Agenda w/ attachments

September 10, 2026 AGENDA CONTINUES (PAGE 1 OF 2) DOUGLAS COUNTY LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 10:00 a.m. Government Center Boardroom 201, 1316 North 14th Street, Superior, WI 54880 www.microsoft.com/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting | Meeting ID: 226 843 630 656 | Passcode: YQGzkH Or call-in: 1 872-242-8028 | ID: 448 114 306# Pleas e call the Chair or County Clerk’s Office (715-395-1483) if you are unable to attend. MEMBER S: Sue Hendrickson, Chair Vacant Lee Sandok Baker Jim Soyring Terry White Amy Eliot A G E N D A V irtual attendance available to public; committee members must attend in- person to constitute a quorum and/or vote. Committee to maintain a two-hour meeting limit or take action to continue meeting beyond that time. All action items include attachments unless noted. 1. ROLL CALL 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. July 21, 2026 * 3. ACTION ITEMS a. Land Conservation Department budget b. Wildlife Damage Abatement Budget Approval 2026-2027 4. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS a. Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program update 1) Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program YTD report 2) Wildlife Services updates b. Surface Waters Program Update (to be distributed) c. Agricultural Technician Update * 1) Nutrient Management 2) Farmland Preservation 3) No-till Rental Program 4) Grazing Planning d. Conservationist Update 1) Environmental Reserve Fund Project Updates 2) Knotweed Treatment Updates e. Conservation Engineering Update* f. Environmental Reserve Fund balance* g. 2026 Polk County Conservation Tour Video AGENDA COMPLETE (PAGE 2 OF 2) 5. STAFF UPDATES 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 7. ADJOURNMENT *Attachment included Notice is hereby given that a majority of the members of the Douglas County Board of Supervisors may be present at the meeting, and although this may constitute a quorum of the County Board of Supervisors, the County Board will not take any action at this meeting. cc: County Board Supervisors Other interested parties NOTE: Agenda and attachments available on www.douglascountywi.gov or in County Clerk's Office. Action may be taken on any item on the agenda. The County of Douglas complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you are in need of accommodation to participate in the public meeting process, please contact the Douglas County Clerk's Office at (715) 395-1341 by 4:00 p.m. on the day prior to the scheduled meeting. Douglas County will attempt to accommodate any request. TDD (715) 395-7521. This meeting will be recorded. By attending, you acknowledge that your image, voice, or comments may be captured on a public recording and made available to the public. Allowing public comment at committee meetings and the length of time for comments is at the discretion of the Committee Chair. (Resolution #38- 24) Posted: Courthouse, Government Center, Superior Telegram, and Superior Public Library ______________________________________________________ Name Date 09/10/2026 Land and Water Conservation Committee 7/21/26 Page 1 of 2 DOUGLAS COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Tuesday, July 21, 2026, 10:00 a.m. 1316 N. 14th Street, Government Center Boardroom 201, Superior, WI 54880 Meeti ng called to order by Chair Sue Hendrickson. 1. ROL L CALL Pr esent – Sue Hendrickson, Wendy Bong, Lee Sandok Baker, Terry White, Amy Eliot. Absent – Jim Soyring. Others present – Mark Liebaert, Elijah Hoffman , Cole Koffron, Jim Paine, Lynn Wohlwend, Zach Stewart (Virtual), Lindsey Conley (virtual) , Michael Miller (virtual) , Kaci Lundgren (virtual), Lexi Klasen ( Committee Clerk). 2. APP ROVAL OF MINUTES Moti on by Bong, second Sandok Baker, to approve minutes from the May 12, 2026, meeting. Motion carried. 3. ACTI ON ITEMS a. 2026 S urface Water Grant Resolution: Annual required resolution authorizing Land Conservationist to apply for Aquatic Invasive Species grants for the Surface Waters program. ACTI ON (RESOLUTION): Motion by White, second Bong, to approve resolution and refer to County Board. Motion carried unanimously. 