DATE: May 1, 2003 FILE REF: MMCMIN
070803
TO: Marsh Management Committee
FROM: Andy Nelson, Area Wildlife Supervisor
SUBJECT: August 12, 2003 Meeting Minutes
As I write these notes, I hope everyone
out there is doing their rain dance!
Boy, it’s dry out there! With
no rain to speak of since our August
12th meeting, it has been hard to get
the marsh level to start on the upswing.
Our last meeting took out of the Marsh
and onto the high ground for a talk
about forestry. Specifically, there
was lengthy discussion about the lower
woodlot (Raddatz woods) on Palmatory
Street. DNR Foresters Tad Pyrek and
Randy Stampfl advise the group on the
need to consider harvesting the majority
of oaks to help regenerate the stand.
Key concerns about the woods relate
to the advanced age of the oak trees
and failing health of other species
in the woods.
After much debate, no decisions were
made. However, it was agreed that DNR
would continue to take public comment
and evaluate if any new options may
work to both address public interest
in mature forest but also address need
to regenerate. Stay tuned.
Russ Sobczyk inquired about ethanol
signs around area. Andy gave a thumbnail
sketch of the issue and referred interested
parties to local groups representing
either side of the matter.
Water levels on the Marsh are low.
As of August 12th the dam reading was
74.16. With next rains, Andy will have
dam closed to start refill for fall.
Neighbor water issues have been addressed
through pumping and dry weather. Hopefully
the survey that is planned for later
this year will provide a permanent solution
for water management concerns.
Andy reported the DNR burned cattails
on July 21, 22 and 24 with the help
of USFWS staff and equipment. The burns
included about 100 acres north of Burnett
Ditch, 800 acres east of Fourmile Island,
and about 10 acres north of Diana Ditch,
west of Miescke Bay.
Strong North winds helped the largest
burn become very successful. Unfortunately
some of the smoke and ash irritated
the City of Horicon for about 2 hours
that afternoon.
Andy passed out a sheet depicting which
areas will be sprayed later this month.
Current funding will allow us to complete
400 acres of spraying. Pending grants
and donation approval, Andy will shoot
to accomplish 400 acres next year as
well.
Boat ramp renovation contract has been
awarded. Last information was that work
would be completed by September 1, 2003.
That does not look very likely at this
point. Stay tuned!
Andy shared the duck and goose season
frameworks with all. Overall, it looks
to be one of the most liberal goose
seasons we’ve had in recent times.
Hopefully rains will come in time to
flood prime habitat areas!
DU Television is coming to Horicon to
tell their conservation story. Look
for the show to air during the 2004
season.
Fall trapping was next up on the agenda.
Specifically, the group revisited more
liberal trapping rules for areas of
high muskrat density. Specifically,
the Bachhuber Flowage and I-3 were discussed.
After much debate, it was agreed that
muskrat population densities in these
impoundments are in need of culling
through fur harvest. As a result, both
units will open to full trapping privileges
this fall. Trapping auction will be
scheduled in September.
Finally we spent a bit of time considering
development options in and around Clark’s
Ditch. There was much agreement that
this area of the Marsh is in great need
of habitat improvements. After brief
discussion of various restoration strategies,
it was decided that more information
was needed to evaluate rewards and implications
for working in this area. To that end,
Andy will try to secure surveying staff
to help understand the lay of the land
in this area. The survey would hopefully
reveal areas with flooding potential,
springs, and more!
Many thanks to Barbara Dutkiewicz for
the wonderful snacks at our meeting!
Thanks also to Cheryl Kakatsch for taking
these notes!
Finally, thank you Mark Kakatsch for
donating a dozen wood duck houses to
the Marsh.
Our next meeting will beheld on Tuesday
September 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the DNR
Service Center. Topics of discussion
will include:
DNR Research Report: Mallard and Blue-Wing
Teal Nesting Study
Management Updates
Cattail Spray Project Review
Burnett Impoundment Progress
Please be sure to join us for Ron Gatti’s
presentation about mallard nesting on
private lands in Dodge and Fond du Lac
Counties. This report will provide some
great insights into the fate of our
local breeders! Bring a buddy and join
us for some great duck talk!
And if that isn’t enough to get
you, Dean Schaffer’s tasty treats
are sure to bring you out for a fun
night! See you soon!
Attendance:
Dennis Fruehauf Wayne Bandler Jim Reinhard
Gregg Apostoloff Russ Sobczyk Robert
Miescke
Ed Miescke Terry Vrana Noel Nogalski
Randy Stampfl Ted Pyrek Stuart Wellnitz
Kevin Smith Keith White Larry Michael
Troy Maaser Todd Cook Kathy Rydquist
Barbara Dutkiewicz Jim Bednar Andy Nelson
Cheryl Kakatsch Todd Pauly Mark Kakatsch
Dean Schaffer
