| Pensaukee River Priority Watershed Project |
 Brian Hanson, Project Manager
* Project Overview
* Cost Sharing: How it Works
* Cost Shared Best Management Practices
* Participant List
* Past and Present Newsletters
* Contacts
Pensaukee River Watershed Project
The 166 - square mile Pensaukee River Watershed, located in Shawano and Oconto counties, is part of the Upper Green Bay Basin, was designated a "priority watershed project" in 1994 and began planning in 1995. The Nonpoint Source Control Plan was approved by the State Land & Water Conservation Board in December 1996 and implementation has begun. The project implementation period is 10 years (ending December 31, 2007). During that time, cost share agreements with eligible landowners may be signed. This project provides cost sharing and technical assistance to landowners within the Pensaukee River Watershed who wish to install conservation practices on their land. It is funded by the Department of Natural Resources and administered at the local level by the Shawano and Oconto County Land Conservation Departments.
The primary objective of the project is to reduce nonpoint source pollution loads and to enhance and protect the water quality of the streams, lakes and groundwater within the Pensaukee River Watershed. This will ultimately reduce the nonpoint pollutant loads flowing out of the Pensaukee system into the bay of Green Bay.
Nonpoint sources of pollution in the watershed include: eroding agricultural lands and stream banks, runoff from livestock wastes, agricultural practices, erosion from developing areas and runoff from established urban areas. Pollutants from nonpoint sources are carried to the surface water or groundwater through rainfall and snowmelt runoff or seepage. Pollutant reduction goals deal with phosphorus and sediment loading to surface water. A 1995 inventory determined a total of 261 animal lots are a source of approximately 4,862 pounds of phosphorus and roughly 70,000 upland acres contribute approximately 26,000 tons of soil per year. Our goal is to reduce these pollutant loads by 50% and 30% respectively.
Overall Progress Toward Project Goals
The goals for 1997, our first year of implementation, were to focus on manure and nutrient management issues. Seventeen landowners have signed cost share agreements and most have begun installing conservation practices. These include: Barnyard Runoff Management, Manure Storage Facilities, Nutrient and Pesticide Management, High Residue Management (conservation tillage), Intensive Rotational Grazing, Milking Center Waste Control and Wetland Restoration.
Our goals for 1998 are to focus on animal lots and upland acres which contribute a significant amount of phosphorus and sediment to surface water. This will be accomplished through voluntary landowner participation. The conservation practices used but not limited to are: Barnyard Runoff Management, Nutrient Management, High Residue Management (conservation tillage), Grassed Waterways, Diversions, Agricultural Sediment Basins, Riparian Area Buffer Strips and Wetland Restorations.
We had 11 cost share agreements and 20 additional best management practices implemented in 1999. Conservation tillage (High Residue Management) adoption is increasing. Our acreage increased from 275 acres in 1998 to 597 acres in 1999. Seven more farms signed up in 1999. Our lone watershed staff person worked one-on-one with 27 landowners in planning, design and installation of BMP’s.
Shawano County Land Conservation Division submitted a grant proposal to promote vegetated riparian buffer establishment within the North Branch and Upper Pensaukee River subwatersheds which was accepted. Its time frame is from July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2001. We plan on establishing 22 acres of riparian buffers in this time period. This BMP is still an interim BMP through the Wisconsin Priority Watershed Program and is being piloted by a few select watershed projects. Until these pilot studies are completed, DNR will not allow this practice to be used elsewhere. This Best Management Practice is essential to meet water quality goals in the Pensaukee River Watershed.
We had 30 cost share agreements and 19 additional best management practices implemented in 2000. Conservation tillage adoption continues its upward trend. Our
acreage increased from 609 acres in 1999 to 1,376 acres in 2000. Cropland protection cover, being targeted following canning crops, went from 329 acres in 1999 to 585
acres in 2000. Nine additional farms signed up in 2000. Our lone watershed staff person worked with 31 landowners/operators in planning, design and installation of BMP’s.
Shawano County Land Conservation Division’s Vegetated Riparian Buffer Project signed up 2 landowners for 13 acres of buffers. The project runs through June 30, 2001
with grant money from the Great Lakes Commission.
