2012 WINNEBAGO COUNTY LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

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1 2012 WINNEBAGO COUNTY LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT OAKRIDGE ROAD GROUNDWATER REMEDIATION CONSTRUCTION PROJECT By Tom Davies, Land and Water Director n 2006, a mandatory water sample collected from a newly installed well tested I positive for Escherichia coli (e-coli). Subsequent water samples were collected from approximately 26 private drinking water wells within the project area located in the Town of Clayton. Of the 26 wells, 13 tested positive for bacteria (coliform and/or e-coli). The impacted wells are located near an abandoned gravel pit. Prior to human activity, the area appears to have been a natural water course collecting surface water runoff from an estimated 530 acre drainage area. Winnebago County Land and Water Conservation (LWCD) and Public Health (PH) Departments joined forces to address this issue with the well owners. This subsequently led to the Oakridge Road Groundwater Remediation Project. In 2008, LWCD applied for and was awarded a $150,000 WDNR Targeted Runoff Management Grant to provide financial assistance in cost sharing the project. During the last six years; countless meetings, onsite inspections, well water tests, privately owned sanitary system tests, and drainage area reviews were conducted by LWCD and PH. Partners in these activities included: landowners, town officials, UW Oshkosh faculty and students, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). In 2011 and early 2012 the surveying, construction plan design and the project s Request for Proposals (RFP) process had been completed. In the Fall of 2012 the sink hole treatment/clay liner was installed by Zillges Excavating and construction overseen by LWCD technical staff at a total cost of $122,735. State and county cost sharing paid $111,690 and the participating landowners paid $11,045. The movement of groundwater is extremely difficult to calculate and predict; therefore, no assurances could be provided to the participants that this project would totally eliminate the issues. The corrective actions identified were based on the test data collected and the scientific analysis provided. The project was designed and installed in accordance with all applicable technical standards and specifications. To determine the overall success of the project; LWCD, PH, and WDNR will begin another set of well water tests in the Summer Our expectation is to verify that the constructed clay liner is working to keep the local aquifer free of harmful contaminants and provides a clean source of drinking/potable water to local well owners. This project could not have been completed without the permission, cooperation, and personal financial commitment of the homeowners that allowed us to install this conservation practice on their property. This project will benefit the entire area and the LWCD appreciates all those who contributed in this excellent example of cooperation, coordination, and conservation. APRIL 2013 MISSION STATEMENT Winnebago County Land and Water Conservation Department Providing a full range of professional services in the planning, design, and performance of programs and projects t h a t P R O T E C T, RESTORE, and SUSTAIN the natural resources of Winnebago County. Inside this issue: Nutrient Management Planning and Farmland Preservation Program 2 Grant Funding 2 Farmland Preservation Plan gets State Certification Best Management Practices Water Level Fluctuation Monitoring Network Plan Information and Education Introducing New Staff 5 Tree Sale 6 Page 1

2 2012 NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND FARMLAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT By Sheila Kiddy, Agronomist Farmland Preservation Program or the tax year 2011, 80 F landowners certified in the Farmland Preservation Program (FPP). FPP participants are required to work with the Winnebago County Land and Water (LWCD) to certify they are m e e t i n g t h e S t a t e Agricultural Performance Standards (NR151) to claim a tax credit. This year, 13,185 acres were certified which generated $98,888 in tax credits for those W i n n e b a g o C o u n t y participants. The LWCD continues to assist participants to become compliant with the State Ag-Performance Standards. All cropland and livestock facilities located on the enrolled land must be in c o m p l i a n c e b y December 31, If a participant is not in compliance by the deadline, they will be deemed noncompliant and ineligible for the tax credit until they achieve compliance. The LWCD