Wood County Courthouse Auditorium

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Attendees: Reesa Evans, Janet Smith, Steve Courtney, Kris Wimme, Peter Manley, Ron Dickrell, Ken Godlewski, Bob Morris, Eric Nelson, Dean Kaatz, George Rogers, Dan Trainer, Mike Engel, Tom Jerow

Welcome and call to order at 9:00 a.m. by Tom Jerow

Revised agenda distributed by Kris Wimme. Minor changes from original agenda; removed Invasive Plants and inserted Little Plover River under New Project Follow-up.

Meeting minutes from July 17, 2002 were available.

Self-introductions were made by each attendee. An attendee sign-up sheet was distributed.

Working Group Reports
Plover River - George Rogers
The model conservation easement is being reviewed by an attorney. The Plover River Alliance will work with landowners to obtain conservation easements along the Plover River. Easements will be submitted to DNR for cost share funds. Jason Folstad is working on a handbook with information on assistance/funding available to landowners. Suggested that Jason send draft handbook to Tom Jerow and Steve Courtney for review on content.

Discussion on GIS capabilities within the Plover River watershed; specifically what lands may already have some type of resource plan, and what lands do not. Efforts could be concentrated on those land without any type of resource plan.

Barrier Islands - Petenwell Flowage - Tom Jerow
Several issues were discussed including: docks/piers, septic systems, 100í vs. 200í set back from shoreline, and limiting development. WPS has sent copies of management plans to DNR, Fish & Wildlife Service, and others for review. Kris read e-mail from Bill Ebert stating Golden Sands RC&D is working with conservation groups that are interested in starting on Petenwell habitat improvement soon.

There was a lengthy discussion on the discovery of zebra mussels in Nepco Lake, which flows into the Wisconsin River. Control is being proposed by WI-DNR. Potential control practices are being studied ñ with successive winter draw-downs one possible method. The impacts of zebra mussels in the Wisconsin River could be great, affecting the river ecology, paper making, power generation, and other resources.

New Project Follow-up
Mill Creek -Tom Jerow
The Friends of Mill Creek will be meeting on October 28, 2002. Ken Schreiber from WI-DNR will be making a presentation at their meeting. Ron Dickrell discussed Marshfield's storm water plan that will be fully implemented in 2004. Approximately 1/3rd of Marshfield's stormwater is discharged to Mill Creek, so the implementation of Marshfield's stormwater plan will have a positive result for Mill Creek water quality.

Little Plover River -- Tom Jerow 
The WI-DOT is looking at a potential mitigation project in the headwaters of the Little Plover River. Janet Smith from WI-DOT discussed the status of the project, as well as those who have been contacted that may have an interest in the project. Tom Jerow suggested that water consumers in the Little Plover watershed may also be interested since they are stakeholders in the Little Plover's flow and quality. There was some discussion on easements vs. outright purchase.

Presentation by Mike Engel - US Fish & Wildlife Service
Central Wisconsin Invasive Plants Group (CWIP)
Mike said this group was the result of a conference in Eau Claire several years ago on Plants out of Place. Several groups were formed in Wisconsin, but none in central Wisconsin. Mike was interested in the central Wisconsin area since his work area includes central Wisconsin. The Central Wisconsin Invasive Plants Group has had 2 meetings.

Noxious weeds are those plants that must legally be controlled. The law has basically been unsuccessful in control. Examples of noxious weeds include: Leafy spurge, Canada thistle, and field bindweed.

Nuisance weeds are those plants that can't be legally sold on a commercial basis. Examples of nuisance weeds include: purple loosestrife and multi-flora rose.

At one of the CWIP meetings, attendees discussed plants that are having negative impacts on forest, wetland, and grassland communities. Those attendees determined that garlic mustard, reed canary grass, and knapweed were the most significant invasives in forest, wetland, and grassland habitats, respectively.

The CWIP group is also working with roadside managers and crews, schools, and landscape companies to raise the awareness of invasive plants, as well as management practices that can help control the undesirable invasives.

Potential Agenda Items for Next Meeting
Kris Wimme led group in discussing possible agenda items. Ideas from the group included:
Barrier Islands and Habitat project on Petenwell
Discussion of the WI-DNR Basin Plan and a summary in layman's terms
Plover River and Plover River Grant
Little Plover River
Mill Creek
Zebra Mussels in Nepco Lake
Meeting of Board Members (Officers) to set direction for Central Wisconsin Basin Partnership.

The meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.

The purpose of this partnership is to bring diverse people and resources together to provide increased awareness of regionally important natural resource issues. The partnership facilitates and implements projects that promote ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable natural resource management