4. INF ORMATIONAL ITEMS a. Su rface Waters Program Update: Stewart provided updates included in the agenda, including Water Wise recreation event, Surface Water grant updates, and volunteer event removing yellow flag iris. b. A gricultural Technician Update: Hoffman provided updates, including grant funding and budget updates, new nutrient management plans , new farmland preservation acreage, the no- till dril l program, and farmer education within the community. c. Co nservation Update: Hoffman provided updates including Lake Avenue pollinator planting, progress on the r eclamation of Douglas County Wildlife Area gravel pit, Soil and Water Resource Grant projects as well as other conservation projects . Prospective future projects include black ash underplanting and wetland restoration. d. C onservation Engineering Update: Cole Koffron introduced as new Conservation Engineer ing Technician, provided background. e. En vironmental Reserve Fund balance: Hoffman reviewed balances; included in agenda. f. Im plications of data centers on water and environment: Sandok Baker raised concerns about potential development of data centers in Douglas County. County Board Chair Liebaert spoke regarding land that would have to be rezoned for data center and concerns about creating a moratorium at this time. Liebaert suggested that committee develop list of environmental concerns that should be addressed before considering development of data centers. Data center size, potential placement, and cooling methods discussed. Mayor Paine provided information about data centers and moratoriums discussed at City Council. 5. ST AFF UPDATES None. 6. FUT URE AGENDA ITEMS None . RETURN TO AGENDA Land and Water Conservation Committee 7/21/26 Page 2 of 2 7. ADJOURNMENT Moti on by Bong, second White, to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m. Sub mitted by, Lexi Klasen Committee Clerk Land Conseivatlon 2027 Proposed Budget Object 2023 2024 2025 2026 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 Account �BUCatCode01:010 Actual Actual Actual Actual Budget Budget Budget Budget Budget Chan!i!e %Change [4100.4199] TAXES 0.00% (4300.4999] REVENUES (300,892) (284,846) (285,446) 158.621 (274,226) (300,493) (299,211) (360,392) (387,165) (26,773) 7.43% [5100.5199] SALARIES 238,728 241,425 268,753 127,641 239,934 252,767 261,263 276,094 324,449 48,355 17.51% [5200.5299] CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 63.489 94,246 86,285 19,757 57,885 102,284 97,900 118,450 113,400 (5,050) -4.26% (5300.5399] OFFICE SUPPLIES 15,221 15,448 19,624 8,042 11,068 17,480 17,042 17,042 15,436 (1,606) -9.42% [5500.5599) FIXED CHARGES 1,597 2,238 2,037 2,988 1,500 1,700 2,350 2,200 3,200 1,000 45.45% [5700,5799) GRANTS 1,124 500 8,109 12,000 13,500 1,500 12.50% [5800.58991 CAPITAL OUTLAYS 39,421 0.00% [5900.5999] DEPARTMENT ALLOCATIONS 3,789 3,185 3,563 1,752 4,000 4,000 4,000 3,500 3,500 0.00% 62,476 71,696 95 318 318,800 40 161 77738 91 453 68 894 86 320 17,426 25.29% RETURN TO AGENDA 27 7255 0044 RA page 1 of 2 B.P. 2027 WBS: AP.RA.RX55.72.4120 Cost Element Price Charged to Cooperator, paid to APHIS WS Additional WDNR Funding Requested By Cooperator (County is reimbursed directly from WDNR) Cost Shared by WS Full Cost Salaries (includes venison donation administration) $14,201.16 $0.00 $2,031.64 $16,232.80 Abatement Materials (includes temp fence, repellant, bear abatement, other abatement) $3,600.00 $0.00 $0.00 3,600.00$ Mileage/Travel/Services $1,975.85 $1,975.85 Subtotal Direct Costs $19,777.01 $0.00 $2,031.64 $21,808.65 Pooled job costs (ex, vehicle usage, etc) $2,175.47 $0.00 na $2,175.47 Deer Donation Processing na $4,000.00 na $4,000.00 County Administration na $1,340.00 na $1,340.00 Indirect Costs (Administrative Overhead) $3,193.99 $0.00 na $3,193.99 Permanent Fence na $0.00 na $0.00 Agreement Total $25,146.47 $5,340.00 $2,031.64 $32,518.11 The distribution of the budget (with the exception of the mandatory percentage line items) from this Financial Plan may vary as necessary to accomplish the purpose of this agreement, but may not exceed: We expect to assist 3 growers with damage that may result in wildlife damage requests equaling or exceeding $1,200 worth of claims. Signatures of Intention: COUNTY: _________________________________________________________________ Date: _____________________________ WDNR: _________________________________________________________________ Date: _____________________________ USDA-APHIS-WS: __________________________________________________________ Date: _____________________________ Section *V - COUNTY BUDGET/FINANCIAL PLAN - required by all Parties Douglas County (Cooperator) $30,486.47 RETURN TO AGENDA Section IV. - County Budget - Required by all Parties Page 2 of 2 Approved amount to be provided by: County Request County Admin USDA-WS Funding Approved WDNR Funding Approved Total Funding Approved Salaries (includes County Admin) $15,191.16 $1,340.00 $2,031.64 $15,191.16 $17,222.80 Mileage/Travel/Services $4,151.32 $0.00 $4,151.32 $4,151.32 Office Overhead $3,193.99 $0.00 $3,193.99 $3,193.99 Permanent Fencing $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Temporary Fencing $3,060.00 $0.00 $3,060.00 $3,060.00 Bear Abatement Repellant $180.00 $180.00 $180.00 Other Abatement $360.00 $360.00 $360.00 Venison Admin $350.00 $0.00 $350.00 $350.00 Venison Processing $4,000.00 $4,000.00 $4,000.00 Total $30,486.47 $2,031.64 $30,486.47 $32,518.11 The distribution of the budget (with the exception of the mandatory percentage line items) from this Financial Plan may vary as necessary to accomplish the purpose of this agreement, but may not exceed: Signatures of Intention: COUNTY: _________________________________________________________________Date: _____________________________ WDNR: _________________________________________________________________Date: _____________________________ USDA-APHIS-WS: __________________________________________________________Date: _____________________________ We expect to assist 3 growers with damage that may result in wildlife damage requests equaling or exceeding $1,200 worth of claims. 2027 Douglas County Budget $30,486.47 Tim Mika Agricultural Technician servicing Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and Iron County September 10th , 2026 Nut rient Management- A Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) outlines the amounts, timing, locations, methods, and other aspects of manure and fertilizer applications and combines that information with soil sampling data, crop rotations, and tillage practices to ensure compliance with Soil Loss and Phosphorus NR.151 standards. • New/Potential New Plans: o Fred Faye – Bayfield County o Scott Froemming – Ashland County; soil tests taking, waiting for results. o Taylor Nykanen – Douglas County o Larry Elkhom – Bayfield County; soil tests done, waiting for results. o Darrin Mika – Bayfield County – soil tests complete and results returned, waiting to sit down with Darrin to complete plan. o Jeff Susienka – Bayfield County o Paul Mika – Ashland County • Update Plans: o Ed Redinger – Ashland County (completed) o Luke Schraufnagel – Ashland/Bayfield; soil tests completed and results returned. Need to meet with Luke to complete update. o Dustin Soyring – Douglas County; soil tests completed and results returned. Need to meet with Dustin to complete update. o Shannon Thomas/Bill Pearce – Ashland County; maps built, need to get soil test bags for testing. o Katie Dewitt (completed) o Ron Becker – Bayfield County; new land soil tested and soil tests returned and completed. Waiting for water test kit for new watering source. o Tim Netz – Bayfield County – Working with Tim for grazing plan and will incorporate NMP into plan. o Todd Berwerger – Ashland County; need to meet with Todd and build maps in SnapPlusV3. • Completed Plans paid in 2026 o Thomas Davies – Bayfield County o Martin Skaj – Bayfield County o Josh Pearson – Bayfield County • Opportunities for more cover crops cost-share o Luke Schraufnagel is planted some oats and winter wheat. Need to take pics in fields after germination. • 2026 funding is basically spent for each county RETURN TO AGENDA Tim Mika Tim.Mika@AshlandCountyWI.GOV 715-685-8100 o Based on farmers competing soil testing and SnapPlus inputs o SnapPlus V2 will no longer work properly after June 2027. Plan will still transfer over to V3 but 590 checklists will need to be generated in SnapPlus V3 after June 2027. Farmland Preservation- Farmers that fall within an Agriculture Enterprise Area can sign agreements through the county to guarantee their land will remain in Agricultural production for at least 10 years and will remain compliant with state soil and water health standards. In return, they receive a yearly tax credit of $10 per acre. • No new plans to report • Sent letters to Tom Kriskovich, Bob Riemer and Steven Spickerman regarding 590 compliance and soil tests for Farmland Preservation. • MaryJo and I met with DATCP for 4 year check-in about Farmland Preservation compliance. No-till Rental Program- the Ashland County Land and Water Conservation Department rents out a Truax No-till drill to farmers in the Four-County Region. The no-till drill is designed to protect soil and water resources, and may reduce costs while increasing efficiency when compared to conventional tillage and seeding. The drill can handle a variety of seeds including small