MUSCODA - The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board (LWSRB) met in Muscoda on July 13 to conduct a regular monthly business meeting. Robert Cary of Blue River is returning for his third stint as Grant County representative on the board. Cary replaces Steve Wetter who was forced to resign due to health considerations earlier this year.
Cary, an original appointee to the board in 1989 served for several terms before relinquishing his slot to Nick Nice of Boscobel. When Nice stepped down due to health concerns, Cary stepped up to serve as his replacement. Wetter was then named as the Grant County member.
Cary has agreed to fill the remainder of Wetter’s term, which will expire on May 1, 2024. This will enable Grant County to conduct a search for suitable candidates to submit to Governor Evers for appointment to a full three-year term beginning next spring.
Previously, Cary has served in numerous leadership positions on the Riverway Board including several terms as Vice-Chairman and Budget Committee Chair.
George Brandt of Arcadia was welcomed to the board as a new recreational user group or ‘at-large’ member. Brandt fills a vacancy that has languished for a few years, and his appointment by Governor Evers is subject to Senate confirmation. Brandt noted he is a house painter by trade, and has lived in Trempealeau County for 45 years.
He enjoys spending time outdoors, and appreciated the opportunity to canoe the Wisconsin River with the voyageur replica canoes prior to the board meeting.
Officers for the new fiscal year were elected, with Gigi La Budde of Spring Green returning as chair. Randy Poelma of LaCrosse was elected vice-chair and Meredith Beckman of Mazomanie was elected Secretary.
Committee assignments were approved with La Budde serving as chair of the Executive Committee, Dan Hillberry of Blue River as chair of the Operations Committee, Ritchie Brown of Black River Falls as Personnel Committee chair, and Beckman as Budget Committee chair.
Mark Cupp, executive director, reported progress on the Lone Rock Highway 130 bridge project continues at a steady pace. He reported that he had approved a minor design change in the piers. The closure of Highway 133, west of the bridge to the intersection with Bigelow Hill Road, will begin on July 19, and will continue for 89 days.
Cupp said the annual voyageur replica canoes were successful again this year although low water conditions made navigation challenging. He noted flows recorded at Muscoda neared the record lows from the famous drought year of 1988, when most of the record low flows were set.
In other action
In other action, Cupp said permits had been issued to Carlin Martin for a timber harvest on lands not visible from the river in the Town of Clyde, Iowa County. The bottomlands area is adjacent to Highway 133 near the intersection with Bigelow Hill Road.
A structure permit was issued to Laura Helm for addition of a three-season porch to an existing home in the Town of Spring Green, Sauk County, on Riverside Drive, downstream of Wisconsin Riverside Resort.
Two general permits for activities on lands not visible from the river on adjacent properties on Seitz Road in Sauk County were issued. A permit for a new storage shed was issued to Matt Smith, and a permit for addition of a deck on an existing home was issued to Brody and Jenna Stuettgen.
A general permit was issued to William and Sherrill Borrer for a timber harvest on lands not visible from the river in Town of Buena Vista, Richland County. A salvage harvest of storm damaged trees and commercial harvest of miscellaneous species on the bluff facing away from the river will occur on a parcel near the Button Cemetery. The consultant is Mark Berg.
Cupp also reported he met with Terry Askevold to review removal of hazard trees at Trader’s Campground in the Town of Arena, Iowa County. The trees included dead ash trees from Emerald Ash Borer and other species that had suffered storm damage or that had significant health issues.
The next regularly scheduled business meeting will be held on September 14 at the Spring Green Community Library. A presentation on the proposed reconstruction of Iowa County C, between Highways 14 and 23, will be given by Jewell and Associates and the Iowa County Highway Department.
