Crook County Natural Resource District

Crook County Natural Resource District (CCNRD)

November 7th Regular Board Meeting Minutes

CALL MEETING TO ORDER at 12:04 pm by Chairman Wayne Garman at the Sundance USDA Service Center.

ATTENDANCE

Board: Wayne Garman, Lily Altaffer, Kim Fundaun, Casey Devish, Wanda Burget

Employees: Bridget Helms, Jessica Halverson, Sarah Anderson, Carmen Horne-McIntyre (Call)

Guests: Jim Geis

MONTHLY UPDATES

Guest- Jim Geis gave the Board an update on his issues with septic land application.

Water Quality Program Updates by Carmen & Jessica

Interim reports for the WDA grant were submitted. Two BMP projects were completed and the applications for payment were signed by the Board for 20221004_ST and 20221004_MW.

On November 29 from 5 to 8 pm we will be hosting a community discussion on conservation easements with the Wyoming Stock Growers Land Trust. There will be a short formal presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. Water sampling is now done for the season and final numbers should be available next month. Carmen attended the DEQ conference in Laramie. Funding to help upgrade the Office’s presentation equipment was written into the current WDA grant but hasn’t been purchased yet. Due to the estimated cost of a projector being above the employee spending limit, a purchase authorization was requested Casey made a motion to buy a projector, Wanda seconded. Motion carried.

Forestry Program Update by Sarah Sarah attended site tours of project areas in northwest Crook County on October 10th with Wyoming Game and Fish for sage grouse habitat improvements and conifer removal projects. Wildlife and forest health improvement projects are moving along, 717.7 total acres completed and 784 acres remaining. Hazardous fuels reduction projects are underway with the first contract started consisting of 1-defensible space, 17.5 acres of fuel breaks, and 28 acres of fuel treatments. A second project is pending, consisting of 1 defensible space, 14 acres of fuel breaks, and 45 acres of fuel treatments. Progress on these projects may be affected by the Northern long-eared bat consultation, which only allows for treatments from Oct. 15-May 1. Sarah gave an update on the last National Forest Advisory Board meeting. She also attended the virtual NRCS Town Hall—our NRCS staff will be overwhelmed for a while with the IRA funding rolling out and the “act now” requiring NRCS staff to get applications into contracts in 21 days.

Office Manager Update by Bridget The Educational function form to meet state funding criteria was signed by Wayne. Bridget assisted with the water sampling in October. She is working with NRCS to get a different laptop after the battery issues with hers. She handled all the room reservations and convention registrations. She has begun work on the annual plan of work, annual report, and annual summary.

Local Issues -Resolutions for Convention were reviewed by the Board.

Financials A motion to pay the bills was made by Lily and seconded by Casey. Motion carried. All checks were signed, and the reconciliation reports prepared by Bridget were reviewed and signed. Lily made a motion for the CCNRD to purchase any remaining WNRF raffle tickets, Kim seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Approve October 3rd Minutes A motion to approve the minutes as presented was made by Wanda and seconded by Lily. Motion carried.

Vehicle Discussion Bridget acquired quotes for vehicle tires. Kim made a motion to purchase new tires, seconded by Wanda. Motion carried. Lily recommended installing a battery kill switch to save the battery over winter with an estimated cost of $75.

NEW BUSINESS

Subdivision Reviews A motion to approve the Kara Creek Country Living and Massie Estates subdivision reviews was made by Wanda and seconded by Casey. Motion carried.

LGLP Ballot the Board selected their candidates, and the ballot will be sent in by Bridget.

Convention voting delegate Wayne Garman was chosen as the voting delegate.

After further reviewing the WDA budget, cost estimates were presented for a projector screen and webcam system. Lily made a motion to approve these purchases, Wanda seconded. Motion carried.

TIME OFF REQUESTS were approved.

Motion to adjourn was made by Wayne Garman at 2:49 pm.

Office Manager Signature:

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Chairman Signature:

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