Wisconsin Association

Members Present: Greg Baneck, Greg Cleereman, Mark Jenks, Rick Mechelke, Dan O’Connell, Penny Pohle, Bryce Richardson, Brad Robole, Jean Schomisch, and Tom Sweeney

Advisors Present: Steve Fix (DATCP); Carol Holden (DNR); Kevin Erb & Andy Yencha (UWEX); Pat Murphy (NRCS); and Rebecca Bauman (WLWCA)

Due to corrections needed on the April minutes, the president recommended that both sets of minutes be held until the next meeting for approval. Minutes will be sent out to the board and attendees for review and then sent out to all members prior to board meetings.

Motion by Greg Baneck, second by Dan O’Connell to approve the treasurer’s report with a $10 correction; motion carried.

Tom Sweeney reported Diane Hanson, Shawn Stocks, Lisa Trumble, and himself would conduct the audit on June 18th.

Motion by Greg Baneck, second by Tom Sweeney that WALCE reimbursement rates reflect the State rates; motion carried. Note: previous policy is to cover 100% of out-of-state travel costs.

Motion by Greg Baneck, second by Greg Cleereman to approve $200 for the National Association of Conservation District Employees dues; motion carried.

Jean Schomisch provided an update on the WALCE funding policy. The board, at the last meeting, approved this policy. Schomisch brought it forth to the County Conservationist at their meeting in early May. Thirty-sevencounties represented voted unanimously in favor of it.

Copies of the draft white paper were distributed; comments will be taken and incorporated into a final draft.

Jean Schomisch related that Mike Dahlby, Chippewa County, is interested in being appointed to the Wisconsin Buffer Initiative Committee. The board reviewed the 2004 Non WALCE Committee appointments and made corrections to the list. This list will be printed and disbursed to the members, as well as, notifying the various committees of our appointees.

Jean Schomisch distributed listings of people who have indicated interest in serving on the WALCE Administrative, Technical, or Professional Improvement Committees.

Motion by Penny Pohle, second by Dan O’Connell to approve the following individuals to the Administration Committee; motion carried.

Motion by Tom Sweeny; second by Greg Baneck to approve the following appointments to the Technical Committee; motion carried.

Motion by Rick Mechelke; second by Greg Cleereman to approve the following appointments to the Professional Improvement Committee; motion carried.

Advisors to the WALCE Board are also invited to be on the Professional Improvement Committee.

Jean Schomisch will follow-up with letters to all the appointees, as well as, notifying other people that were interested in committees encouraging them to attend and offer to be alternates.

Steve Fix provided the DATCP update including livestock citing standards panel. DATCP is beginning the formal rule revision process for the 590 standard. The revisions to RUSLE2 should be coming out soon. In the 2005-2007 budget requests, they will try to get DNR pesticide money to augment County staffing and other initiatives. The proposal to allow counties to shift cost share dollars amongst themselves is being supported at the bureau level. More counties than anticipated wanted to join or expand existing CREP areas. Keith Foye is still working on the proposal to send in to the USDA in Washington.

Motion by Tom Sweeney, second by Greg Cleereman to approve attendance by Greg Baneck at the North Central Regional Meeting this July in Springfield, IL; motion carried.

Kevin Erb, UW Extension, gave a power point presentation on training opportunities for conservation staff. These are proposed training courses for Wisconsin Conservation Professionals, in the private and public sector. He is trying to set a $50 per day registration fee, which will include registration, lunch, break, and materials. Travel would be at your own expense. Kevin is hoping to have an on-line registration. Their core sessions are planning and agronomy. There will be pre-requisites, as well as, required courses. He will be starting these training courses this year and expects mostly private sector participation. Counties will need this information for their 2005 budget considerations.

Agency Reports

WLWCA – Indicated their latest update is contained in the Thursday Note, which was just published.

UW Extension - Andy Yencha, gave an update on MALWEG, grazing grants, basin educator opening, and the availability of rain garden kits. He has also offered to get updates on the Wisconsin Buffer Initiative and Discovery Farms.

Kevin Erb, reported the conference coming up in Ohio is going to be tracking nitrogen getting into tile lines. They are studying the preferential flow pathways of nitrogen. Manure Applicators Association is very interested in training courses as they can get a substantial discount off their insurance.

Pat Murphy, NRCS – The Conservation Security Program has selected the Lower Chippewa River Watershed. They will focus on cropland and grassland practices. Selection was done nationally. Training will be in June and sign up the last three weeks of July. He also provided updates on the technical service providers, EQIP, contribution agreements, local EQIP, and animal waste rankings. Applications are due by June 15^th.

Carol Holden, DNR – Update included storm water discharge permits, animal feeding operations, changes to Chapter 30 due to the Job Creation Act, shoreland management, groundwater bill, NR151 implementation, TRIM, and urban storm water grants. She also announced that Gordon Stevenson has accepted the position as chief of the run-off management section. Chuck Ledin is heading the new office of great lakes in the water division.

The scholarship application from Steve Bradley was considered. Motion by Greg Cleereman, second by Rick Mechelke to approve the scholarship for $300 to attend the Soil and Water Conservation Association, meeting July 2004 in St. Paul, MN; motion carried.

Bruce Olson, who serves on the Standards Oversight Committee, had sent a letter to the board with his SOC Report, as well as, some information regarding the SOC Coordinator’s salary and benefits. This letter was received as informational only. The person is supervised by Rebecca Bauman and is paid by three agencies that contribute to the project.

Penny Pohle asked if the WALCE policy book could be a future agenda item. The draft should be sent to each of the Standing Committees to check if something relevant is in it for them, and then be brought back to the board.

Rich Mechelke asked to clarify the process that will be used for dealing with minutes prior to approval. All attendees will get a draft copy. They will then be corrected and that version will be sent in the agenda packets.

Wisconsin Association

Meeting Minutes - Thursday, May 20, 2004

Wisconsin Dells, WI

Agency Reports