Minutes from the July 10th, 2025 Regular Board Meeting
The meeting of the Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District was held in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
The meeting was called to order by Nancy Dunnell at 5:00 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Roger Krause, Nancy Dunnell
Members absent: Monica Dohmen
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Team Lead, Jody Peek; County Commissioner, Joe Grund; Conservation Corps intern, Marissa Schmidt
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the June 12th, 2025 minutes.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The July 2025 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
The 2025 2nd quarter budget vs actual report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve the bills as listed on the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business
District 3 Supervisor Vacancy Appointment
No action was taken. Discussion included suggestions on ways to promote the vacancy and options for direct outreach.
Special Reports
NRCS partner updates – Jody Peek, NRCS Team Lead, notified the board that the deadline for EQIP applications had been moved up to August 1st. This is quite a bit earlier than prior years. There will likely be a screening process because of the competitive nature of the funding. The Baudette field office vacancies have not changed but there is a current relocation process underway at a national level. Bemidji staff is traveling to Baudette on a limited basis.
New Business
CD renewal
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve the reinvestment of the three $125,000 CDs expiring in 2025 into a maximum of a 2-year CD available through Multi-Bank Securities. The District Manager is the authorized staff with signing authority through Multi-Bank Securities.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Beckel Forest management plan cost share final payment
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve final payment for Tony Beckel’s 2024-11 FMP-RR forest management plan in the amount of $1,340.00 from the Rainy-Rapid Watershed Based Implementation funding.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Comstock forest management plan cost share final payment
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve final payment for Clifford Comstock’s 2023-07 FMP-LW forest management plan in the amount of $1,301.00 from the Lake of the Woods Watershed Based Implementation funding.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Carlson abandoned well sealing cost share application
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve Sandra Carlson’s abandoned well sealing cost share application in the amount of $1,000 or 100% of the total practice cost, whichever is less. Funding will come from the District’s abandoned well sealing cost share funding.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Horner abandoned well sealing cost share application
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve Loren Horner’s abandoned well sealing cost share application in the amount of $1,000 or 100% of the total practice cost, whichever is less. Funding will come from the District’s abandoned well sealing cost share funding.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Cover crop cost share applications
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the following cover crop cost share applications: Hadyn Rennemo for 70 acres at $50 per acre, Jade Estling for 40 acres at $50 per acre, Jake Hancock, 70 acres at $50 per acre.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Summer Newsletter
The consensus of the board was to develop a summer newsletter to be distributed county-wide.
Training and Travel Requests – none
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports – none
General Information and Discussion
Winter Road Peatland Restoration – Trask presented the map of the six sites that are currently being modeled as part of the Winter Road Lake Restoration investigation.
Fall Winter Road Lake SNA Peatland Tour – discussion about ways to tour the sites being investigated to help inform the projects.
2025 MASWCD Award Application period – an Outstanding Conservationist selection will need to be presented and approved at the August meeting
US Army Corps water level correspondence shared with the LOW Co. Board – see board packet for correspondence
Wetland Conservation Act Fees – the board discussed pros and cons of assessing fees as part of the violation/restoration order process.
Williams Creek Wetland Mitigation Site – settlement agreement changes – a new agreement is being developed to separate components of the current settlement.
Vacker sign for stormwater practices
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the use of education funding for the purchase of stormwater interpretive signage based on the Vacker Sign Company quote for the City of Baudette stormwater treatment chambers.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Promotional items purchase
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve the purchase of promotional pens from Nelson Ink in the amount of $504.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The next regular board meeting has been set for August 14th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Sonstegard Seconded: Krause
Meeting adjournment time: 7:52 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________