Rusk County Lakes and Stream Ad Hoc Committee Meeting Minutes

May 15,2007

The minutes of the March 12^th meeting were reviewed. Motion by Fred Cook., second by John Styczinski, Jr. to approve the minutes, motion carried.

Steward introduced the new Lake Classification Coordinator, Ken Parejko. Then we went around the room and made introductions.

Bob Wiltrout discussed the web page. He would like to have the minutes, agendas, committee members listed, what is lake classification, the mission and deliverables on the web page. He is looking for feedback. He would also like to have links to other organizations on the page and would like a link to this site from the Rusk County web page. The web page will be linked on www.flambeauvalley.com

Some members of the committee would like to discuss NR115 and the County Code and what is the link between the County and DNR codes.

Discussion on possible sites for testing stream water: Soft Maple Creek near the landfill and Flambeau River near the Flambeau Mine site and around the City of Ladysmith.

Someone suggested that Jerry Carow corne talk to the Committee about the Dairyland Flowage drawdown and mercury levels.

It was mentioned that we need to obtain the data from lake samples that have already been done.

Steward showed slides on the Housing Density of northern counties. This is a GIS map and it showed the past, current and future (projections) for housing density. Significant development is on the way. Steward will ask NWRPC to assist in GIS activities.

Another link for the Lake & Stream Classification web page is DNR Webview. The DNR Webview is an online GIS site that has a lot of information and maps.

Discussion Water & Soil Sampling: we discussed sediment and turbidity. First step is to contact DNR, Lake Associations and Paula Carow for data that is already collected and what is available and where.

Someone suggested that we could possibly use the inmates at the correctional facility as volunteers for sampling.

It was suggested that we do secchi disk readings because most if not all lake associations utilize this process. We would provide the disk and instructions.

There is something called a biotic index for river bottoms. This identifies pollution and insects in rivers.

We want to look at the basic breakdown of each watershed and attack the watersheds with the least amount of information when identifying areas to study.

We definitely want to know more information about paleocores and where they have been done. Ken will contact Paul Garrison.

Motion by Lorkowski/Wiltrout to use watersheds as a basic map unit from which to study Rusk County. Motion carried.

Motion by Lorkowski/Pawlak to access all data available and put together a map of this information. Motion carried.

People to contact include Joe Steneson and Meg Marshall of the Island Lake Management District. The Commercial Testing Lab in Colfax - see Ken or Paul Metnik about this place.

The next meeting is scheduled for July 9^th. At 5:00pm.