LAKES CLASSIFICATION MEETING, MONDAY,

JUNE 9, 2008, 5 P.M. LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER

Present: Wayne Pawlak, Tom Metnik, Arian Knops, Bob Wiltrout, Phil Schneider, Bob Lorkowski, Jason Gillis, Bob Nelson, Paula Carow, Kathleen Seilheimer, and Dale Wozniak  Others present: Randy Tatur, Sandy Roth, Dave Willingham, Ken Parejko and CeCe Tesky.

Chairman Wiltrout opened the meeting at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He thanked the committee and especially Ken Parejko for working on this for about 18 months now.

Motion by K. Seilheimer/W. Pawlak to approve the May minutes.  Carried.

Ken presented information and a summary about the work that’s been done over the past 18 months on a “Power Point”. 

We discussed the Lake Vulnerability numbers shown on the handout. 

Ken explained the Lake Vulnerability/Development Matrix.

Ken explained the Stream Classification handout to us.

Ken finished his presentation and fielded questions.

Question about how the lakes were put into classes based on numbers.  Was science used?  Science gave the numbers.  The committee used their best judgment to put the lakes into classes, based on numbers.

Question about global warming – has it affected phosphorus in our lakes – probably not, but possibly.

Why blame property owners for change in water quality?  Bob explained that activities affect the lake, not necessarily who participates in that activity, landowners, renters, casual users.

Discussion followed about lot size, septic systems, sewer systems, value of wetlands.

Also discussed existing regulations and the new NR115 rule.

Questions about “tweaking” the factors and whether or not vulnerability changes.  No.

As a group we didn’t do water quality tests on streams.  It is interesting that a lake classed as outstanding/exceptional water by DNR didn’t guarantee a Class I lake.

The point was made that the classification of lakes and streams is just one more source of information, a tool, to be used so rules can be custom fitted to situations, not one rule fits all lakes or situations.

Up until this point the zoning committee didn’t have easy access to this information when making decisions.

Ken distributed 2 separate resolutions to be presented to the county board.  One asks that the lakes and streams classification matrix be accepted.  One asks that lot size minimum be changed to 150’.

Motion by W. Pawlak/K. Seilheimer to adopt the lst resolution containing the matrix. Carried, with everyone voting yes P. Carow, W. Pawlak, B. Lorkowski, K. Seilheimer, A. Knops, D. Wozniak, T. Metnik, R. Nelson, P. Schneider, and B. Wiltrout except J. Gillis who voted no.

Language was proposed to change the 2^nd resolution from one asking the County Board to recommend 150’ lot sizes to the Zoning Committee to a resolution which states that 150’ lot size is the AD HOC Committees recommendation. New resolution would read:

NOW THEREFORE the Rusk County Lake and Stream ad hoc committee recommends to the Rusk County Board that they ask the Rusk County Zoning Committee to consider a minimum width at shoreline of 150 feet for all newly-developed lots in Rusk County, and that the Zoning Committee consider  providing additional protection to the County’s most vulnerable rivers, lakes and streams.

Motion by B. Lorkowski/W. Pawlak to accept language change of 2^nd resolution. Carried.

Motion by  P. Carow / B. Lorkowski to adopt the 2^nd resolution as changed.

Roll Call J. Gillis – NO, W. Pawlak – NO, B. Nelson – NO. Abstained: P. Schneider

YES:  P. Carow, B. Lorkowski, K. Seilheimer, A. Knops, D. Wozniak, T. Metnik, and B. Wiltrout.

Minutes of these meetings will be on web site.  A great big thank you to Ken for all his work!

Minutes of these meetings will be sent out to get your vote to approve.

Motion to adjourn at 8:06 p.m. by T. Metnik/K. Seilheimer.  Carried.