will continue to work diligently to assist all participants to meet compliance before 2015 allowing them to continue to receive their tax credits. Nutrient Management Planning N utrient management farmer training classes were held again in 2012 with 11 producers operating 2,500 acres in attendance. The classes offer farmers a better understanding of the steps taken to write Nutrient Management Plans (NMP) and a basic knowledge about soil, nutrients, manure and the growing of crops. The total number of NMP acres for 2012 was 43,297, a 16% increase (6,158 acres) from This increase illustrates the priority LWCD has placed on this practice and the impact of the State Agricultural Performance Standards on Ag Producers within Winnebago County. WINNEBAGO COUNTY LWCD AND NRCS ADMINISTER $916,588 IN GRANT FUNDING By Tom Davies, Director n 2012, the Winnebago I County Land and Water (LWCD) applied for and received $210,791 in state grant funding. This funding will go toward cost - sharing projects and practices for landowners and help offset departmental expenses. In addit i on, t h e L WCD budgeted $80,000 of cost share funds provided to county constituents through the Winnebago County Water Quality Improvement Program. The LWCD also carried over $320,090 of state and local cost share grants from 2011 to be utilized in 2012 & The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) provided $305,587 for the install ation of B est Management Practices (BMPs) contracted through t h e C o n s e r v a t i o n Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). These funds, totaling approximately $917,000, are utilized to cost-share and support the installation of BMPs throughout Winnebago County. Grant funds such as these provide a significant and positive economic impact for our local contractors and related businesses. THE WINNEBAGO COUNTY FARMLAND PRESERVATION PLAN GETS STATE CERTIFICATION By Tom Davies, Director N ew laws governing the State s Farmland Preservation Tax Credit Program required the County to revise its current Farmland Preservation Plan (FPP). To complete this sizable task, the Planning and Zoning Department (P&Z) contracted the consulting firm Civi Tek. Civi Tek began the process in 2011 with a series of meetings and the creation of a Steering Committee c o m p r i s e d o f representatives from each town. Multiple Town Hall meetings were conducted throughout the County to p r o v i d e l a n d o w n e r s information about the new FPP, the requirements of participation, and the zoning com pl ianc e i n vo l ved. Landowners were offered an open forum to discuss the issues, make comments on the plan structure, and to voice their preference regarding participation in the program. Throughout 2011 and into 2012, Civi T e k, t h e S t e e r i n g Committee, P&Z, and the L a n d a n d W a t e r (LWCD) worked on revising the Winnebago County FPP and getting it approved by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and C o n s u m e r P r o t e ct i o n (DATCP). In June 2012, DATCP certified the Winnebago County FPP for five years. Currently, P&Z is working to get the revised Farmland P r e s e r v a t i o n Z o n i n g Ordinance certified by DATCP. Once certification occurs and participating towns under town zoning get their Farmland Preservation Zoning Ordinances approved by DATCP, the process will be complete. Also, congratulations to the Town of Nepeuskun for adopting a Farmland P r e s e r v a t i o n Z o n i n g Ordinance. The ordinance was certified by DATCP in December For the first time, landowners in Nepeuskun that have rezoned their land to Farmland Preservation will be eligible to participate in the State of Wisconsin Farmland Preservation Tax Credit Program. We look forward to helping all FPP participants meet the Agricultural Performance Standards compliance requirements for their tax credits. Page 2

3 2012 INSTALLED BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Manure Storage By Chad Casper, Resource Conservationist and Melanie Leet, Conservation he Winnebago County Land and Water Conservation T Department (LWCD) has several funding sources used to cost-share conservation projects. These funds help aid landowners with the installation of various Best Management Practices (BMPs). Along with the funding assistance, our department provides survey, design, and construction supervision to ensure the projects are installed according to design specifications. Installing these BMPs will reduce the sediment and phosphorus loading to our local waterways. The installations will improve and protect water quality and groundwater resources in Winnebago County. In 2012, the LWCD allocated $194, for the installation of structural BMPs in addition to Federal funding. The table below illustrates a summary of the BMPs installed in Best Management Practice Grassed Waterway Units Installed 7,721 ft. Wetland Restoration Shoreline/Streambank Protection Barnyard Runoff Control Systems Shoreline Habitat Restoration Livestock/Machinery Crossing Well Abandonments Manure Storage Manure Waste Transfer Manure Storage Abandonment Sinkhole Treatment 9.0 acres 80 ft. 2 ea. 80 ft. 4 ea. 22 ea. 2 ea. 2 ea. 1 ea. 1 ea. Grassed Waterway Diversion 1 ea. Shoreline/Streambank Protection CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Page 3

