DATE: August 27, 2003 FILE REF: MMC
MIN 020403
TO: Marsh Management Committee
FROM: Andy Nelson, Wildlife Team Leader
SUBJECT: January 8, 2003 Meeting Minutes
Our February meeting began with a brief
round of introductions. Many thanks
to everyone who was able to attend despite
the winter weather.
To get the ball rolling Andy provided
an overview of the DNR budget forecast
for the next biennium. In a nutshell,
the wildlife management field operations
picture is bleak. Most funds will be
used to pay the basic costs of operations.
Little new habitat work will be funded
by the regular budget.
To combat the drop in base budget funds,
Andy has prepared special funding requests
for Turkey, Pheasant, and Waterfowl
Stamp funds. He will also be seeking
a return of sharecrop funds and stewardship
dollars for habitat management and development
activities.
Also, it was reported that the Dodge
County Conservation Aid funds, usually
about $9,000 of county aid and state
grant dollars, is unfunded this year.
This is due to the County decision not
to provide matching funds of $4800.
As a result, state grant money will
go unused. If any private organization
would like to provide the county share
of the aid, the state funds would still
be available. The MMC has a project
proposal to create a northern pike rearing
pond at the old Redhead Impoundment
which would be ideally suited for such
a project. Please call Andy if interested.
Andy also reported that staff had been
scouting Rush Lake for salvage operations.
Unfortunately no significant numbers
of perch were available. It does not
look promising to gain access to this
fishery this year.
We next had an involved conversation
about what the MMC would like to see
as the next “Big” project
on Horicon Marsh. If our expectations
are realized and the NAWCA grant application
is approved, we will begin on the East
Burnett Impoundment later this year.
Recognizing that it often takes years
to organize such a project. We agreed
that now is the time to begin planning
our next major effort. If all goes well
we would be in position to start on
this work when the East Burnett project
is completed in 2005.
Through this discussion many ideas
were bounced around. One of the most
popular themes was to restore lost potholes
and channels in the Marsh. Many different
alternatives to achieve this goal were
also considered. Additionally, several
members chose to focus on undoing the
drainage effects of the old ditches.
No decisions were made and no specific
plans were formulated. Rather, this
discussion was just a chance to get
the ball rolling and start everyone
thinking and dreaming about the future.
Plan to have more discussions in the
months ahead.
After a healthy dose of socializing,
venison sausage, and snacks we jumped
back into the matter of advancing the
organization of the MMC. One idea that
Andy shared from Jerry Voy involved
creating work teams. This idea found
much favor among the group.
As we discussed the concept, we felt
these teams would be issue or task oriented,
such as muskrat surveys, prairie planting,
nest structures, etc. Formation of a
team would depend on having a team sponsor.
The sponsor of the team would have to
prepare a written team charter, explaining
the purpose of the team, its jobs, and
intended work products. This plan would
then be presented to the whole MMC for
adoption and recruitment of helpers
to participate on the team. Each team
would be asked to report on their work
as appropriate to the task. The MMC
would then draft a Board of Directors
from among these work team groups.
There was consensus approval of adopting
this pattern of organization. Andy agreed
to begin initiating this plan prior
to the next meeting with a goal of having
at least 3 model team charters for the
whole group to consider at the March
meeting.
The next MMC meeting will be Thursday
March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the DNR Service
Center on Hwy 28. So, please join us
for a great agenda and interesting conversation
about Horicon Marsh. Friends and family
are always welcome!
Our agenda looks like this:
Management Updates
Survey reports
Snacks
Work Team Charters
The next “Big” project discussion
I hoe to see you soon!
Attendance:
Wayne Bandler Todd Cook Diane Kitchen
Ken Byrne Tom schnaderbeck Kevin Smith
Robert Miescke Terry Maaser Chris Maaser
Troy Maaser Ron Tobianski Dean Schaeffer
Ed Miescke Andy Nelson
