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Land and Water Conservation Committee 9/15/26 Page 1 of 2 DOUGLAS COUNTY LAND & WATER CONSERVATION COMMITTEE Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 10:00 a.m. 1316 N. 14th Street, Government Center Boardroom 201, Superior, WI 54880 Meeting called to order by Chair Sue Hendrickson. 1. ROLL CALL Present – Sue Hendrickson, Wendy Bong, Lee Sandok Baker, Terry White, Amy Eliot. Absent – Jim Soyring. Others present – Elijah Hoffman, Cole Koffron, Mark Liebaert, Eric Fromm, Zach Stewart (virtual), Michael Miller (virtual), Kaci Lundgren (virtual), Lexi Klasen (Committee Clerk). 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by White, second Sandok Baker, to approve minutes from the July 21, 2026, meeting. Motion carried. 3. ACTION ITEMS a. Land Conservation Department Budget: Provided in agenda. B udget similar to previous years, overall increase of 25.29% due to changes in salaries and health insurance. ACTION (REFERRAL): Motion by White, second Soyring , to approve proposed 2027 budget as presented and refer to Planning & Zoning Committee and budget session. Motion carried unanimously. b. Wildlife Damage Abatement Budget Approval 2026 -2027: Increase in budget due to increase in operating expenses and in DNR reimbursement for venison processing. ACTION: Motion by Sandok Baker, second Soyring, to approve budget as presented. Motion carried. 4. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS a. Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program update 1) Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program YTD: Fromm provided an update on the damage abatement and claims program detailing the six enrollees and incoming claims of apiary damage and damage to a silo bag. 2) Wildlife Services updates: Fromm provided an update on the Wildlife Damage program, including information on recent bear activity/ damages, wolf activity and management, and wildlife damages. b. Surface Waters Program Update: Stewart provided updates including wild rice restoration work on estuary, statewide Aquatic Invasive Species snapshot day, and Chinese Mystery Snail event picking up invasive snails. c. Agricultural Technician Update 1) Nutrient Management: Hoffman commented he is working with Agricultural Technician on getting nutrient management farmer education grant funds spent. 2) Farmland Preservation : Hoffman sent f ormal request s for people to join committee, members need to be appointed at County Board, bimonthly meetings can then commence. Northwest Regional Planning assisting with data compilation and public participation plan. 3) No-till Rental Program: Included in agenda. 4) Grazing Planning: Included in agenda. Land and Water Conservation Committee 9/15/26 Page 2 of 2 d. Conservationist Update: 1) Environmental Reserve Fund Project Updates: Hoffman provided updates including rain barrel workshop, grant to revitalize rain garden and refresh sign for rain garden in Solon Springs, Lake Avenue pollinator garden updates, and gravel pit reclamation updates. 2) Knotweed Treatment Updates: Authorized use of herbicide for knotweed in 2025, three sites received additional treatment this year, responded well to treatment and had minimal regrowth. Possible restoration in 2027. e. Conservation Engineering Update: Staff report included in agenda . Koffron highlighted project planning and design with beef producers to improve operations, continuing work on extended projects from 2025, Solon Springs rain garden project, and erosion along the Brule River. f. Environmental Reserve Fund balance: Hoffman reviewed balances; included in agenda. g. 2026 Polk County Conservation Tour Video: Reviewed. 5. STAFF UPDATES None. 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Data center information, wetland mitigation report. 7. ADJOURNMENT Motion by White, second Eliot, to adjourn. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 10:53 a.m. Submitted by, Lexi Klasen Committee Clerk