We signed 20 new CSA’s and implemented 21 additional BMP’s in 2001. Our watershed staff person worked with 26 landowners/operators in planning, design and installation of best management practices. High Residue Management and Cropland Protection Cover were the most popular BMP’s. Unfortunately it did not show an increase in the number of qualifying acres due to poor spring planting conditions. This obstacle pushed farmers into making additional tillage passes to prepare the seedbed. We anticipate 2002 to be similar to 2001 in high residue management acreage due to the increased amounts of corn that did not mature and ultimately was harvested as silage this past fall.
Signup and installation of the Shawano County Land Conservation Division’s Vegetated Riparian Buffer Project was completed in 2001. Three landowners installed 21.8 acres of buffers along tributaries of the Pensaukee River. This project was funded with grant money from the Great Lakes Commission. We are highly anticipating the use of the Riparian Buffer BMP from the DNR Nonpoint Rules. We will be requesting a grant amendment to include Riparian Buffers as a cost-shareable BMP for the remainder of our grant as soon as the rules are promulgated.
As far as Nutrient Management goes, we have seen a gradual progression toward farmers writing their own plans with the assistance from UWEX and LCD staff. The use of SNAP software is a tremendous asset.
To find out more about the Pensaukee River Watershed Project, you can contact Shawano County Land Conservation at (715) 526-6766 or Oconto County Land Conservation at (920) 834-5688.
Cost Sharing: How It Works
Cost sharing is the way the Priority Watershed Project helps share the financial burden for installing Best Management Practices that will protect both water quality and the long-term productivity of the land. Depending on the Best Management Practice, the project covers up to 70% of costs. Developing a cost share agreement with the project follows this process:
1. Give us a call
Call your County Land Conservation Department to learn more about cost sharing possibilities. Watershed staff at the Land Conservation Office will advise you on your eligibility.
2. Evaluating the site
An on-site evaluation is the next step in finding out whether cost sharing is possible. At your invitation, watershed staff will conduct an on-site evaluation to identify any eligible erosion and runoff problems needing correction. There is no obligation at this time, and taking further steps in the process from this point is up to you.
3. Conservation practice selection
The third step toward obtaining cost sharing is to select Best Management Practices that will effectively control identified runoff and erosion problems. Working with watershed project staff, you will select the practice or combination of practices which best suit your situation.
4. Signing the cost share agreement
Watershed staff will put together a schedule and cost estimate for installing the Best Management Practices you selected. When you are satisfied with the recommended practices and their estimated costs, you can sign a cost share agreement. Through the cost share agreement you agree to install and maintain the agreed-upon Best Management Practices and the project agrees to supply technical design assistance and financial cost sharing.
5. Designing the practices
Before a practice is installed, watershed staff develop a detailed design plan. They work closely with you on the design to make sure the practice fits your situation.
6. Completing work and receiving payment
You receive the cost share payment after the practice is complete. The money comes from the state, but all arrangements are made between the county and the cooperating landowner.
State Cost-Share Rates for Best Management Practices
Best Management Practice Cost Share Rate
Nutrient and Pesticide Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70%
Intensive (Rotational) Grazing Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70% 1
Livestock Fencing (Resource Protection). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70%
Pesticide Handling Spill Control Basins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70%
Manure Storage Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70%
Manure Storage Facility Abandonment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70%
Field Diversions and Terraces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70%
Grassed Waterways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$300.00/acre 9
Critical Area Stabilization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70% 3
Grade Stabilization Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70%
Agricultural Sediment Basins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70%
Shoreline and Streambank Stabilization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70% 3
Shoreline Buffers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70% 3
Wetland Restoration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70% 3
Barnyard Runoff Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70% 5
Barnyard Relocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70%
Roofs for Barnyards & Manure Storage Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70%
Structural Urban BMPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70% 4
Milkhouse Waste Control Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70%
Lake Sediment Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70%
Cattle Mounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70%
Well Abandonment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70%
Contour Farming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$9/acre 6
Contour Strip cropping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13.50/acre 6
Field Strip cropping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7.50/acre 6
High Residue Management (Conservation Tillage) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18.50/acre 7
Cropland Protection Cover (Green Manure) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$25.00/acre 8
Riparian Buffers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$500.00/acre 9
1 To a maximum of $2,000 per watering system; flat rate for fencing.
3 Easements may be entered into with landowners identified in the watershed plan in conjunction with these Best Management Practices.
