Scott Johnson, Forest Conservation Coordinator for the Ruffed Grouse Society for Minnesota and Northern Wisconsin, met with the Lake County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, February 28th to talk about the work of the organization. The Ruffed Grouse Society is involved in forestry conservation and works to acquire, manage and restore habitat areas for Ruffed Grouse, American Woodcock and songbird populations. The RGS advocates for active forest management as a means to maintain and grow Grouse populations, stating that an unmanaged habit will outgrow its ability to provide grouse with food, cover and protection from predators. Johnson said that the RGS has access to funds from the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council that can be used to acquire small tracts of forested private land, which can then be managed or rehabilitated for grouse and woodcock populations. Readers who are interested in conserving forested areas or who enjoy grouse hunting can learn more about the RGS by visiting their website at www. ruffedgroussociety.org.
Let’s talk trash. How many of us spend time thinking about the trash we generate and what actually needs to be done to dispose of it? The good folks from Environmental Services spend a lot of time thinking about such issues and Christine McCarthy, Lake County’s Environmental Services Director/Planning and Zoning Administrator/Solid Waste Officer, was on hand to talk to the Board about ongoing efforts related to upgrading the solid waste management plan for the County. In the near future, a new landfill site will need to be found and developed. Planning for such a site needs to be certified by the State and must show how the County will reduce the amount of waste that is collectively generated moving forward. McCarthy indicated that the two most viable ways to reduce the overall amount of garbage produced by area residents is through recycling and composting. One goal is to increase recycling by 35% over the next two years. Composting will need to be increased as well. When it comes to dealing with trash, we all have a role to play.
There were multiple items on the Lake County Board’s Action Agenda at Tuesday’s meeting. Among those items approved were payment in the amount of $7,560.00 to Election Systems & Software for maintenance for the DS200 precinct counters, authorization for the Board Chair to sign the 2023 Lake County Emergency Operations Plan, and acceptance of a proposal dated January 20, 2023 for the purchase of a new Zamboni to cover ice resurfacing on area rinks.
Related to ongoing labor negotiations, the Board discussed and approved a policy that outlines how the County will respond to labor stoppages should a strike occur. The policy recognizes labor’s right to strike while outlining the need for the County to insure the continuation of necessary public services. Here’s hope for successful negotiations.
The next Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for March 7th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
