Meeting convened at 8:45 AM

Meeting Facilitator: John DuPlissis

Partners Present: Tom Jerow, John DuPlissis, Ron Dickerell, Bill Ebert, George Rogers, George Bartels, Scot Ironsides, Greg Lowe, Tom Koren, Harold Stewart, Ron Lyman, Denise Kilkenny-Tittle, Bernie McCaffery, Eric Nelson, Bob Morris, Arvid Haugen, Kris Wimme, Dean Kaatz, Tom Lauer, Peter Manley, Keith Marquardt, Gavin Pfeiffer

I. Welcome/Agenda Review – The group met at the Town of Monroe Town Hall in Adams County.

II. Agenda Repair 
· Shawn Puzen with WPS was unable to attend and give his presentation on the Barriers Islands Project proposed on Petenwell Flowage.

· Denise Kilkenny-Tittle with the Wisconsin Groundwater Guardian Program in the Central Wisconsin River Basin filled Mr. Puzen time slot with a presentation on the importance of the national and local Groundwater Guardian Programs. 

III. Introduction of New Basin Educator / Partnership Discussion

John DuPlissis introduced Kris Wimme who will be taking over the position of Central Wisconsin Basin Educator starting August 15th. 

Tom Jerow’s discussed of the Central Wisconsin Basin Partnership.

IV. Barrier Islands Project

Scot Ironsides, Fisheries Biologist with the Department of Natural Resources, started with a brief discussion on the history of the Barrier Islands concept. Mr. Ironside noted that the Army Corp. of Engineers is currently interested in the project now that the legislation has modified the Wisconsin administrative code to allow barrier projects on major bodies of water throughout Wisconsin. Currently the Army Corp. of Engineers has stated they have the funding and are willing to cost share part of the Barrier Islands project proposed for the Petenwell Flowage.

Since WPS currently owns the bed of the Petenwell Flowage, it would be WPS’s responsibility to fill out the proper applications for DNR and Army Corp. permits. Tom Jerow with the WDNR stated that there would be very little conflict of interest with approving the applications since the Barrier Islands would be state owned property and would benefit the fish habitat reef development of the Petenwell Flowage.

With the FERC re-licensing of WPS for the operations/control of dams on the Wisconsin River, WPS is required to develop an erosion control plan for Petenwell Flowage. The partnership, Petenwell – Castlerock Property Owners Association along with the WDNR would like to see a Barrier Islands Project incorporated in WPS’s erosion control plan, which overall would reduce the amount of erosion occurring in and around the Petenwell Flowage. 

VI. Working Group Reports

Plover River: The Plover River Alliance is still waiting for a model conservation easement to be developed and approved by the Wisconsin DNR before actual easements can be purchased. The model conservation easement tentatively could be completed by July 26, 2002. The Plover River Alliance / Community Foundation of Portage County will be having a Plover River Awareness Day to observe the Plover River and to commemorate the community members for maintaining and preserving the Plover River to it’s unspoiled state. The event will be held on in September 14th, @ Iverson Park in Stevens Point from 9am to 3pm. Activities will include such events as canoeing, hiking and educational workshops, displays and handouts. 

The Plover River Alliance/Golden Sands RC&D applied for a DNR River Planning Grant to develop a model for prioritizing unique, significant and threatened riparian lands for further preservation, the grant was denied. Currently the Alliance is in the process of accessing a grant for lakeshore restoration on Jordan Pond, which is located on the Plover River.

During the Governors last vetoing session, Gov. Scott McCallum vetoed the Stewardship Funding for the Plover River. Stating that: “This requires the Department of Natural Resources to provide $250,000 from the land acquisition subprogram of the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship 2000 Program to acquire conservation easements along the Plover River in Marathon and Portage counties.

I am vetoing this section because I object to the infringement on executive branch authority to manage programs and because the provision is unnecessary. The department already has the authority to acquire conservation easements with Stewardship 2000 Program funds.”


VII. Proposed New Projects

Mill Creek: Tom Jerow with the WDNR discussed the TMDL study that was conducted on Mill Creek and how low dissolved oxygen levels were the main factor affecting the overall water quality of Mill Creek. Mr. Jerow also stated that funding to complete the TMDL study has been shaky but currently the study looks like it will have enough funding to be completed. 

Currently Golden Sands RC&D has been helping to develop a Mill Creek watershed organization and has currently held a public meeting to establish a mission statement along with goals and objectives to guide the organization. The meeting helped the Mill Creek watershed organization to develop a list of priorities and develop a timeline for various projects and tasks they would like to see completed. The Mill Creek Steering Committee and Golden Sands RC& D are working to develop an interest group that would be interested in removing the windfalls from Mill Creek making it navigable for canoes. 

Invasive Plants: The Central Wisconsin Group of the Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin is forming under the assistance of Michael Engel who is with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The next meeting of the USFWS Private Lands Committee out of Madison is going to be held at the Wausau Service Center on July 29th, 2002. Mike Engel will be the main contact for both the Central Wisconsin Invasive Plants Group and the Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin. For more information you may contact Mr. Engel @ (608) 221-1206 Ext. 21


VIII Presentation on the Groundwater Guardians Program of Wisconsin

Denise Kilkenny-Tittle, Coordinator of the Wisconsin Groundwater Guardian program, discussed the program and encouraged participation to help protect the groundwater resource. One illustration showed that over 15% of private wells tested in the Central Wisconsin River Basin exceed the safe drinking water standard set by the EPA for nitrate. Groundwater Guardian (GG) is a national program, which connects and recognizes communities that take action to protect groundwater and educate the public about groundwater. The GG program is sponsored by the Groundwater Foundation based in Lincoln, Nebraska. The intent of the Wisconsin GG program is to develop a statewide, grassroots-type groundwater awareness and protection effort at the local level. GG communities consist of volunteers who implement activities that will help protect the community's groundwater resource. Currently there are seven GG communities in Wisconsin. Through greater involvement and increased community support, addressing our groundwater concerns and problems on a larger scale can become a reality. To find out more on how Groundwater Guardians can benefit your community or to join contact:

Denise Kilkenny-Tittle, Program Coordinator
Central Wisconsin Groundwater Center
College of Natural Resources, Room 224
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: 715-346-2722
Fax: 715-346-2965
Email: dkilkenn@uwsp.edu
www.uwsp.edu/cnr/gwguardian


IX Field Trip on the Petenwell Flowage to look at proposed sites for the Barrier Islands Project

After lunch at the Lure Bar on the shores of the Petenwell Flowage, the members then boarded pontoon boats to view possible locations for Barrier Islands in and along the shorelines of the Petenwell Flowage. The trip lasted approximately two hours and was enjoyed by all.

* The next meeting is tentatively scheduled at the Wood County Courthouse Auditorium, 400 Market Street, Wisconsin Rapids on Wednesday, October 16th, 2002. The meeting time may change to the afternoon allowing WPS to attend and give their insight on the Barrier Islands Project for the Petenwell Flowage.