Meeting Minutes - August 16, 2000
Alliant Utilities

Attendees: Russell Bellman, Jim Bernett, Nancy Braker, Steve Braker, Tom Kemp, Theresa Plenty, Gary Sorenson, Dave Egan, Bob Shaw, Megan Yost, Jim McConnell, Lynn Hanson, Ken Potter

Meeting called to order at 6:40 pm by Nancy Braker, president.

SPEAKER: TIM LARSON, DNR FISH BIOLOGIST
Larson gave a presentation on the DNR Trout Project in Rowan Creek. --Class 1 and 2 Designation Of the 12 miles of Rowan Creek, the upper 4 miles are designated as Class 1 and the lower 8 miles are designated Class 2. Class 1 means there is natural breeding and Class 2 means the area is stocked with some natural breeding. The lower 8 miles begin a half mile below Main St. in Poynette. Rowan Creek is dominated mostly non native Brown Trout. There are some Brook Trout.

Work on Creek Larson showed slides of various projects on the creek to produce trout habitat and bank errosion control. The upper half of the creek, Larson said he and youth workers undercut banks. Another project involved erosion control at the creek near the school. This project was led by a Poynette Middle School teacher named Mr. Scott. Larson and the students worked on tapering the banks back. Larson commented that this work is needed again and he may get the same teacher to help again if he is interested. Another habitat project that Larson has used is rip rap. Rip rap involves placing rocks on both banks of the creek. Larson said this method seemed the most productive because the banks do not easily erode and it stops cows from entering the creek.

Nearby Trout Streams

• Hinkson is another quality trout stream that is dominated with native Brook Trout and is designated a Class 1 trout stream.
• Larson said Lodi Creek has lost 80% of it's ability to naturally produce. He's not sure if it's pollution from storm water runoff from development and or resident ducks. Lodi Creek is dominated by Brown trout.
• Fish Estimates According to Larson when fish estimates were done on Rowan Creek in the 1980s there were 300-3,000 trout per mile with 300-400 over 9 inches. Rowan Creek is fairing well because Black Earth Creek, similar quality as Rowan Creek, is bigger and has the same amount of fish as Rowan Creek.

Challenges for Creek

• Keep new data on Creek.
• Last Master Plan on the creek was 1982. Jim Bernett mentioned that this fall the DNR will be doing a recon on the creek. The DNR will map cover types and compile other data.
• Development pressures along creek may raise the temperature of the creek and pollution from runoff may change the purity of the water. Stormwater mitigation techniques like retention ponds send water into creeks that doesn't contain oxygen and is warm.
• Winter snow piles next to creek melt into what is like massive storm water runoff.

Other Notes:

• Good quality trout streams do not freeze in the winter.
• Larson has never seen Rowan Creek go above 65 degrees.
• Rowan Creek is ground water fed.
• Keeping a buffer to the creek banks are important. Buffers help filter impurities before they get to the creek.

DNR RIVER PROTECTION PLANNING GRANT
Nancy Braker reported on the application progress. Letters of support are being gathered from the Village of Poynette, Town of Dekorra, Columbia County, and Town of Lowville. Braker handed out a spread sheet that showed how the funds will be spent.

Project dates will run September 1- August 31.

Goal of the grant will be used to get the Friends group established. There are five categories: organization work; education and outreach; publicity; watershed management; and general office expenses.

Motion by Braker to approve the drafted Resolution of Friends of Rowan Creek to authorize the submittal of a state grant application. Seconded by Gary Sorenson. Nine in favor. Zero against. Zero abstain.

The grant application will be submitted on September 1, 2000.

PRAIRIE GARDEN PLANTING
Theresa Plenty presented an idea for a small prairie planting project (approx 8' x 8') at the trail entrance near the Poynette Health Clinic. The goal of the planting would be use the planting to enhance the trail, provide education about native landscaping, and to collect seeds from the planting for future plantings. The group agreed to do the project and a committee was established. Plenty, Braker, Egan, Bernett and Shaw will be on the committee to work on the project. Plenty said anyone is welcome to join the committee or help at any time. Plenty will email the group to explain the details of the project. Egan agreed to donate seed.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• October 14, 2000, 1-3 pm Natural History Walk - Theme: Natural, cultural sites, Native American history - Possible speakers, Dave Egan, Lynn Hanson Nancy Braker will organize this event.
• Winter Cross Country Skiing and walk/hike into early evening followed by a camp fire and sing along with folk singers. Steve Mueller will organize this event. Spring
• Co-Sponsor flower walk with Friends of MacKenzie

Friend's Meetings
September 20 - Alliant * 5:30 - 6:30 pm Potluck * 6:30

Meeting concluded at 8:35 pm.

Theresa Plenty, secretary