CITIZEN ADVISORY GROUP CHARTER

Phase 1 – Permitting and Remainder of Year One

SCOPE OF WORK

  1. Learn about the environmental and socially responsible philosophy that inspired the creation of Belmont Bio-Ag.
  2. Learn about SymbiosysTM, the integrated system designed to transform into value added products all waste streams typically associated with large scale commercial livestock and bioenergy generating facilities.
  3. Provide feedback on design and environmental impacts of the project.  For the most part, that will take the form of opinions on the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and draft permit applications to the DNR and local government including but not limited to:
    1. Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) Permit
    2. Storm Water Construction Site General Permit - includes post-construction storm water management
    3. High Capacity Well Approval
    4. Construction/Operation Permit - related to air emissions
    5. Tank Registration
    6. Findings of Cultural Resource Impacts
    7. Manure Storage Ordinance
    8. Erosion Control, Storm Water Ordinance
    9. Sanitary Permit -  for employee restrooms
    10. Septic Permit
    11. Highway Culvert/Access Permits
  4. Review environmental materials to help Belmont Bio-Ag more effectively communicate with the public about its environmental design and programs.
  5. Communicate environmental information about Belmont Bio-Ag.
  6. Participate in the design of Belmont Bio-Ag’s Environmental Management System (EMS).

CAG participants to be provided a packet of background information regarding the project during the first meeting.  Throughout the permit review phase,  additional materials and draft documents developed by Belmont Bio-Ag will be distributed to the members of the group.  The results of the Phase I Citizens Advisory Group process will be:

  1. Feedback for Belmont Bio-Ag regarding issues pertaining to the project as they relate to the permit, EIR, and other approval applications.
  2. Feedback for Belmont Bio-Ag regarding the design of its EMS.

GROUP STRUCTURE

  1. The CAG will be comprised of up to twenty members.  Belmont Bio-Ag hopes to retain 25-to-50% of the members on the CAG when the project moves into Phase II.
  2. Members will represent a broad spectrum of local and statewide perspectives, preferably in the following areas:
    1. Principally environmental issues
    2. Principally fostering agricultural development
    3. Local farming
    4. Public sector conservation services
    5. Relevant technologies and the permitting process
    6. Site neighbor(s), including Belmont citizen(s)
    7. UW Platteville and/or UW Extension
    8. Economic development in SW Wisconsin
    9. Town Board and area politics
  3. Belmont Bio-Ag will strive to include a diversity of perspectives such as:
    1. Technical knowledge of relevant technologies
    2. Non-technical participants
    3. Male and Female
    4. Various age groups

BIO-AG REPRESENTATION

Senior Belmont Bio-Ag employees and/or technical support in Engineering and marketing will attend all meetings.  Depending on specific meeting agendas, other participants may include representatives from state agencies such as the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Transportation.  Other experts from fields related to the project will be brought in as needed at the request of the group.

MEETING PROCESS

  1. CAG participants are provided an initial packet of information regarding the project.
  2. Eight meetings of the CAG will be held over six weeks, beginning on October 4 and concluding on November 10.
  3. Belmont Bio-Ag will provide notes to all participants.
  4. Two professional facilitators will run the meetings.

MEETING LOGISTICS

  1. Starting Date: October 4, 2005
  2. Meeting Dates: October 4, 6, 13, 18, and 25; November 1, 3, and 10
  3. Meeting Times: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
  4. Location: UW-Platteville Experimental Farm on College Farm Road, in the Ag Tech Center
  5. Refreshments: will be provided
  6. Expenses:  Actual and reasonable expenses to attend will be paid
  7. Phase II meetings will be held monthly