RLIA Homeowner’s Workshop – First in a Series

Thursday, February 25, 2010
Lake Mills Town Hall  - 6:30pm
 

 

Board Members in attendance: Jim Colegrove, Betsey Delorey, Lee Gatzke, Jan Jenrich, Scott Johnson, Katie Otto, Jim Plotz

 Special Guest: Neal O’Reilly, Engineer, Hey & Associates

 Homeowners in attendance: Wayne & Barbara Britzke; Travis Feirtag; Steve & Hope Oostdik; Robert & Beth Shropshire; Richard & Faye Veith; Joe Nehmer, Director, Jefferson County Parks.

Public in attendance: Bob Wardall, Jeff Jenrich, Dave Korth, Bob Crump, Stan Smoniewski, Max Otto, Milt Strauss
 

Workshop  Called to Order - Jan Jenrich, president, 6:30 p.m.

 

  1. President’s Opening Remarks read by Vice President Jim Plotz (Jenrich had laryngitis):

 

President Jenrich stated guidelines for meeting,that O’Reilly would present the final grant report findings and questions and discussions would follow, exclusively for landowners adjacent to the ditch.

 

  1. O’Reilly Presentation:

 

  • Property owners would determine solution chosen.  RLIA has no enforcement authority.
  • Grant study showed there is a pollution problem in the  watershed of this abandoned ? agricultural drainage ditch.
    • Phosphorous elevated, total phosphorous vs. dissolved phosphorous.
    • Nitrates and nitrites (nitrogen) present.  Toxic to humans at high concentrations, ie- blue bay syndrome, individuals with heart disease and certain cancers at greater risk.
    • Fecal coliform, digestive track bacteria, human or animal?
    • E.Coli, subset of fecal coliform.
    • Sediment estimated at 23,652# per year.  Drainage “valley” with muck 8-10-12” thick in spots.
  • Range of best management practices:
    • Bank stabilization
    • Ditch plugs and vegetation
    • Wetlands—need organic soils, 6-12” dept max, liners expensive
    • Sedimentation basins—more compact, more volume with smaller square footage, not for nitrates
    • Alum injections—for alum phosphate bond
    • Sand—filters phosphorous but doesn’t touch nitrates, 4-5 year maintenance requirements
  • Hierarchy of determining solution:  1.  Source controls, 2.  trapping, 3.  westlands, primary value corridors
  • Work necessary to determine best solution has been broken down into two grants to maximize DNR cost sharing opportunity:
    • Grant 1—
      • Bed load
      • Bacteria
      • Topographic
      • Wetland
    • Grant 2—
      • Tile survey
      • Feasibility study of technicality of alternatives
      • Funding
      • Open house to hear public input

 

  1. Homeowner Questions & Answers

    Please click this link for the Q& A

 

  1. Meeting Adjourned: 8:50pm