grains, clover, alfalfa, soybeans, forage grasses, and native prairie species. It has three seed boxes (1 small, 1 native seed, and 1 large seed). The drill requires a 50hp tractor or larger. Current user lists and acres for 2026 • Daryl Jolma – 66.7 Ashland County • Randy Scribner – 5.1 Ashland County • Max Jolma - 14 Ashland County • Ryan Jolma – 4.5 Ashland County • Bradon Stegmann – 4.5 Bayfield County The user fee have been updated to include $100 fee for food plot use 120 postcards were sent out to producers who have used the no-till in the past to encourage use this fall. Grazing Planning – Farmers that are looking to move from row crops, continuously grazed land or would like to expand their current grazing model into a rotationally grazed model that promotes soil and water health will benefit. Pastures are separated into smaller areas in order to accommodate a 3 day move with 8” residual left after each move. Grazing plans help farmers know if their grazing land can accommodate the amount of cattle they hope to graze (stocking rate). • Shannon Pearce – Ashland County • Tim Netz – Bayfield County • Jon Dennis – Iron County Other: • Two field days were held so far this summer. Douglas County, Dairy Days event in June and Moonlight Meadows Farm in Ashland County in August. Events focus on NRCS cost- Tim Mika Agricultural Technician servicing Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and Iron County September 10th , 2026 share opportunities, Nutrient Management, No-Till, Farmland Preservation and grazing. The next field day is in Iron County on September 19th at John Dennis’s farm and the last field day is in Bayfield County in October at Josh Pearson’s farm. The focus on the Bayfield County field day will be bale grazing in winter. Douglas County, Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Department 1313 Belknap Street, Room 206 Superior, WI 54880 (715) 395-1380 LWCD@DouglasCountyWI.gov www.DouglasCountyWI.gov Sta ff Report – Cole Koffron, Conservation Engineering Technician Land and Water Conservation Department 09/10/2026 Agr icultural Programs • Project Planning and Design: o Began one project with a new beef producer to improve his beef operation and reduce water contamination  Met to discuss goals and applicable conservation practices  Conduced several surveys for engineering design  Working on a construction plan for stream crossings, fenceline, and waterline o Working to meet with one beef producer for waterline and exclusion fencing • Project Implementation and Construction Supervision: o Soyring – Well and Waterline  Met to discuss status of project  Working to find additional contractors or explore alternative solutions o Gould – Waterline  Met to discuss status of project  Waiting on contractor to complete the project o Williams – Fenceline  Me to discuss status of project  Went out to inspect final construction and complete As-Built  As-Built sent to DATCP for project approval then reimbursement RETURN TO AGENDA Wildlife Initiatives • Assisted Elijah with the Solon Springs project, working to design a walkway, drainage, and some shaping/grading to stabilize and beautify the site • Met with landowners in Lakeside to give advice on wetland restoration and prairie planting • Met with a member of Brule River Township to discuss erosion along the Brule River and US Highway-2, next steps will be to assemble a meeting of stakeholders Miscellaneous • Attended Polk County Field Day • Attended the quarterly Harbor Area Technical Committee Meeting • Attended the annual Nutrient Management Regional Meeting Thank you for your time, Cole Koffron, SSSA-APSS Conservation Engineering Technician Land & Water Conservation Douglas County, WI 1313 Belknap St., Room 206 Superior, WI 54880 Office: 715-395-7266 www.douglascountywi.gov 61394.1113.25 Date NBC - MM Land Conservation Beginning Balance $74,050.13 2026 LC MM Jan Interest 182.38 LC MM Feb Interest 165.15 3/3/2026 Transfer Environmental Reserve Fund Expense (909.00) LC MM Mar Interest 181.15 3/10/2026 LC CD Interest LC MM Apr Interest 175.59 LC MM May Interest 181.88 LC MM June Interest 176.45 6/10/206 LC CD Interest Ending Balance 74,203.73 Current Balance difference LAND CONSERVATI CD Renewed 04/10/2027 adding int to RETURN TO AGENDA 61394.1113.32 61394.4811.32 61394.4811 NBC - CD Interest Income - CD Interest Income - MM Land Conservation Land Conservation Land Conservation $280,057.29 $0.00 $0.00 182.38 165.15 181.15 2,886.51 2,886.51 175.59 181.88 176.45 2,981.06 2,986.06 285,924.86 5,872.57 1,062.60 ION o CD 3 months