4 The maximum cost-share rate for land acquisition, storm sewer rerouting, and removal of structures necessary to install structural urban BMPs is 50%.
5 Depending on pollutant load, a cost-share cap may apply.
6 Wildlife habitat restoration components of this practice are cost-shared at 70%.
7 Up to six years.
8 Up to 3 years.
9 A single payment in addition to 70% of installation costs. Initial and follow-up evaluation of effectiveness will need to be conducted by county staff at each installation of a buffer.
Working together to improve water quality:
Cost share agreements signed
Tauchen Harmony Valley Farms
Lowell and Deanna Pederson
John Kielar Jr.
Gary Anderson
Kenneth and Gayle Seidl
Viola Muck
Darrell and Lori Mathew
Ross Klosterman
Seth Berg
Jason and Lindsay Ard
Howard and Duane Naumann Allen and Mardelle Sievert
Richard L. Smith
Gary L. Wolf
Jim Mills
Kohn Trust
Ken and Judy Manthei
Wagner Farm
Russell and Carol Hudson
Lawrence and Jean Klapper
Alvin Reisner
Jerry and Deena Szudy
Bierhals Farms
Mark Homan
Gary and Christine Bohm
Jeffrey Simon
Steve and Marsha Naumann
Bergsbaken Dar-Rie Farm
Thomas Winter
James Swiecichowski Laverna Krause
Glen and JoAnn Coleman
Mark and Cynthia Hendricks
Roger and Janice Breitzman
Jerald and Nancy Specht
Ronald and Bonnie Steg
Jeff and Connie Horsens
Thomas and Lois McClone
Jeffrey O'Harrow
Wilkey Farms
Brad Arneson
Tim Smith
Robert Monette
Harvey Kirchenwitz
Michael and Yvonne Goral
Mark and Cindy Kirschling
Elroy Riemer
Brian and Tami Schubert
Tim and Julie Nischke
Gary Uelmen
Joel Nischke
Peter Przybylski
Gerhardt Busch
Ryan and Wallace Zernicke
John Wendland
Adam Kuczer
Albert Reinke Jr.
Michael and Bonnie Drzewiecki
Robert Przybylski
Anthony Przybylski Timothy and Peggy Bulger
Louis Danielson Jr.
Herbert Kanzenbach
Robert and Doreen Krause
Clarence Witterholt Jr.
Robert and Terry Rehn
Mark and Teri Karcz
Allen Kohn
Wayne and Connie Nischke
Jacobs Brothers
Thomas Jagodzinski
John and Dixie Nischke
Clarence and Carol Brown
James and Kathleen Brown
Pete Carroll
Carol Capelle
James Luepke
Elroy and Doris Riemer
Michael and Carol Riemer
Robert Ripley
Donald Nischke
Joseph Vande Voort
Jerome Denissen
Steven Wegner
David Deering
Dennis Lawniczak
Elmer and Elizabeth Kraning
John Rybicki Jr.
Mindy Przybylski Leon Behnke
James Berna
Ambrose Kerr
Curt Birr
James Ferfecki
Elmer Garbrecht
Bill Delzer
Stuart Sorenson
Robert Jahnke
Bryan Johnson
Ray Mroczkowski
Ron Rowell
Frank Sikorski
Elder Koeller
Engebretsen Farms
Julius Wnuk
Kevin Wnuk
Ervin Brede
Dale Morris
James Mills
Lee Davis
Leon Larsen
Alan Homan
Tim Busch
Harold Simon
Scott Gwidt
Richard Ferfecki
Bernadine Sobieski
Bernard Baranczyk
Newsletters
December 1996 December 1997
July 1998 March 1999
November 1999 February 2001
Contact the Staff
Office Phone (715) 526-6766
Brian Hanson Project Manager pndbrian@co.shawano.wi.us
Ron Ostrowski County Conservationist pndron@co.shawano.wi.us |
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