Crawford SWCD Board handles routine conservation business at July meeting

Friday, July 23, 2010

The Crawford Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) board of supervisors held a regular meeting in the Crawford SWCD office on July 14 at 8 p.m. Four board members, three SWCD staff and two Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff members were present.

The board approved the June 2010 board meeting minutes, financial statements, payment of the July bills as presented and the leave liability report. There was no old business, so the board moved on to the new business.

Kent Stuckey, chair of the supervisor election nominating committee, reported that Ryan Klamfoth and Marvin James agreed to serve on the committee. Current supervisors Tom Miller and Nathan Brause have agreed to run for another three-year term. Marvin James has asked someone to run. Kent reported that he will have at least one more person nominated by the required July 31 nomination due date. A minimum of three candidates must be nominated to fill the two seats up for election, according to the Ohio Revised Code.

The board then moved on to the Outstanding Coo-perator and Buffer Award selections. The board presents these awards each year at the Annual Meeting which will be held on Sept. 14. The staff nominated four people for consideration as outstanding cooperators and two people for the Lake Erie Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program Buffer Award. The board and staff discussed the conservation activities and merits of each nominee and the board selected the winners. They will be announced at the Annual Meeting on Sept. 14.

Next, the board acted on routine business of 10 outdated, lost or broken equipment disposals. They decided to scrap the items due to their low value.

The board selected a representative for the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts summer supervisor meeting resolution session. Board members discussed the bio-solids rules and the conservation works of improvement projects resolutions to be acted on at the meeting.

SWCD Conservation Activities Report included: the Elected Officials and Leaders Tour is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 17. The rain barrel sale is underway.

Mike Hall reported that they are making some progress on the preliminary evaluation phase of Dobbins Ditch cooperative group project on the north end of Bucyrus. They may have found the possible low spot in the tile. The city has agreed to bring their vacuum truck out to try to pump the water out of the tile when the field is fit to drive the vacuum truck to the spot. They will then be able to see that section of tile when the camera is inserted.

The four SWCD staff members spent 6 percent of their time on SWCD conservation programs, 4 percent on USDA conservation programs, 5 percent on conservation engineering projects, 7 percent on drainage, 20 percent on administrative work, 2 percent on financial, 30 percent on education and outreach initiatives, 23 percent on leave, and 3 percent on meetings and committees.

Brad Van Voorhis and Nate Weber, NRCS conservationists, spent their time on an Environmental Quality Incentive Program waterway and rock chute survey check, five contract applications, one modification and six reviews; wrote six Conservation Reserve Program plans, checked practices; completed eight wetland determinations, four Highly Erodible Land determinations and seven program compliance spot checks for Farm Service Agency; assisted two landowners with drainage issues; and attended four area teleconferences and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative teleconference. Other activities included the local crops meeting with FSA, SWCD, OSU Extension and NRCS staff, a Conservation Security Program news release, Olentangy River Watershed meeting with Ed Miller and a site visit to a roofed lot with the area and state engineer. Nate Weber spent 12 days working in Seneca County.

The education and outreach activities include the Crawford County Fair booth display and preparing for the Whetstone Building educational programs at the fair. June activities included 16 school programs, the educators’ workshop, two news releases, one radio show, the “Ag News and Views” newsletter, 144 website visits, two girl scout badge workshops and two day camps.

Kendall Stucky, Manure Nutrient Management (MNM) specialist, investigated a pollution complaint. There were no violations; it was an invalid complaint. The board reviewed the report. Stucky’s other activities included four farm visits; six pre side-dress nitrogen test (PSNT) samples and results consultations; planning the pasture walk and management meeting that will be held on Aug. 3 at the Brian and Tayah Heibertshausen Farm; and sending out the manure management newsletter.

Bret Margraf’s Honey Creek Watershed Grant and the Sandusky River Great Lakes Protection Fund Grant activities included the Crawford SWCD tillage transect, assisting with the conservation and farm camps, north central agronomy report, the Hartschuh Dairy grant application, farm visits, correspondence, meeting with local seed dealers regarding cover crop blends and planning the cover crop workshop.

The board approved 11 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) plans including four Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) successor-to-the-contract plans (plans changed to new landowners), one Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grass waterway conservation plan for 0.2 acre, one Lake Erie Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) Successor-in-Interest form for a 4.0 acre riparian buffer that expires in 2035.

The next SWCD board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 11 at 8 p.m.