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August 16, 1999

TIME:
9 am to Noon
Monday, August 16, 1999

PLACE:
Public Agency Center, Room 1113
333 E. Washington Street
West Bend
Host: Steve Seyfert

AGENDA:

1. Welcome and Introductions
   Steve Seyfert, Citizen Co-Chair

2. Current Issues & Opportunities
   

3. Discuss Whether the Partners Will Take Positions on Issues

4. Report on Henry Aaron State Trail
   Melissa Cook, DNR Regional State Trail Coordinator

5. Education and Information Work Group Report
   Carolyn Johnson, UW-Extension

6. Partnership Agreement Distribution Work Group Report
   Steve Seyfert, Ozaukee-Washington Land Trust

7. Discuss Next Meeting
   Proposed time & place:

   September 28, 1999
   9 am to Noon
   Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
   260 W. Seeboth Street, Milwaukee
   Host: Angie Tornes

8. Public Comments
   
   

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August 16, 1999

Attendance:
Bob Boucher - Friends of the Menomonee River
Buffy Cheek - Schlitz Audubon Center
Sharon Gayan - Wis. Department of Natural Resources
Andy Holschbach - Ozaukee Co. Land Conservation Department
Allen Hron - West Bend Chamber of Commerce
Carolyn Johnson - U.W. Extension
Dan Lynch - NRCS District Conservationist
Steve Seyfert - Ozaukee - Washington Land Trust
Dave Schlling - Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission
Walter Schmitt - Conrad Technologies
Angie Tornes - National Park Service
Frank Trcka - Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Don Voith - Mayor, City of Glendale

Absent:
Kenneth Albinger - Ozaukee County Farm Bureau
Kevin Dittmar - Wisconsin Board of Realtors & Milwaukee Builders Assoc.
David Fowler - Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District
Gary Buntrock - Wisconsin Wastewater Operators Association
Bill Hanbury - Greater Milwaukee Convention & Visitor Bureau
Jim Hess - Wisconsin Woodlands Owners Association
Marlene Johnson-City of Milwaukee Alderperson - District 6
Ted Lind - Milwaukee County Conservation Alliance
Jim Lubner - U.W. Sea Grant Institute
Peter McAvoy - 16th Street Community Health Center
Sheldon Myerchin - U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Rod Pfeiffer - Wisconsin Well Water Association
Dan Stoffel - Washington County Land Conservation Committee/Farmer
Claire Vanderslice - Wisconsin Conservation Congress
Bill Waldron - Milwaukee County Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture

Guests:
Melissa Cook - DNR - Regional State Trail Coordinator
Craig Helker - DNR - SE Region Permit Coordinator

1. Welcome and Introductions
   The August 16th, 1999 meeting of the Milwaukee River Basin Land & Water Partners was held at the Public Agency Center in West Bend. Steve Seyfert, serving as host, opened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. Guests were introduced.

2. Current Issues and Opportunities

   • Frank Trcka provided recap and background of the "North Branch Feasibility Study", which was the subject of an article appearing in the August 15th edition of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. The Feasibility Study, led by Department employees Dale Katsma and Theresa Gripentrog, considers the acquisition of up to 2100 acres in the North Branch Watershed. Public Informational meetings on the acquisition will be held in September and October. Frank indicated that the use of Stewardship dollars for the land acquisition would be considered in the September Senate meeting, with actual acquisition coming no sooner than 2001.

   • Bob Boucher inquired into the status of the Department's acquisition of 160,000 acres in Northern Wisconsin. Frank Trcka that he was unaware of the status of this proposal, but would find out and report back. Since the meeting it has been learned that the Department was out bid for the total 160,000 acres which is currently owned by the Packaging Company of America, Inc. PCA did allow the Department to bid again on the highest quality resource parcels, which total 32,000 acres. The Governor has approved this purchase for $25 million. (See Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article on this land purchase.)

   • Mayor Voith initiated discussion on Commerce 83, which would allow the use of alternative septic systems on land not previously developable with conventional systems. The main concerns expressed included impact on groundwater, lack of adequate land use planning, increased development in environmental corridors, and the Departments position in support of Commerce 83 (see attachment). Discussion of the Partners opposing Commerce 83 was moved to be delayed until the next agenda item.

   • Frank Trcka reported on the recently held meeting regarding the Mid Kettle Moraine issue. This meeting was attended by interested land and water partners from the Milwaukee, Rock and Illinois Fox Basins, to help develop a process and to identify other key partners in implementing the recommendations of the Kettle Moraine Task Force. written summary of the meeting results will be shared with the Milwaukee River Land & Water Partner Team as it becomes available. Frank will keep the team informed of future opportunities to participate in the process being designed to protect the mid-Kettle Moraine area.

   • Bob Boucher reported that the "Friends of the Menomonee" will change names to the "Friends of Milwaukee's Rivers", with a corresponding shift in focus to cover the entire Milwaukee River Basin.

   • Bob also indicated that on September 4th, a Fun Run with the Brewers will be held. Proceeds will benefit Friends of the Menomonee. Please contact Bob for more information.

