LAKES AND STREAM CLASSIFICATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
MONDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2007
5 PM, LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER
In Attendance: Jason Gillis, John Styczinski Jr., Alvin Lechleitner, Bob Wiltrout, Bob Lorkowski,, Arian Knops, Dale Wozniak, Kathleen Seilheimer, Tom Metnik, Fred Cook, Bob Nelson , Ken Parejko
The meeting was called to order by Chair Bob Wiltrout at 5:00 PM. Motion made by Arian Knops, seconded by Fred Cook, to accept the minutes of the August 2007 meeting. Motion carried.
Chair Bob Wiltrout’s report:
He asked if members have received the last copy of the WAL newsletter. Affirmative response from all in attendance.
The two videos, “The Living Shores” and “Environmental Protections, the Vital Edge” are available for personal or group review from Dale Wozniak upon request.
Ken’s Report:
Paleocore analysis results may take two or more months to receive. Turn around time for water analysis results are much faster.
Ken asked the committee if they’d like him to conduct one more water sampling on the target lakes yet this fall. Kathleen Seilheimer made a motion, seconded by Dale Wozniak, to have Ken do a final sample this year. Motion carried.
Ken shared a handout from the SWIMS website on the historical water data of our targeted paleocore lakes. He mentioned that satellite data on these lakes also exists but feels the SWIMS information is more accurate and reliable.
Per requests at last month’s meeting, he researched and presented a summary on soil vulnerabilities in Rusk County of which there are 138 different soil types and up to 12 types around some lakes. Our committee is most concerned about soil erodibility (2 classes) and run-off potential (4 classes). He scored approximately 90 lakes. These scores will be part of the composite score we use when classifying county lakes.
He reported that he used the Sawyer County method for classifying watershed size. Summarily, the larger the watershed, the less vulnerable the lake will be.
A handout listing the vulnerability scores of county lakes was reviewed. Vulnerability scores ranged from 10-22. Learning this, the committee was charged with deciding how to group our lakes based on a 1-2-3 sensitivity or vulnerability classification. After discussion, the recommendation was made to group lakes with scores of 10-13 as most vulnerable, scores of 14-16 as moderately vulnerable and scores of 17-22 as least vulnerable. John Styczinski made a motion , seconded by Bob Lorkowski, that we use the proposed vulnerability scale for classifying lakes. Motion carried.
Tom Metnik suggested that Ken average the 3 vulnerability scores of each lake to see if that averaging score would affect the classification placement of any lakes. Ken will do this and bring results to the next meeting.
Information was presented on the number of structures per mile on Rusk County lakes. Trailer homes were included and counted as dwellings. If a lake crossed county lines, the dwelling count only included dwellings within the Rusk County boundary. When asked to establish a criteria for identifying lakes as highly developed, a motion by Fred Cook, seconded by Arian Knop to set 15+ dwellings per mile as highly developed. Motion carried. In turn, a motion was made by Fred Cook, seconded by Dale Wozniak to set 0-4 dwellings per mile as the criteria for underdeveloped lakes. Motion carried. For the record, dwelling densities of 4.1-14 structures per mile will be considered moderately developed.
At the next meeting Ken will use the vulnerability criteria approved at the past two meetings to assign lakes into the Water Classification Management Strategy Decision Matrix for our review.
Other business:
The impact of the City of Ladysmith on the Flambeau River was questioned. Ken will ckeck with the Ladysmith Water Department and review the Kennecott Mine Report for water quality information.
Ken will check with the owners of the landfill near Weyerhaeuser for water quality data on the creek(s) in that area..
Next meeting is 5 PM on November 12, 2007.
Motion made by John Styczinski, seconded by Dale Wozniak to adjourn. Motion carried at 6:55 PM.
Submitted by,
Al Lechleitner, Acting Secretary