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National Park Service Headquarters, St. Croix Falls

In attendance:
John Carlson- Trout Unlimited
John Haack - UWEX Basin Educator (note taker)
Kate Hansen- National Park Service
Bob Heise – St. Croix County LWCD
Amy Kelsey- Polk County LWRD
Ruth King, DNR Nonpoint/ Stormwater
Paul Kooiker, DNR St. Croix
Lisa Lablonk, Polk County LWCD Intern
Terry Margenau– WDNR , St. Croix Fisheries
Larry Nelson, DNR
Pete Prusak, DNR St. Croix Waste Water Engineer
Jeremy Williamson – Polk County LWRD
Eric Wojchik, Burnett/Polk LWCD

Welcome and introductions:
Wild Lakes Update - Larry Nelson, DNR
The wild lakes program grew out of the larger Northern Initiative that began in 1996. The program objectives are to protect a few of the remaining undeveloped lakes either entire wild lakes or portions of wild shorelands through public ownership or conservation easement. The effort is a collaboration of agencies and non profit conservation organizations (DNR, US Forest Service, Trust for Public Lands, The Nature Conservancy, Northwoods Land Trust, West Wisconsin Land Trust, Conservation Fund, Gathering Waters and private citizens and land owners).Most DNR Wild Lake purchases are funded from the State’s Stewardship funds which are fully utilized at the present time. However, other partner’s can and have assisted with additional funding and or donations.

Larry related several recent purchases and generous donations of wild lakes. He displayed the new wild lakes poster, handed out the wild lakes booklet and highlighted planned booklet updates. The wild lakes program has a list of potential lakes that is being update this summer (UWSP student), but any wild lake maybe a possible option. If you’re aware of a wild lake available or in need of protection please contact Larry Nelson 715-635-4150.

St. Croix Dam and Fisheries Update - Terry Margenau, DNR
On April 13th, 2006 DNR signed an MOU with Excel Energy to operate the St. Croix Dam as a run of the river dam. This operational change will reduce the dramatic fluctuations in flow and better protect river life below the dam. Call Terry if you have questions or concerns. Discussion regarding the removal of the Osceola dam and DNR plans to do in stream trout habitat enhancement in the summer of 2007.

Terry also mentioned several unique fisheries in the St. Croix basin; Burnett County’s Yellow River’s self sustaining sturgeon population, Apple River’s “blue” rusty crayfish (lack of nutrient causes traditional orange pigment to be absent) and N. Fish lakes goldfish/northern pike bio-control project. DNR is will be working on a Musky paired research project comparing Leach Lake strain with Wisconsin strain in lakes across the north to address angler concerns.

Agricultural Performance Standards - Eric Wojchik, Polk/Burnett LWCD
Eric discussed the basic provisions of NR151’s Ag. Performance Standards and the shortage of required (70% state) cost share dollars for implementing these standards with local producers. Additional funds maybe available if a DNR Notice of Discharge was filed and sent to the farmer, however Ruth King noted that funding source- TRIM grant program is very limited. St. Croix and Burnett County have both signed MOUs with the DNR on NR151 and feel this agreement helps staff understand who works on various aspects of Ag. performance standard violations and NR243s / DNR’s Notice of Discharge. All present agreed the NR151 program is not an effective tool to deal with problem Ag. Sites and that most producers are unaware of the program. Counties are using other means to address Ag. Concerns they are mostly voluntary (this includes Farmer Nutrient Management Education- MALWEG grants are the only source for this at present). There was some discussion regarding counties progress with livestock inventories. St. Croix County is considering self certification for producers similar to the self cert. already done under the Farmland Preservation Program. St. Croix doesn’t look at any Ag. sites on parcels under 20 acres in size (the timeline for farms to houses on these parcels is very short). None of the counties present have done or were aware of any enforcement under the NR151 program. Polk County was able to deal with a few critical sites under the existing priority watershed program. Pete P, DNR suggested that the original drafters of the NR151 and 243 assumed the fixes to problems would be cheap, however in most instances that is not the case. He reminded folks that all new farms and all farm expansions need to meet the Ag. Performance standards without the cost sharing.

• Related issues - Priority watershed projects will end in 2010. Counties are concerned that when the watershed projects are complete- DATCAP may not reallocate the priority watershed money back to counties for implementation of county land and water plans and NR151 issues.

