SOUTH BIG HORN CONSERVATION DISTRICT ANNUAL PLAN OF WORK 2014-2015 Contents WATER QUALITY.PAGE 1 INFORMATION AND EDUCATION. PAGE 2 RANGE AND WILDLIFE. PAGE 3 SEEDLING TREE PROGRAM. PAGE 4 SPECIAL PROJECTS. PAGE 5 URBAN/SUBURBAN ISSUES. PAGE 5 ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE. PAGE 6 MEETINGS. PAGE 7 AFFILIATIONS. PAGE 8 SIGNATURE PAGE. PAGE 9
WATER QUALITY Intent: Protect and enhance water quality and quantity for present and future users. Water Monitoring o Water monitoring is a priority for the South Big Horn Conservation District as most of the streams are listed on the DEQ 303(d) list of impaired waters. o Maintain water monitoring sites using credible data in a useable format. Data will be analyzed by DEQ approved consultants. Water Quality Education o Educate the public on stream health and best management practices. o Encourage landowners to implement acceptable irrigation, septic, off-stream livestock water, buffer zone and feedlot BMP s to improve over-all water quality. o Participate in World Water Monitoring Day. BMP Development and Implementation o Determine interest from communities in applying for funding now that the TMDL has approved by DEQ. o Promote implementation of BMP s. Other o Become familiar with the SuiteWater website initiated by WACD. o Support WWDC reservoir and dam projects and small water projects within the district. 1
INFORMATION AND EDUCATION Intent: Educate the public on natural resource issues within the district Youth/Teacher Education o Visit local schools with natural resource conservation education programs. o Work with schools on developing a water quality monitoring program. Public Education o Photograph district activities and events and publicize conservation efforts through the local media, brochures, and handouts and via the internet. o Continue to educate citizens about the status of the BLM revision plan. o Update website and monitor Facebook page. o Promote natural resource and agriculture success stories. o Host an educational workshop. 2
RANGE AND WILDLIFE PROGRAM Intent: To maintain and enhance rangeland for livestock and wildlife use WWDC Small Water Program o Support new applications for WWDC small water project funding. o Act as a pass-through agency for funds when necessary. Russian Olive/Salt Cedar o Pursue funding for the continuation of Russian olive and salt cedar removal if interest is shown in continuing with the program. o Promote and support Russian olive and salt cedar removal efforts with NRCS, Wyoming Game and Fish, and Big Horn County Weed & Pest. o Promote replanting of native species in removal areas. o Act as a pass-through agency for funds when necessary. Rangelands o Encourage BMP s that promote improved range health. o Promote and encourage rangeland monitoring programs. o Support educational and cooperative efforts related to range issues. o Stay abreast of the WDA Rangeland Monitoring program. o Support predator control efforts within the SBHCD. o Support scientifically sound research in the Sage Grouse predation and mortality. 3
SEEDLING TREE PROGRAM Intent: Promote and establish tree planting for energy conservation, soil erosion reduction and habitat enhancement Promote and administer the tree program o Sell seedling trees, shrubs and planting materials to the public at a low cost. o Promote the use of the tree planter. o Attend educational tree workshops when available. Provide tree planting assistance o Educate potential clients on tree species, care and planting. o Provide assistance in the design of windbreaks and drip systems. o Provide assistance to improve tree health to area landowners and establishment. Encourage tree planting and/or re-vegetation after Russian Olive and salt cedar removal o Assist landowners with the use of the district s Water Jet Stringer. o Encourage the enhancement of wildlife habitat with native species. o Continue to support the activities of the Bridger Plant Materials Center. 4
SPECIAL PROJECTS Intent: Provide assistance to address specific resource needs. Educate the public on natural resource issues through the use of news articles, newsletters and Facebook. Promote the district Facebook page. Work with the town of Greybull in pursuing the use of the District s Outdoor Classroom. Select a Cooperator of the Year. Seek grant funding resources to increase program delivery. Provide access to a complete library of resource materials. URBAN/SUBURBAN ISSUES Intent: Provide assistance to urban, suburban and small acreage landowners on natural resource issues. Make pamphlets available to residents that provide information about the following: o Backyard Conservation o Living on A Few Acres o Species Wildlife Values o Windbreak Maintenance Provide assistance for improving irrigation practices through meetings and tours. Educate users on water conservation, wildlife issues, grazing management, nutrient management and weed control. Promote the Barnyards to Backyards publication. 5
ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE Intent: To provide accountability to the South Big Horn County citizens and promote the efficiency and effectiveness of all district programs The District Coordinator shall: o Provide Board of Supervisors with accurate financial information for decisionmaking. o Prepare District and Board correspondence as pertinent issues arise. o Assist clients on phone and in office cooperatively with NRCS. o Conduct regular inventories of District property and keep appropriate records on file. o Assist in the development of the Annual Report and Annual Plan of Work. o Assist with implementation of Watershed Plan goals and objectives and with updating of the plan. o Complete and maintain an up-to-date Natural Resource Land Use Plan. o Bank statement will be reconciled quarterly at board meeting and approved by attending supervisors. o Complete accounts payable. o Write checks and vouchers and require two signatures on checks. o Reconcile checking and savings accounts in Quick Books. o Complete monthly financial statements and provide to Board in a timely manner at or before the monthly meeting. o Complete payroll and sales tax reporting. o Prepare annual budget and advertise for budget hearing. o Submit budget to Big Horn county Commissioners, WDA and WACD. o Track grant spending for the various projects. 6
MEETINGS Intent: To meet regularly and conduct business transparently District Coordinator shall: o Complete minutes and agenda and email to Board members prior to meetings. o Email minutes to Board members for review no later than 10 days after meeting. o Prepare information for monthly meetings. o Attend monthly meetings and act as secretary. o Advertise meetings in newspaper under community calendar sections in local papers and on the Facebook page. o Attend local, area, and state meetings, seminars and convention. o Continue to work on subdivision reviews with County Planner. o Work with the Shell Watershed Improvement District Board of Directors. o District Coordinator will continue to act as polling superintendent for the Watershed Improvement District elections. o Provide assistance to the Nowood/Alkali Dam board with the formation of the special district s watershed improvement district. Supervisors shall: o Attend local, area, and state meetings, seminars and conventions. o Maintain an open door policy and encourage the public to meet with the Board. o Adhere to the Long Range objectives as stated in the Natural Resource Land Use Plan. o Conduct District business in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. o Work directly with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. o Review the MOU on a regular basis o Conduct the Local Work Group meeting o Participate in Local Work Group Meetings with the NRCS to identify and address local resource concerns. o Accept, review, and follow Wyoming State Statutes to assist with the formation of a special district for the Nowood Watershed Improvement District. 7
AFFILIATIONS The District appreciates the assistance from the following agencies in carrying out its programs: BIG HORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS BIG HORN COUNTY LANDOWNERS BIG HORN COUNTY WEED & PEST BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT COMMUNITY OF EMBLEM DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY EXTENSION AGENCY FARM SERVICE AGENCY GREYBULL NRCS FIELD OFFICE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE TOWN OF BASIN TOWN OF BURLINGTON TOWN OF GREYBULL TOWN OF HYATTVILLE TOWN OF MANDERSON TOWN OF OTTO TOWN OF SHELL UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING U.S. FORST SERVICE WYOMING ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS WYOMING GAME AND FISH WYOMING NATURAL RESOURCE FOUNDATION SHELL VALLEY WATERSHED IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 8
SOUTH BIG HORN CONSERVATION DISTRICT JULY 2014 JUNE 2015 ANNUAL PLAN OF WORK SUPERVISOR SIGNATURES GEORGE KELSO CHAIRMAN WALTER HIBBERT VICE CHAIRMAN TED ZIER TREASURER NANCY JOYCE SECRETARY LINDA HAMILTON MEMBER We, the Supervisors of the South Big Horn Conservation District, as duly authorized by Wyoming Conservation District Law, hereby adopt this fiscal year 2014 2015 Annual Plan of Work as the guide for work priorities in this Conservation District. George Kelso, Chairman Walter Hibbert, Vice Chairman Ted Zier, Treasurer Nancy Joyce, Secretary Linda Hamilton, Member 9