2001-10-25_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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BWSR Meeting Minutes September 26, 2001 Page Four Cost-Share Committee/Soil Conservation Committee -Chair Coe welcomed Dwain Otte back from his trip in Europe. Dwain did not have a committee report. Education and Public Relations Committee -Paul Krabbenhoft reported that Childrens Water Festival is being held today at the State Fairgrounds. Administrative Advisory Committee -Chair Coe reported that the committee met on September 13 to review and discuss two items that are on the agenda later today. Agency Reports Sharon Clark, Department of Agriculture (MDA), reported that MDA is busy with capital bonding budget requests. MDA has received $1 M from the legislature for dairy diagnostic study. Seven teams will be formed to work with dairy farmers statewide. Business planning grants are also included in that $1 M, for matching grants, applications are currently being accepted. Sharon reported that there has been a large outbreak of gypsy moth in Hennepin County; MDA staff are planning a strategy to keep this under control. Sharon distributed two publications for information, "Composting Animal Mortalities" and a "Guide to Feedlot Rules". Sharon reported that she just returned from a bio-terrorism conference in Vermont. States need to have an emergency plan in place and be on alert. Also, a .plan is being put together for animal diseases, with afive-state conference scheduled. Sharon reported that these meetings have been scheduled due to the September 11th event. Char Kahler asked for an anthrax report.. Sharon stated that MDA is still in the process of evaluating anthrax through blood testing on sick animals and animal carcasses. She will continue to update the Board as the evaluation process moves forward and will circulate the anthrax report when it is finalized. Dan Wilson, Department of Health (MDH), reported that within a day of the attack on September 11, MDH was in contact with every water system in the state. Dan stated that a huge change has happened regarding increased surveillance and security on water systems since the threat of attack on water systems. MDH is at the top in the nation for its state-of-the-art biosecurity systems. A lot of work has been done on biochemical security, although the resources have not been there, but now greater resources will be available for preparedness. Wayne Edgerton, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), distributed two informational publications "Commonly Asked Question and Answer About Consolidated Conservation (Con-Con) Lands Listed in DNR Commissioner's Orders of 1991" and also the "2001 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook". Wayne reported that DNR issued a new release regarding anthrax. A conservation officer should be contacted if anthrax is questioned regarding sick and/or dead animals. f s