Northern Counties Land Use Coordinating Board
Crowne Plaza Hotel, St. Paul, MN
March 4, 2015
Minutes
Note: The monthly meeting of NCLUCB was held in St. Paul, MN, in conjunction with the annual
Association of Minnesota Counties Legislative Confernce.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Rich Sve at 7:30 a.m. Chairman Sve
announced that he would have to leave the meeting at 8 a.m. to participate in the AMC natural
resources and environment committee of which he is chair. V.P. Todd Miller chaired in Sve’s absence.
NCLUCB members present: Steve Raukar, Jack Swanson, Brian Napstad, Ed Arneson, Garry Gamble,
Wayne Skoe, Todd Miller, Rich Sve, Anne Marcotte,
Other Participants: Bob Lessard, MDNR; Gary Kresow, Marshall Co.; Scott McCollum, Mahnomen Co.;
Joe Vene, Beltrami Co.; John Chell, NCLUCB secretary.
Administrative Actions:
Additions to the Agenda: Miller- Chapt. 404 study bill, Gamble- AIS program. Additions moved
by Miller/Skoe. Passed.
Actions on the Minutes of Feb.5, 2015. Moved by Napstad/ Gamble. Passed.
Financial Report: Treasurer Raukar reported that the NCLUCB General Fund Balance was
$119,826.59. Accounts Payable was reported as $735.29 to secretary for professional services during
Feb. 2015. Raukar moved the financial report/Miller. Passed.
Secretary Chell reported on the solicitation for bid for “An Agreed Upon Procedures Report”
mandated by the Office of State Auditor. Bid solicitations have been sent to four CPA firms familiar with
public agency auditing in Northern Minnesota and an additional solicitation to the State Auditor’s Office
as well.
Correspondence: Secretary Chell reported that the dues letter to NCLUCB member counties was
drafted and would be sent out within the next March. NCLUCB received a response letter from
Congressman Nolan regarding the NCLUCB letter to him on the Waters of the U.S. legislation in
Congress. Rep. Nolan thanks NCLUCB for a thoughtful letter and expressed a willingness to meet with
members to discuss further congressional actions on the matter. NCLUCB Chairman Sve signed a letter
to Commissioner Landwehr requesting an extension of the beaver trapping season into May of 2015 and
suggesting a series of policy initiatives to address the significant nuisance beaver problem in Northern
Minnesota.
Several commissioners commented on the nuisance beaver problem and the state response.
Commissioner Gamble cited University of Minnesota research survey that was apparently sent out to
assess the problem, but trappers did not receive the survey. Gamble recognized the concern regarding
incidental trapping of otter during an extended beaver trapping season. He also cited a 2006 season
extension to address a similar problem, and the declining number of younger trappers while noting the
role that the Minnesota Trappers Association is playing in encouraging younger participants.
Commissioner Skoe noted discussions he was having with trappers. He thought there were very few
trappers and the problem with declining pelt values during warmer season trapping. Skoe was opposed
to a bounty system and preferred to work with local game wardens and a designated trappers system to
address problem sites. Commissioner Napstad stated that without some form of incentive program,
trappers will not travel to hard to reach areas where populations may reach problem proportions.
Commissioner Raukar noted Gamble’s earlier comments on distinguishing between population
management and nuisance problems. Gamble stated that a previous meeting with DNR officials did not
result in any specific ideas or initiatives to address the issue. Commissioner Miller supported
encouraging the Minnesota Trappers Association to continue leading the discussion with the state.
Wetland Legislation: Commissioner Napstad prefaced his comments by noting that he would be
discussing this legislation with three separate committees during the day. After providing a historical
perspective to the issue including the particular problem with finding high quality mitigation sites in
Northern Minnesota, Napstad reviewed the Governor’s draft bill. He stated that there are four main
policy components to the bill:
1.
Allow alternatives to traditional mitigation such as stream bank stabilization, water
quality improvements, flood control projects and other projects by which to
mitigate wetland losses in areas of existing abundant wetland resources.
2. Statewide designation of High Priority Wetland mitigation areas where cross
watershed mitigation may be initiated.
3. The provision of credit ratios that would provide incentives to focus mitigation on
high priority sites, and
4. Authorization of an in-lieu fee program by which applicants for wetland disturbance
could pay a fee into a wetland fund rather than seek out qualifying sites for
mitigation.
In response to a question from Commissioner Miller, Napstad indicated that BWSR and local units of
government would designate high priority sites within their jurisdiction. Designated sites would be
defined in local water plans. Commissioner Marcotte asked about the rule-making process. Napstad
indicated that BWSR would be responsible for rules, fees, ratios, and other regulatory processes. He
noted that any action eligible for Clean Water funds would probably be an acceptable mitigation
alternative. Commissioner Arneson questioned the position of the Corps of Engineers regarding this
legislation and the ongoing problem of inconsistencies between Corps policies and those of BWSR.
Napstad replied that the Corps will participate in the rule-making process and any inconsistencies should
be worked out during that process of expedited rule development. Miller commented that this
legislation and Corps participation is further down the road to WCA revisions and an improved wetland
regulatory program that we’ve achieved in the past.
Other Issues Discussed:
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404 study bill
Drainage ditch buffer rule
PILT reimbursement increases and escrow account
County by county limits to state land acquisitions
AIS funding and program effectiveness
WOTUS and response to Nolan letter. Napstad moved and Skoe seconded sending an invitation
to Nolan to participate in an upcoming NCLUCB meeting.
Interagency Pipeline Report: insufficient analysis of property tax impacts, misleading discussion
of levy vs. property tax burden shifts.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.