4 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Shoreline Habitat Restoration Barnyard Runoff Control System Wetland Restoration Sinkhole Treatment WINNEBAGO WATER LEVEL FLUCTUATION (WLF) MONITORING NETWORK PLAN By Chad Casper, Resource Conservationist he Winnebago System T is one of Wisconsin s most significant water resources. It represents 17% of the state s surface water acreage. For over 150 years, lake levels on the Winnebago System have been controlled by the dams located at the two outlets on Lake Winnebago in Neenah and Menasha. The dams were originally installed to manage water levels for commercial navigation for early settlers. These dams increased the water levels on the Winnebago System by approximately 3 feet. This manipulation in water levels is one contributor to degraded wetland habitat, loss of wetlands, increased turbidity and shoreline erosion from wind, wave, and ice action. In 2009 a Water Level Fluctuation (WLF) Advisory Team was formed to improve the understanding of WLF on the Winnebago System and promote long range improvements. Their goal is to create healthy lakes while maintaining the diverse uses on the Winnebago System. The advisory team partners with USACE, WI DNR, Winnebago County LWCD, conservation clubs, utility companies, and other interested partners. A WI Lakes Partnership Grant was received to focus on improved understanding of the WLF effects and dynamics. A Winnebago Water Level Fluctuation (WLF) Monitoring Network Plan was created with the grant received. The WLF Monitoring Network Plan includes recommendations for water level monitoring improvements. A list of these recommendations includes the following: Increasing the number of monitoring stations for stream flow and WLF. Expansion of watershed soil moisture and snow pack monitoring. I m p r o v i n g s p a t i a l coverage of water quality monitoring on the Winnebago System especially in near shore zones. Establishment of a more robust wetlands and shoreline appraisal report. Explore the development of decision making models relating WLF to environment, recreation, hydroelectric generation and riparian property conditions. Adding metrics for i m p r o v e d characterization of environmental impacts. If these m onitoring recommendations are implemented, it will give us m o r e a c c u r a t e a n d complete information for WLF management and decision making on the c o m p l e x W i n n e b a g o System. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES By Melanie Leet, Conservation n important part of A conserving our local r e s o u r c e s i n v o l v e s educating the public on a variety of issues and solutions to problems in our County. This can include teaching basic conservation principles to young children o r m o r e c o m p l e x conservation solutions to f a r m e r s a n d u r b a n landowners. The Land and Water (LWCD) coordinates an educational tour for the Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) students in the spring and fall of each year. The tour presents students with various projects the LWCD has installed in Winnebago County. This exposure helps students focus their studies and select courses. The department provided displays for the Winnebago County Fair, Birdfest, and the Wisconsin Public Service Farm Show. These displays provide an excellent opportunity for LWCD to get information to the public that we otherwise would not have exposure. L W C D c o n t r i b u t e d newspaper articles, worked with Northeast Wisconsin Stormwater Consortium (NEWSC) on Winter Road Management Training and distribution of educational materials, participated with the Weigh-in on the Winnebago Waterways Steering Committee, helped educate students at Geographic Information System (GIS) Day at University Wisconsin-Fox Valley, and worked with University of Wisconsin- Extension to provide training to farmers on Nutrient Management Planning. FVTC Tour Page 4

