Minutes from the March 12th, 2026 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 Sonstegard at 5:00 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen, Nancy Dunnell, John Sopkowiak. Roger Krause attended remotely. Votes were taken by roll call.
Members absent: none
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; NRCS District Conservationist, Jody Peek (virtual)
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to approve the agenda as presented.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to approve the February 12th, 2026 minutes.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The February 2026 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Sopkowiak, with a second by Dunnell to approve the bills as listed on the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business
Review Items from Strategic Planning
The board discussed the vision statement and three options for the mission statement. The board was in consensus regarding the vision statement and agreed that the mission statement should be similar to option B, with the possible edits of:
The Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District is serves as a vital connection between landowners and agency partners to conserve and enhance natural resources.
The board reviewed the sorting and renaming of the goals and actions. The board will review one goal per monthly meeting for the next 5 SWCD Board Meetings. No action was taken.
Correction to Petty cash
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve amending the February 12th, 2026 motion for petty cash from $70.01 to $72.01.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Special Reports
NRCS partner updates – Jody Peek provided an update regarding NRCS activities. The office is busy with deadlines including an EQIP deadline for April 24th. Jody attended an operational meeting on February 25-26, where state leadership discussed hiring statewide. The outlook sounded grim with the likelihood that for every 4 employees that leave the NRCS only one can be hired. There is still a hiring freeze. In order for the DC position in Baudette to be filled, the position has to be opened up and then would only be filled with someone that already works for the NRCS. Another employee in the Bemidji Team has resigned leaving Jody and four planners left in the Team.
CRP general sign up deadlines are approaching. Continuous CRP enrollment opens Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. FSA will batch Continuous CRP offers on a first-come, first-serve basis. The first Continuous CRP batching period ends March 20, 2026. If acreage remains available, FSA will consider offers submitted after this date in subsequent batching periods. General CRP enrollment opens March 9 through April 17, 2026.
The board discussed sending a letter to federal legislators regarding hiring NRCS staff to service the county.
New Business
BWSR Soil Health Grant Agreement
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the Board Chair to sign the P26-0827 BWSR Soil Health Grant Agreement.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
MPCA Agreement for Lake Monitoring
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sopkowiak, to authorize the Lake of the Woods SWCD Monitoring Agreement with MPCA and authorize the District Manager to sign it in SWIFT once it is finalized.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
DNR Agreement for Peatland Monitoring
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to approve the Joint Powers Agreement with the DNR for Phase 3 Monitoring and to authorize the District Manager to sign it via SWIFT.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
2025 Rain Gauge Volunteer Recognition
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to approve $340 towards gift certificates as recognition for Rain Gauge volunteers.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Ravndalen R-R Forest Management Plan cost share final payment
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve Ravndalen’s 2025-01-FMP-LW Forest management plan cost share final payment in the amount of $2,380.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Arnesen Abandoned Well Sealing final payment
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve Arnesen’s 2019-18-SP abandoned well sealing cost share final payment in the amount of $1,000.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Blanch Abandoned Well Sealing final payment
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to approve Blanch’s 2025-08-SP abandoned well sealing cost share final payment in the amount of $1,000.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Extension – Orcutt forest management plan cost share contract
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to approve Orcutt’s 2025-02-FMP-LW Forest Management Plan contract amendment to extend the contract until June 30, 2026.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Clean Water Fund Grant Fund Work Order – CCMI – LOW Shoreline Cleanup
A motion was made by Sopkowiak, with a second by Dohmen, to approve Clean Water Fund Grant Fund Work Order – CCMI – LOW Shoreline Cleanup and authorize Hirst to sign the contract.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Clean Water Fund Grant Fund Work Order – CCMI – Living Snow Fence
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to approve Clean Water Fund Grant Fund Work Order – CCMI – Living Snow Fence and authorize Trask to sign the contract.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Aitchison forest management plan cost share application
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve funding for Terry Aitchison’s Lake of the Woods Forest Management Plan cost share application for 120 acres in the amount of $1,125.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
VanDeHey forest management plan cost share application
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to approve funding for Justin VanDeHey’s Lake of the Woods Forest Management Plan cost share application for 63 acres in the amount of $697.50.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests
IJC Semi-Annual Meeting – Hirst
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to approve Hirst’s attendance at the IJC’s semi-annual meeting in Washington DC the week of April 20th.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports
Lake of the Woods Control Board
Hirst and Dohmen updated the board with the regulation activities of the Lake of the Woods Control Board and provided an update on spring water level forecasts from the LWCB meeting on 3/5/2026.
General Information and Discussion – None
The next regular board meeting has been set for April 9th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Dunnell Seconded: Sopkowiak
Meeting adjournment time: 6:45 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________