• A new livestock siting rule was passed May 1, 2006; counties are required to have a plan done by May 31, 2006. Wisconsin Counties Association is sponsoring a workshop on the new rule. No information on the workshop is currently posted their web site, however there is a link to information on the siting rule-see http://www.wicounties.org/

• Bob H. suggested a consideration be given to bringing a community based social marketing approach into a basin watershed to bring about the 20% nutrient reduction goal/ agreement. Dave F. asked if there is any dollars or grant available to give a project like this an extra shot in the arm. Bob H. suggested St. Croix County will see some funds from the Stillwater bridge mitigation.

• Some discussion about the St. Croix Conservation Collaborative. Kate explained the group’s primary role as a land protection group still in the forming stages. Karen Basler of Gathering Waters is facilitating and working with the group.

Updates
• Dave Ferris, Burnett County hired an Aquatic Invasives intern for the summer. The county recently instituted a Purchase of Development Rights program and a funding mechanism based on a percentage of land sales.

• Bob Heise, St. Croix County is working on defining its role and the level of county involvement with livestock siting. Bob mentioned the fall 2006 MN waters conference (Click to see link) Polk, St. Croix and Pierce Counties are working on a USGS ground water study, counties are working to define projects at this time. Bob noted that counties are anticipating significant budget cuts in 2007.

• John Carlson, in addition to representing Trout Unlimited and the Apple River Association is also representing the City of Amery. Amery is working on storm water infiltration concerns on a new strip mall and the flag pole park area. A new Regional Medical Center in Amery will incorporate various storm water measures to infiltrate water. The Amery Lakes Association is focused on promoting shoreland buffers. David Clausen of Amery was recently appointed to the DNR’s Natural Resources Board. The Apple River Assoc. supports removal of Woodly Dam and T. U. is concerned about the operation and water levels of the Willow River Dam.

• Pete Pursak, WDNR Wastewater explained that St. Croix Falls is working on a new 7 million dollar sewer treatment plant to be located just N. of the fish hatchery. A public meeting is scheduled for next Monday night. There are concerns over the expansion requiring the removal of two homes. The upgrade will significantly reduce loading of nutrients into the St. Croix.

• Eric Wojchik, Polk and Burnett LWCD reported that Polk & Burnett County’s are just beginning their annual crop land transect surveys- measures erosion and residual plant cover.

• Jeremy Williamson, Polk County LWCD is working on the ground water inset model with a focus on Osceloa /Farmington area. He is also working with various WAV adopt a stream training session in ; St. Croix County (already done) Polk (some time this fall), Upper St. Croix River, and Burnett County. Polk County is doing lots of shoreland restoration … over 20,000 linear feet planned for 2006 and 2-3 acres of rain gardens … approximately $100,000 worth of cost sharing. The Balsam Branch Watershed project is closing out this year. LWRD is working on a planning grant project on Loveless Lake with the goal of producing a better management plan. Will be seeking a grant for Lotus Lake this August. Also working on a Blake Lake APM plan and some issues on Pipe Lake. Amy Dechamps mentioned the June 7th Invasives Grant Administration training being offered at the Spooner, DNR Hatchery. On June 21 the Polk County Lakes and Rivers Assoc. will host Ted Ritter of Vilas County to discuss his aquatic invasive species work with towns and other local governments – 7pm at the Polk County Justice Center.

• Paul Kooiker, DNR Lands explained that the NAWCA (North American Wetland Conservation Act) grant is extended until June of 2007. Get in contact with Paul if you have good sites for wetland restorations. Michele Carlyls (sp?) was recently hired to fill the wildlife vacancy in Balsam Lake. DNR is working on a variety of surveys on the Straight Lake property. The master planning process will begin a more public phase once the site assessment work is completed and the Department can develop a range of management option . The first public meeting will be Jan. of 2007. No management decision will be made until the plan is complete (with the exception of repair of existing impoundment structures).

• Ron Erickson, NPS announced the grand opening of the new St. Croix NPS headquarters will be held July 15th. Kate Hansen discussed the St. Croix Valley Institute and some of the planned courses to be offered this summer at UWRF as well as courses offered by the Park Service this summer. The Institute is looking for opportunities for internships and research. Kate handed out the recently completed USGS ground water flow report. The Park Service is also working to complete its camping management plan for the St. Croix. The NPS and the Township are working to remove Cook Bridge below Pacwawong Lake on the Namekagon.

Next Meeting:
September 27, 2006 from 9- Noon at the St. Croix National Park Headquarters, St. Croix Falls. (Agenda: left over form previous meeting Stillwater Bridge Mitigation.)