Kathy Rasch of SWCD brings AIS prevention plan to Commissioners

 

 

Kathy Rasch from Soil and Water Conservation District brought the AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) plan for prevention for Board review and final approval. It was decided that there will be six inspection lake sites, and each inspector will need an inspection kit. There will be nine inspectors. The main expense of the plan will be staffing, which will be paid at $12 per hour. There will be 120 inspection hours divided at the six lakes, beginning May 8 through Sept. 13. The lakes are Lomond, Pine, Long, Long Lost, Clearwater, and Upper LaSalle. Itasca will do their own inspections.

 

The total budget for this plan is approximately $102,000.

 

Training for volunteers will be through Lake Associations; there will also be training for Law Enforcement.

 

An AIS Awareness video is being planned for release in the future.

 

The Board was very appreciative to Kathy for the work she is doing on the implementation of this plan.

 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife personnel Lynn Sebek, Realty Specialist and Neil Powers, Refuge Manager came to the meeting seeking approval for several wetland easements in Clearwater County. Ms. Sebek presented the descriptions of the wetlands, then Mr. Powers showed the locations on the map to identify where they are located. A motion was made by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Illies and passed to approve the easements.

 

Mr. Powers said, “We use a legal description with a map to identify which wetlands are protected by the easements. There are no special permissions required (for use) unless it could impact the wetlands.”

 

If there is a concern about the use, Dan Sauve` contacts them in 24-48 hours, then they may issue a special use permit. The pipeline, telephone and oil rights of way are some of the permits they may issue through wetlands. Powers said they must then put the land back to the way it was. 

 

It was decided to incorporate a 66 foot exclusion along easements in Clearwater County and 100 feet along Hwy. 30 at the request of the County Engineer.

 

“The rules governing wetlands are simple. Don’t burn, drain, dump boulders, or level the land. You can graze and hay. If it dries on its own, you can farm using normal farm practices – they are completely complimentary with wetlands easements,” Powers said.

 

Powers said, “Everybody has a problem with the wetland easements being perpetual.”

 

Commissioner Neal Illies informed the Board that Deputy Larry Olson will postpone his resignation for one month with their approval to allow the Board to consider options for the future of Emergency Management. Motion was passed to approve the postponement.

 

Commissioner John Nelson volunteered to serve on SHIP (State Health Improvement Program) in place of Duane Hayes. 

All Commissioners present at the meeting: Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.