The Monthly Meeting of the Rusk County Land and Forestry Committee Was Called to Order at 9:00 A

The monthly meeting of the Rusk County Land and Forestry Committee was called to order at 9:00 A.M., Monday, November 9, 2009.

Present from the committee were: Gene DuSell, Phil Schneider, Jim Platteter, Tony Hauser, Roger Svoma. Also present were: Paul Teska - County Forest Administrator; Gary Albrecht – Parks Supervisor; Wayne Tappon – DNR Forester.

Motion by Platteter to approve the minutes of the previous meeting, 2nd by, Schneider, carried.

Motion by Svoma to adjust the agenda as necessary, 2nd by Hauser, carried.

Discussion on Trail Damage on County Forest Land caused by motorized vehicles.

Island Lake Dam Inspection Report - Island Lake Dam has been inspected by DNR. Report has items that need to be done, not necessarily structural wise. Need to do an emergency action plan, signage upstream, and inspection operation maintenance plan – due January 1. There are some concrete repairs, brushing & slope protection. Also a detailed dam failure analysis, which will require an engineer. Morgan & Parmley will do an estimate. Teska will bring this back to the committee when he has figures available from the dam repairs budget.

Community Park/Park Aids Project/Pavilion - Teska passed out information on a log structure for the proposed pavilion at Community Park. Teska would like to talk to Lee Westlund who designs and builds log buildings. There is a park aid grant $ 9,468.00 for this, 2009 Parks Budget has $10,000.00. 2010 budget has $8,000 from powerline money for a total of $27,468.00 which is what Gary Albrecht estimates would be the cost. The red pine logs would come from the County Forest.

County Parks Pavilion Reservation System - Albrecht has looked at what other counties are doing on renting out their pavilions/shelters. Most counties charge fees for use of their pavilions. Discussion on out of county residents using the pavilions, committee agreed that there should be 1 fee set for both county and non-county residents. The open pavilions at Josie and Audie will not take reservations. Murphy and the New Pavilion at Community Park will allow reservations for $50.00 with an additional $50.00 refundable deposit fee. Change policy to allow alcohol use and not require an off duty police officer to be on property. The policy has been changed for Trail End Camp so it does not appear to be an insurance issue. Drop the non-use of alcohol at the Josie Creek Clubhouse and allow alcohol at all the campground facilities, rent out the pavilion at Murphy and Community for $100.00 with $50.00 of it being a refundable deposit. Albrecht will bring this back in ordinance form for the committee.

Recreational Trails/DNR Water Regulation Permits - Albrecht reported that the DNR is changing all their form requirements for permits. Rather than going to the local DNR, all water regulation permits will go to Madison and if there are problems with the permits than they will send them up to the local DNR. Teska stated that the proposal from the DNR that the Land and Water Conservation Dept. would do all the leg work for ATV Trails. Discussion on John Kleist from the DNR and his approving permits. Wayne Tappon stated that the DNR is forming an Ad Hoc Committee to look at making the permit process and development of projects easier and more workable.

Teska and Randy Tatur are on the NorTrax Committee and feel that this committee will help with the water regulation permit process. More powerful as a group that just one county at a time making complaints. Timber Sale Contracts – NATHAN HECKER – Contract #’s 2256 & 2259. The bank did not want to renew his letters of credits so Teska drafted on them. A Check was sent from the bank in the amount of $ 6,412.60 for #2256, #2259 - $17.325.00 Motion by Schneider Close out Timber Sale Contract #’s 2256 & 2259; and to draft on the Letters of Credit and confiscate the bonds for non-performance, 2nd by Platteter, carried.

Louis Hanson Private Lines - Hanson has put up the legal fence; Teska looked at it and it is done. Corporate Counsel is supposed to be doing up a deed. Motion by Platteter to have Corp. Counsel drafts the deed to Louis Hanson, 2nd by Hauser, carried.

2010 Wildlife Habitat Funds – cut from 10 ¢/acre. $4,450.00. Motion by Schneider to apply the funds to, $2,500.00 salary for mowing, $ 1,500.00 for gates, $ 450.00 for tractor repairs, 2nd by Svoma, carried.

Carbon Market Opportunities on County Forest Land – Discussion on storing more carbon than what has been done in the past. Teska will look into the possibility of doing a pilot project on 5-10,000 acres of county forest land with the USDA Forest Service for the Carbon Market.

Change the December Meeting – to Monday, December 7.

Motion by Hauser to approve the bills, 2nd by Platteter carried.

Motion by Schneider to adjourn at 11:15, 2nd by Hauser, carried.