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County water plan approved |
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By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
The Houston County Water Plan was approved by county commissioners during the Jan. 8 board meeting. County Environmental Services Officer Rick Frank reviewed the high points of the 10-year plan with the county board before it was approved.
According to Frank, Houston County is divided into four watersheds- the Root River, Upper Iowa River, the Mississippi River Reno area, and the Mississippi River La Crescent area.
The plan lists five major priorities that will be reviewed on an on-going basis. They include:
•Changing ag practices- As more livestock farmers are going out of business, the amount of acres in the county with hay, pastures, and other cover crops is diminishing. More row crops i.e. corn and soybeans, are being planted, which increases water run-off and increases soil erosion.
•Future development on bluffs and slopes- The number of new homes and other buildings on the bluffs and steep slopes in Houston County has increased. The 500-year flood event in August, and the total loss of several homes in Brownsville Township illustrates the need for more stringent zoning laws when it comes to locating structures on these areas.
•Recreational uses- Public and private campgrounds and parks situated along creeks, streams, and rivers in the county continue to grow, as does the amount of trout fishing, hunting, and use of ATVs. The plan will review the impact various recreational uses have on the environment.
•Education and awareness- The plan will attempt to promote education and awareness of sensitive areas in the county. Educational programs on the proper maintenance of septic systems and drainfields will be scheduled. Continuing programs like the county environmental day at Camp Winnebago is something Frank felt was very important.
•Ground water and the Karst Region- Because portions of Houston County are made up of Karst geology, septic tanks, drain fields, and feedlots have a dramatic impact on the area’s groundwater. The plan will review and modify goals and strategies to help protect both groundwater and surface water.
The priorities are set for five years and will be reviewed at that time.
Frank noted the proposed plan has been sent to all the state and federal agencies that might be affected or have an interest in water issues. Frank hasn’t heard of any comments for changes in the draft. The county water plan has also gone through the public hearing process, and again no comments for changes in the draft were made.
Commissioner Larry Graf asked Frank if the county water plan addresses the continued use of fertilizers and the impact this practice has on the river systems, including the ever-growing “dead zone” in the Gulf of Mexico. Frank replied the plan does address the use of fertilizers and issues with more row crops instead of cover crops on sloped acres.
A motion made by Commissioner Dave Corcoran and seconded by Graf was unanimously approved.
In other board action:
Highway equipment approved
The board approved a request made by Tom Molling of the County Highway Department to go ahead with the purchase of two motor graders and one backhoe. The purchases had been included in the highway department’s 2008 budget.
The county board put a 90-day freeze on all new county purchases last month. The county is waiting to receive more than $5 million from FEMA and the State of Minnesota in flood disaster reimbursements.
Molling explained if the county waits until after the 90-day freeze to order the equipment, the three purchases will cost $19,562 more, because the county won’t receive the state bid discount.
Molling added if the county waits until next year to make the purchases, the three pieces of equipment that will be traded in will be one year older and the decreased trade-in value coupled with the increased cost of the equipment in 2009 would add over $70,000 more to the purchase price.
If the county goes through with the state bid purchases, the county won’t be receiving the equipment until mid-March and won’t be paying for the three pieces until April or May.
Commissioner Ann Thompson agreed with Molling it would be foolish for the county to pass up on nearly $20,000 in savings by waiting.
“And if we wait until 2009, we’re looking at spending $70,000 more,” Corcoran added.
CUP request approved
The board approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for Eugene Heintz of Brownsville Township to move more than 50 cubic yards of fill in a flood plain.
Heintz, who lives in Section 34 of Brownsville Township experienced considerable soil erosion during the August floods. He wants to make repairs to his property, which includes moving between 300 and 400 cubic yards of dirt that had washed onto his property.
County Zoning Administrator Bob Scanlon noted a public hearing was held, Heintz’ neighbors were contacted, and no one objected to the project. The County Planning Commission recommended approving the CUP.
Thompson to head board
At the beginning of the Jan. 8 meeting, the board voted to have Ann Thompson serve as board chair for another year. Larry Graf will once again serve as vice chair. The board also approved all committee, board, and commission assignments.
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