by Mari Radtke
O’Brien County Conservation followed up the discussion about easements to their property on the north side the Little Sioux River near the intersection of Wilson Avenue and Waterman Boulevard. Osceola Rural Water is interested in digging wells on their land. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requires that a well operator must have legal control over 200 feet of perimeter around each well. O’Brien County Conservation owns much of what Osceola Rural Water needs for this project.
Easment discussion was reported to the Conservation Board (OCCB) about the matter.
On February 14 Director Mark Wilson further reported to OCCB that the County Attorney is still reviewing the easement proposal. One question that was not addressed in January was compensation to OCCB. This month public access to 18 acres of land in easement was announced as a leading form of compensation. The area that could allow for trails, bird watching or other outdoor activity is near Burned Bridge access on the north side of the Little Sioux from Prairie Heritage Center. Discussions are ongoing pending comments from the attorney.
Wilson noted that all the mattresses in the cabins have been replaced.
Wages for seasonal employees were approved at …$15.33 per hour from May 1 through August 31. The purchase of a diamond drum mulcher was approved. The diamond drum mulcher is a skid loader attachment. It was used for the cleaning of brush and trees from hillsides at Dog Creek earlier this year.
Lindsay Kleinhesselink, O’Brien County Naturalist, reported they are entering into field trip season. That is a busy time for PHC. She also reported that they are adding senior centers and mobile archery at schools to their activity set. Summer events planning is underway.
Fire training to the eastern O’Brien County terrain will take place before summer for all staff. Remodeling plans for Prairie Heritage Center is in the final planning stages.