Crook County Natural Resource District (CCNRD)

April 15th Regular Board Meeting Agenda 12:00pm

CALL MEETING TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 12:12 pm by Chairman, Wayne Garman at the Sundance USDA Service Center 117 South 21st Street, Sundance, Wyoming 82729.

ATTENDANCE

Board: Wayne Garman, Ted Parsons, Wanda Burget (call in) Jennifer Hinkhouse (call in)

Employees: Sarah Anderson, Raesha Sell, Carmen Horne-McIntyre, Bridget Helms

Guests: NRCS District Conservationist, Keela Deaton & FSA County Executive Director, Sarah Hanlon

OPEN ISSUES TO DISCUSS

Guest Update

NRCS- Ms. Deaton provided the NRCS update. We are taking 2019 applications under the 2018 farm bill with 2014 guidance. Preapproval was given on two forestry applications and four grazing applications using EQIP funds. We have received RCPP allocation with hopes to obligate contracts soon. Local working Group meeting will be held on May 1st, 2019 from 9:00 am -12:00 pm at the Sundance State Bank meeting room. PSI has approximately $35,000 for cover crop contracts. The Board was interested in working with Ms. Deaton to offer the programs. We are trying to make a shift in how things are initiated regarding field determinations. Specifically, we are stressing the that lands must be evaluated for erodibility prior to disturbance or the landowner could be subject to penalties.

FSA- Emergency program: Ms. Hanlon said that producers should report flooding that caused bank destabilization, fence destruction, or field damage. The livestock loss program is still open for reporting. Even if producers have only lost a few livestock, they need to report it; this gives them the opportunity to report more losses later. We have buyup policies available until May 24th. The price has increased per crop from $250 to $325. The premium was capped at $15,000.00. Any changes to a policy are not effective until 30 days. Post cards have been sent out with prescheduled crop reporting appointments.

Water Quality update by Carmen and Raesha

We received a letter to cancel a water quality improvement contract. Motion made by Mr. Parsons to accept the cancelation letter. Ms. Hinkhouse seconded. Motion carried.

A water quality improvement contract was accepted. Mr. Parsons made a motion to approve the contract as presented. Ms. Hinkhouse seconded the contract.

Seven 319 BMP water quality improvement contracts were ranked and contracted. Mr. Parsons made a motion to approve the six highest ranked applications and hold off on the seventh ranked project. Ms. Hinkhouse seconded the motion. Motion was carried.

The seventh ranked project should be evaluated more thoroughly and is tabled to review at the next batching date.

Ms. McIntyre shared that the SAP is almost complete to be submitted for review. The plan is to monitor at the current sampling sites; RESPEC will collect approximately fifteen water quality samples.

Local Issues by Carmen:

RER: There was an article in the paper stating that RER is conducting a pilot plant study to improve how they process rare earth elements. Other studies and site monitoring efforts are ongoing.

Strata: Mr. Kanode contacted the District and informed us the results of the pilot study for use of low-pH lixiviants site-wide will be made public when they are submitted to the WDEQ. Ms. McIntyre expressed her appreciation and relayed that the District would contact him after the results were made available to schedule a site tour.

NACD TA position: The NACD said that all the new and incoming proposals are on hold. They are hoping to have resolved the budget. They will fund all the renewal proposals first and then fund new proposals.

Forestry Update by Sarah:

Hazardous Fire Fuels: Ms. Anderson shared that the Black Buttes project is still moving forward. We still have $61,320 to spend to reduce hazardous fire fuels. We hope to send a targeted mailing to receive additional applications. We haven’t heard anything on the Miller Creek Hazardous Fuels Reduction projects.

Bark Beetle Mitigation Update: We still have nine projects under way in the amount of $113,341.08. We still have $42,758.92 for future applications. We will put an RFP out to receive new applications.

Joint Chiefs Landscape Restoration Award: The award was offered for the Wonder Community which partially surrounds land locked USFS property; NRCS and the USFS did receive Wonder Community Project funding. NRCS received $350,000 and USFS received $100,000 to fund water development and forestry projects. The District is a partner. The plan is to work with private landowners to secure easements that will allow projects to be initiated on land-locked forest service property. There is a meeting this Wednesday April 17th, 2019 to discuss the project.

Financials

A motion was made by Mr. Parsons to pay the bills and review the voucher for March expenses. Motion was seconded by Ms. Hinkhouse. Motion was carried.

The Board reviewed the reconciliation report summarizing the bank reconciliation completed by Ms. Hedges.

Official Budget Request Letter: Mr. Parsons made a motion to officially request to the County Commissioners for $59,700.00. Mrs. Burget seconded the motion. Motion was carried.

Approve Minutes

Mr. Parsons made a motion to approve the minutes from March 5th, 2019 as presented. Ms. Hinkhouse seconded the motion. Motion was carried.

NEW ISSUES TO DISCUSS

Streamlining Meetings: Ms. Hinkhouse offered ideas on how to streamline District meetings.

The Elkhorn Minor Subdivision Review was given by Ms. Helms. It is located south of Beulah. Red Canyon Creek runs through the lots which then flows into Sand Creek. Mr. Parsons made a motion to approve the Elkhorn Minor Subdivision Review as presented. Ms. Burget seconded the motion. Motion was carried.

Vehicle Review: Ms. Altaffer and Ms. Anderson are working together to find a vehicle for the District.

Personnel Policy: The Board asked Ms. Sell to update the personnel policy with the approved alcohol and drug policy language.

Recommendations to NRCS Standards: Ms. Deaton will evaluate the standards and communicate with the Board.

FOIA or Public Records Release It was recommended at the Winter Training that separate, business email addresses for the boards are created for privacy protection. We will look up the cost of tablets for each member as an option. Tabled until next meeting.

SCHEDULE:

A. WOTUS Comment Letter April 15th

B. April 18th WACD Board of Director Meeting

C. Water Quality Monitoring Training April 23-25, 2019

D. NRCS Practice Standard Comment Deadline April 25th

E. Water Fair in Sundance April 26th

F. Local Working Group Meeting May 1st 9:30 am -12:00 pm Sundance Bank Room

G. Next Board Meeting May 7, 2019 at 12:00 pm

a. County Commissioners Meeting: Jennifer Hinkhouse

H. Wolf delisting commenting deadline May 14th

ADJOURN:

Mr. Parsons made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Mrs. Burget seconded the motion. Motion was carried. Meeting was adjourned at 3:13 p.m.