5 Meet Sheila Kiddy Meet Mike Haase Hello, in December I joined the staff of the Winnebago County Land and Water. I am looking forward to establishing working relationships with the landowners of Winnebago County. I spent the last 23 years assisting rural landowners with their conservation practices for the Calumet County LWCD. I have an Associates Degree in Natural Resources from Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton and I attended High School in New London, Wisconsin. My wife and I have four children ages 4, 5, 12, & 19. I grew up in the northwest corner of Winnebago County near Winchester where my parents owned and operated a small farm. Winnebago County is a home coming for me and I look forward to serving its residents. Hello from the new Agronomist at Winnebago County Land & Water Conservation Department. My name is Sheila Kiddy and my background includes many years as a private crop consultant in the New London, WI area. My main experience in the last several years has been writing and following Nutrient Management Plans (NMP). I even have a bit of experience from a fertilizer plant and seed sales. I look forward to meeting the farmers in the area. I would like to assist them in using their NMP as a useful management tool along with getting to know them and their farming operations. Meet Andy Maracini Hi! My name is Andy Maracini and I joined the Land & Water in May As GIS (Geographic Information Systems) for the department, I assist staff and residents with all of their mapping and technology needs. I have over 15 years experience using GIS in environmental applications. I have a Master s Degree in Urban & Regional Planning from Ball State University. My wife and I reside in Appleton with our baby girl Isla, and chocolate lab Beny. Page 5

6 STAFF DIRECTORY Tom Davies, Director Chad Casper, Resource Conservationist Mike Haase, Conservation Lynette Hein, Secretary Sheila Kiddy, Agronomist Melanie Leet, Conservation Andy Maracini, GIS LAND CONSERVATION COMMITTEE DIRECTORY Chuck Farrey, Chair Jim Englebert, Vice Chair Nancy Barker, Secretary Bruce Bohn, Citizen Member Kenneth Neubauer, County Board Member Tom Snider, County Board Member Dan Stokes, FSA Member Winnebago County Land and Water 625 E. County Rd. Y, Suite 100 Oshkosh, WI (920) (920) Fax: (920) Visit us on the Web at: The Winnebago County Land Conservation Committee (LCC) is a standing committee of the Winnebago County Board. Working through the Winnebago County Land and Water, the LCC provides local leadership and establishes policies for the delivery of land and water resource management programs and services. TREE SALE By Lynette Hein, Secretary n 2012, 26,800 trees I and shrubs were planted b y l a n d o w n e r s i n W i n n e b a g o C o u n t y. Additionally, 1,050 trees were distributed to schools for handing out to students as part of their Arbor Day Program and lastly, 14,400 trees and shrubs were planted by landowners outside of Winnebago County. Where do the trees c o m e f r o m? T h e Winnebago County Land and Water Conservation D e p a r t m e n t ( L W C D ) annually distributes trees and shrubs through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Tree Program. The trees come from Griffith Nursery in Wisconsin Rapids and arrive in mid to late April. Landowners may purchase the trees and shrubs for installing riparian buffers, creating a w i l d l i f e enhancement area, or for t r e e p r o d u c t i o n. O f t e n, l a n d o w n e r s may purchase the trees as part of an incentive program which m a y i n c l u d e t h e Conservation Reserve P r o g r a m ( C R P ), Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), or Wisconsin s Managed Forest Law (MFL). As part of the tree distribution day, the LWCD offers many materials and tools to landowners for ensuring the growth of a healthy tree. This year, the d e p a r t m e n t sold 65 bags of root gel, 850 f e r t i l i z e r tablets and ft. tree s h e l t e r s. Another service the LWCD offers is the rental of tree planters. The planters are used mostly by landowners planting large numbers of trees. There were five landowners that took advantage of this service and planted 11,500 trees. A Tree Planting Workshop held prior to tree delivery offers demonstrations on how to plant the trees with either the larger pull behind unit or with a tree planting bar; four landowners took advantage of this training opportunity. The LWCD/WDNR tree sale works well in combination with many different conservation programs. It offers an effortless way for landowners to obtain their trees/shrubs and gain access to the tools needed to get their trees/shrubs planted. Page 6