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206 Court Street Chilton, WI 53014 Office: (920) 849-1442 Toll Free: (833) 620-2730 Fax: (920) 849-1481 Land and Water Conservation www.calumetcounty.org CALUMET COUNTY LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE THESE MINUTES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED Date: October 1, 2026 Time: 10:30 a.m. Location: Calumet County Courthouse, Room 015 1. Meeting Announcement and Posting The meeting was properly announced and posted. Chair Hofberger called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m. 2. Roll Call Committee Members Present: Hofberger, Kesler, Hansen, McCann, Wayne, Lowey Staff Members Present (All/Part): Reali, Bonlander Others Present (All/Part): Brian Maedke Hansen arrived at 10:31 a.m. 3. Pledge of Allegiance The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all present. 4. Approval of Agenda Motion by Kesler and seconded by Wayne to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. 5. Approval of Minutes from September 3, 2026 Committee Meeting Motion made by Lowey and seconded by Kesler to approve the minutes from the September 3, 2026 Committee Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. 6. Public Participation (if requested by Committee Chair) None requested. 7. Agency and Association Reports • Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Report; if in attendance No representative was in attendance. • Glacierland Resource, Conservation & Development Report; if in attendance Hofberger provided a brief update on employment openings available within Glacierland RC&D. 8. Communications • Land & Water Monthly; September 2026 Reali gave a brief overview of the September 2026 issue of Land & Water Monthly. 9. Items for Action or Discussion • Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program (WDACP); Brian Maedke; Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Maedke from the USDA-APHIS provided an overview of the program. He noted that funding is derived from hunting licenses. New committee members were introduced to Maedke. • 2027 Preliminary WDACP Budget Approval/Denial – Action Needed Maedke presented the WDACP budget for 2027. Motion by McCann and seconded by Hansen to approve the 2027 budget. Motion carried unanimously. • 2026 WDACP Crop Prices Approval/Denial – Action Needed Maedke presented an overview of the 2026 crop prices. A discussion followed. Motion made by Hansen and seconded by Kesler to increase corn to $4.75 a bushel. Motion carried unanimously. Motion made by McCann and seconded by Lowey to approve the remaining prices as listed. Motion carried unanimously. • 2027 Deer Donation Program Participation Approval/Denial – Action Needed Maedke indicated that Hickory Hills Country Meats would be working with Calumet County for deer donation processing again for 2027. Motion made by Hansen and seconded by Lowey to approve participation in the Deer Donation Program for 2027. Motion carried unanimously. • 2026 WDACP Enrollees Update Maedke updated the committee on the Wildlife Damage Abatement enrollees. • Resolution Authorizing A Surface Water Grant Application for Calumet County – Action Needed Reali requested authorization to apply for a Wisconsin DNR surface water grant for a stream bank restoration project on Schmidt Road in the Village of Harrison. The project targets an eroding tributary of Kankapot Creek that is contributing significant sediment runoff. The estimated project cost is $75,000, and the department is seeking a $50,000 grant. Motion by Lowey and seconded by Wayne to authorize the Surface Water Grant Application. Motion carried unanimously. • Strategic Planning Initiatives 2026-2027 Reali briefed the committee on the Strategic Plan Trends/Updates/Goals. Discussion followed. • 2027 Land & Water Conservation Department Budget Reali led a discussion regarding the upcoming 2027 department budget. Discussion followed. • Approve Attendance at County Conservationist Meeting; October 15 & 16; Wausau – Action Needed Motion made by Kesler and seconded by McCann to authorize attendance. Motion carried unanimously. 10. Report of the Department • Staff Reports on activities over the past month Reali summarized activities over the past month. Bonlander updated the committee with her activities over the past month. • Conservation Technicians 1. Practice planning, design and project management – identification of funding sources 2. Waste storage permitting coordination with WI DNR and NRCS 3. 2027 Tree Sale preparations • Land Resource Specialist 1. Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program perpetual easement reviews 2. Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance equipment purchase program ranking 3. Cover crop cost-share and equipment purchase program assistance • Water Resource Specialist 1. Killsnake River nutrient sampling and fish survey 2. Groundwater Education Night – October 7, 6 p.m. 3. Stony Brook Events • Erosion Control & Stormwater Specialist 1. Surface water grant pre-application 2. Construction project close-out 3. Stormwater program plan review and inspections • Program Specialist 1. 2nd floor remodel planning 2. 2nd floor construction way finders 11. Report of Committee Members • Hofberger reported on attending the Wisconsin County association conference specially highlighting a session regarding PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances). • Lowey noted that he thoroughly enjoyed the demonstration at the previous meeting. 12. Set Next Meeting Date • November 5, 2026; 10:30 a.m. 13. Consideration of Additional Agenda Items for the next Committee Meeting • Hofberger would like to know what projects are being requested from the community. 14. Adjourn Hofberger adjourned the meeting at 11:57 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer Bonlander, Recorder