HomeMy WebLinkAboutOC Soil & Water minutes 120915ORANGE SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
BOARD MEETING
Environment & Agricultural Center, Hillsborough, NC
December 9, 2015
Board Members Present: Karen McAdams, Clay Parker and Roger Tate.
Employees in Attendance: Brent Bogue, Gail Hughes, Lisa Pope Kenny Ray, Todd
Roberts, and guest, Don Cox.
Vice - Chair, K. McAdams, called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m.
The October 26, 2015 Minutes were approved as submitted. R. Tate moved for approval,
C. Parker seconded.
Community Conservation Assistance Program (CLAP)
No new contracts at this time. Allocation for Orange County is $6,583.00
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Update
NRCS District Conservationist, B. Bogue, reported that EQIP sign up ends in November.
The majority of applications are for conservation assistance plans; transitioning to
organic crops. Several forestry applications have been received. High Tunnels are still
very popular and in high demand, Bogue reported.
Three teleconferences will be held, prior to Thanksgiving, regarding the reorganization of
NRCS. Bogue is the acting /interim supervisor in his area at this time. The full time
supervisory position has not yet been filled.
N.C. Ag Cost Share Program (N.C. ACSP)
T. Roberts, K. Ray and G. Hughes discussed the following ACSP Applications, Contracts
and Request for Payments:
Requests for Payments — * Tentatively Approved
DDB Customs David Brooks — 68- 2014 -050: Water tanks, water lines totaling
$5,203. (319 Falls Lake Horse Grant Funds) Parker moved to approve; Tate seconded.
*Michael Griffin — 68- 2016 -052: Livestock Exclusion — Fencing totaling $2,407.
Tate moved to approve, Parker seconded.
Please Note: * Contracts tentatively approved based on completed work that meets
specifications due to end of grant funding period is Dec. 31, 2015.)
Requests for Payment.
68- 2015 -007 — Fickle Creek Farm: Stream Protection (CS) includes water trough,
waterline and fencing totaling $2,743. Tate moved to approve, Parker seconded.
68- 2016 -001 — Bryant Neville: 8.57 acres sod -based rotation (CS) totaling $1,500.
Tate moved to approve; Parker seconded.
68- 2016 -006 — Milton Durham: 23.27 acres prescribed grazing (CS) totaling $698.
Parker moved to approve; Tate seconded.
New Applications
Elise Bortz — 68- 2016 -007: 0.5 acres Grassed Waterways. 540 pts.
Parker moved to approve; Tate seconded.
68- 2016 -003 - Lee Hollowell: Stream Protection (CS) totaling $3,872.
Parker moved to approve, Tate seconded.
Additional allocation of funds received (two non - compliance refunds):
Contract No. 68- 2006- 24 -09: $1,333.00 refunded.
Contract No. 68- 2005- 05 -09: $357.00 refunded. Total refunded amount is $1,690.00
New Contracts
68- 2016 -003 - Lee Hollowell: Stream Protection (CS) totaling $3,872.
Tate moved to approve, Parker seconded.
Elise Bortz — 68- 2016 -007: 0.5 acres Grassed Waterways. 540 pts.
Tate moved to approve; Parker seconded.
Education Update
— Second Annual Blueberry Plant Sale is slated for February, 2016. Proceeds of
sale will be used to support OSWCD Ed Outreach Programs. See L. Pope for
details of sale.
— Farm to Table Two Day Event was cancelled due to heavy rains in the area
during October. However, Pope was able to make the "We All Live in a
Watershed" contest themed educational presentations to 125 fourth grade
students at Cameron Park Elementary.
— The 2016 Poster, Essay & Speech Contests are underway and have been
advertised to local schools and home school groups and through the county's
monthly newsletter made available to the public. This year's theme is "We All
Live in a Watershed ". The winners reception has been scheduled for February 16
and will be held the Food Lab.
— Pope reported that the District did not receive the Sierra Club Grant needed for
the Blackwood Farm Discovery Trail. Since the Patterson Fund was created to
use specifically for educational outreach purposes, the Board agreed to use funds
from this account to begin trail project. Tate voted to spend up to $3,000 on the
Discovery Trail from the Patterson Account; Parker seconded. The Board
requested that credit be given to the Patterson's for their contributions (on
signage at the park). The Board also requested that an estimate of building
materials be created for the Board's approval at the next board meeting
— Pope updated board on her NC Environmental Education Certification. She
attended the "Living Waters" Training at the Eno River State Park on November
18�h.
— Hughes discussed with the Board the possibility of hosting the National
Envirothon in N.C. in 2019. Funds will have to be raised. The Division has
indicated that if event is held in Raleigh, the NCDA might be willing to donate
funds and request staff members to volunteer. If N.C. is selected to host the
National Envirothon, the Board is in favor. McAdams moved to support the
National Envirothon event; Tate seconded.
Budget
Pope distributed information on current account balances and expenditures.
Hughes reported that new planning year is "gearing up" with January /February meetings
scheduled with the Finance Department to discuss budgetary needs. Needs and requests
for Soil & Water are due the end of February.
Today's meeting meal will be paid from the Due to Soil & Water account. Parker moved
to approve $80.00 to pay for today's meal; Tate seconded.
Miscellaneous Discussion
Pope reminded Board members of the upcoming NCASWCD Annual Meeting in
Durham on January 3 -5, 2016.
G. Hughes discussed the approved VAD and EVAD applications. The total acres of land
placed in the VAD and EVAD programs now exceeds 10,000 acres in Orange County.
With no further discussion, meeting was adjourned. Minutes prepared by L. Pope.
U01M
Morris Shambley, Secretary /Treasurer