   • Bob also informed the team that on October 22, Robert Kennedy will fund raise for the Friends of the Menomonee River. Mr. Kennedy represents the Alliance of River Keepers. Please contact Bob from more information.

3. Discuss Whether the Partners Will Take Positions on Issues
   Mayor Voith initiated this discussion by suggesting that the partner team take positions that are broad in scope and impact more than the Milwaukee River Basin. This would avoid the perception that the team is only looking out for its own good. Bob Boucher indicated that local issues are also important and should not be overlooked. He suggested that part of the partner team's role is to make the local community aware of proposed actions that will have a negative impact on the basin. Andy Holshbach agreed that the team should take positions on local issues. Angie Tornes cautioned against taking positions on local issues because of the time it takes to carefully study the issues and potential impacts. Rather, we should support the goals and objectives of the partnership agreement as they pertain to individual issues. Mayor Voith agreed. Subsequent discussions led to consensus (among those partners present) that the Partner Team will take positions on issues. Various definitions of what and how those positions would be defined followed. As a result of these discussions, the partner team agreed to take positions that affirm sound ecosystem management practices, based on the Partnership mission and goals.

   Accordingly, it was agreed that three letters be drafted and disseminated for comment (via e-mail). The letters and subjects are as follows:

   • Letter addressing Commerce 83

     1. The Partners are concerned that passage of Commerce 83 will lead to destruction of natural areas by urban sprawl, with its attendant non-point runoff polluting waters of the Basin.

     2. Impact of Commerce 83 will be felt statewide.

     3. In the letter, partners would like to emphasize the importance of protecting natural lands and controlling urban sprawl through sound land use planning and associated regulations.

   • Letter addressing sale of Highland Game Park

     1. The Partners are concerned that the possible use of this land to extract gravel will adversely impact Mink Creek and surrounding natural areas.

     2. Mink Creek is a cold water sport fishery located in the Milwaukee River North Branch Watershed.

     3. In the letter, partners would like to emphasize Partnership goals of sound land use practices and protection of natural lands.

   • Letter addressing the proposed Rainbow Lake Development (see attachments)

     1. The Partners are concerned about potential impacts to lands bordering the development.

     2. The proposed high density Rainbow Lake Development in the Town of Barton bisects a primary environmental corridor and borders the Lac Lawrann Conservancy.

     3. In the letter, partners would like to emphasize Partnership goals of protecting natural lands and protection of riparian areas.

   Bob Boucher proposed a plan to "front-load" the process of meeting Partnership goals by educating local governmental units about proposed environmental corridors and natural areas needing protection. These presentations would aid local zoning decision-makers by serving as a source of reference. Tools for the presentations would include comprehensive environmental corridor and natural area maps of the Milwaukee River Basin.

4. Henry Aaron State Trail presentation by Melissa Cook
   Melissa Cook, Regional State Trail Coordinator for the DNR, provided the Team with the following update on the Henry Aaron State Trail.

   In October of 1996, the State Natural Resources Board approved a feasibility, environmental assessment, and master plan for the establishment of the Henry Aaron State Trail. The development of the Henry Aaron State Trail is currently underway along the Menomonee River in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. When completed, the trail will cover approximately six miles, starting at Lake Michigan, then linking to the Milwaukee County Park System Oak Leaf Trail at its western end. This linkage will make it possible to bike from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River, utilizing several trail systems across the state. To reach this goal, some shorter-term challenges will need to be addressed, including the construction of a bridge over the Canadian Pacific/Soo Line Railroad Yard. The bridge is projected to be completed by 2001, allowing a contiguous trail all the way from Doyne Park to 13th and Canal Street. The year 2003 will hopefully see completion of the Trail from 13th Street to the Lake Front.

5. Information & Education Work Group Report
   Carolyn Johnson reported that the Information and Education Work Group met July 28th at Havenwoods Environmental Education Center. The group has now completed work on four of the five I & E strategies. The next work group meeting is scheduled for October 5th, 9:00 to 11:30, at Havenwoods Environmental Education Center. Any member of the Partner Team is welcome to participate. Minutes from the meetings, and a complete list of work group members are attached.

6. Partnership Agreement Distribution Work Group Report
   Steve Seyfert indicated that this work group was working to finalize a list of potential partners that will be requested to sign on to the Partnership Agreement which has been developed. A letter will be drafted inviting their support and sent out to team members for review before the next meeting.

   This team is also working on the development of a logo and stationary for the partner team. A meeting has been scheduled in early September with a designer.

7. Discuss Whether the Partners Will Take Positions on Issues
   Delayed to next meeting.

8. Next Meeting
   The next meeting will be held:
   September 28, 1999, 9:00 AM to Noon
   Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, Rooms 401 & 402
   260 W. Seeboth Street
   Milwaukee
   Host: Angie Tornes, National Park Service

9. Public Comments
   A rural landowner expressed his concerns about the North Branch Feasibility Study.

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