Vilas County

The committee discussed updates regarding the Deerskin project, including grant funding for a bathymetric survey, and identified needs for Cranberry Island such as infrastructure security and signage. The meeting included an overview of the Enterprise Resource Planning system and the approval of the 2027 Annual DATCP Grant Funding Application and the 2026 work plan. Additionally, the committee approved travel for an upcoming regional event, authorized the signing of a North Lakeland Discovery Center agreement addendum, and received staff reports and various lake organization updates.

The committee meeting covered a report on Deerskin River dredging funding and dam management, an update on the Wildlife Damage Abatement and Claims Program, and a status report on the new Enterprise Resource Planning system. The committee also approved the 2026 ERCLA CBCW agreement, Healthy Lakes agreements, and received a presentation on youth conservation contest results. Additionally, staff and partners provided updates on DNR grants, climate adaptation planning, lake organization reports, and upcoming travel for a state conference.

The committee held a joint meeting to discuss proposed legislation regarding accessory dwelling units, specifically addressing concerns about local control and ecological impacts. The committee reviewed the Deerskin River Outlet Channel update, evaluated funding opportunities for phosphorus sampling through the Dairymen's Foundation, and approved a Healthy Lakes agreement. Staff and partners provided updates on various conservation efforts, budget preparations, upcoming conferences, and lake monitoring programs.

Key discussions included an update on the Deerskin River Outlet Channel dredging situation, noting proposed funding from state representatives. The committee postponed the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement with USDA NRCS until the following month as the updated agreement was not yet available. For the Cranberry Island Update, plans were detailed for ERCLA to restart a volunteer program for monitoring garbage and photography, and a three-phase plan was outlined covering signage, funding for stair repair, and the construction of a primitive privy. The DATCP engineer update confirmed that the Cloverland culvert project had not started, resulting in fund carryover. A major action item involved unanimous direction to develop a resolution opposing Assembly Bill 449, which concerns accessory dwelling units, due to concerns regarding increased density, septic discharge, potential for short-term rentals, and the effective elimination of single-family residential zoning. Staff and partner updates covered ongoing work such as Healthy Lakes designs, contest planning, data entry, and shoreline management programs. Lake organization reports included discussion on opposition to buoy placement for loon nesting areas and plans for treating EWM in a local lake.

The meeting commenced with a decision to accept the nomination of Marc Groth for the VCL&W Volunteer Conservation Stewardship Award for 2025, with presentation planned for May or June. The committee unanimously approved Healthy Lakes Landowner Agreements HL-2025-01 and HL-2025-03. All three applicants for the Summer Conservation Camp Scholarship were funded. There was no new information regarding the Deerskin River Outlet channel, and the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with USDA NRCS was deferred until next month. Staff updates included the report that brochures for new shoreline property owners are being distributed, the recognition of Higley for winning an Invasive Species Action Award, and the reporting that the hiring process for a northern zone DATCP Engineer is not progressing successfully. Lake Organization updates covered budget/annual meeting planning for Long Lake District Board, culvert replacement completion and landowner education regarding wakes at Spectacle Lake, and updates on mission statement revisions for PITLC.