (grasses, shrubs, trees, and agricultural crops) which can be established on reclaimed lands.

Plot Locations	Operator	Acres
•Union Pit	Chippewa County Highway Department	0.75 acres
•Menard Pit	Mathy Construction	12 acres
•Berg Pit	Haas Sons, Inc.	10 acres
•Others pending

            Roles/Responsibilities

            LCD

            •Plan the trial plot with owner to determine species and site location.

            •Do site preparation, including soil testing and herbicide treatments.

            •Acquire planting stock and install plot.  

            •Monitor test trials.

            Operator/Landowner

            •Plan plot with LCD.

            •Do ongoing maintenance, including herbicide treatments.

            •Monitor test trials.

            •Allow periodic access by public agencies and nonmetallic mine operators to view outcome.

There was general discussion.