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Meeting Information
> Current Programs > Annual
Plan
LINCOLN
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
ANNUAL WORK PLAN 2008
PURPOSE:
The purpose of the Lincoln Conservation District is to promote sustainable
resource management for all natural resources in the county.
MISSION :
To
promote and protect the natural resources of Lincoln County , Montana
. Lincoln Conservation District will continue to educate the public
and work to foster better understanding between all parties concerned
with the protection of our natural resources.
DISTRICT BOUNDARIES:
Lincoln
Conservation District covers all of Lincoln County , except within
the city limits of Libby and Troy .
I. District Operations :
A. Administration of the Natural
Streambed and Land Preservation Act (310 Law)
1. Process 310 applications, perform site visits, provide technical
assistance and perform follow-up inspections according to state
law and district policies and procedures.
2. Investigate 310 violation complaints and take appropriate actions
following state law and district policies and procedures.
B.
Fiscal Management
1. Develop and manage an annual budget that balances the annual
revenue with the operating costs of the district.
2. Keep appraised of funding opportunities; provide grant administration
services and administrative assistance while following all pertinent
legal requirements.
3. Annually file all appropriate tax documentation and reports of
the districts financial activities.
4.
Keep apprised of payroll expectations and responsibilities and file
quarterly, all tax documentation and reports required by State &
Federal agencies.
C.
Public Relations
1. Maintain a positive working relationship with the USDA-Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and efficiently use their
technical and financial assistance programs.
2. Maintain a positive working relationship with Department of Natural
Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Conservation Districts Bureau
and Kootenai River Network (KRN) and utilize their technical support
and financial services.
3. Provide board membership and dues to the Northwest Regional Resource,
Development and Conservation (RC&D).
4. Maintain membership and support of the following organizations;
Montana Association of Conservation Districts (MACD), National Association
of Conservation Districts (NACD).
5. Provide board member representation for the following organizations;
Montana Watershed Incorporated (MWI), National Carbon Offset Coalition
(NCOC) and the Kootenai River Network (KRN).
6. Provide district representation and/or assistance to local watershed
groups.
7. Attend the 2007 Area 5 MACD meeting hosted by Missoula CD.
8. Attend the 2007 MACD Annual Meeting in Great Falls .
9. Provide board representation and/or assistance to State Committees
when appropriate.
10. Promote Lincoln Conservation District (LCD) activities to the
public and to our elected officials to educate them on the accomplishments
of LCD.
11. Support the activities of the Lincoln County Weed and Rodent
Board.
12. Provide support for Glen Lake Irrigation District ( GLID ) in
water conservation and fish screening practices.
13. Support the activities of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP),
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&WS), U.S. Forest Service
(USFS) and Montana State University Cooperative Extension Service
(CES) and other agencies when we have mutually beneficial interests.
14. Maintain website to post LCD meeting notices, minutes, etc.
and to promote public awareness of conservation district activities.
15. Monitor and maintain highway signs at our borders.
16.
Create and provide an age/grade appropriate educational curriculum
for school children so that they may become aware of the concept
of conservation as a whole and present it to the schools within
the county in an ongoing basis.
17.
Continue to build positive working relationships with the County
Commissioners and the Town of Eureka in a positive and informational
manner.
18.
Create a positive working relationship with the Town of Libby in
an exchange of information and ideas.
D.
Conservation Education
1. Coordinate with the County Extension Service and County Weed
Control on a Weed Control Workshop.
2.
Creation of a short, monthly newsletter to be mailed out and handed
out at no charge that will include information and educational text
for the general public.
3.
Provide educational materials on voluntary Best Management Practices
(BMP’s) that protect soil and water quality.
4. Provide educational materials on noxious weed management and
prudent use of herbicides and chemicals.
5. Provide educational opportunities for LCD Board Supervisors and
staff to keep them apprised of pertinent conservation practices
and build their leadership skills as well as changing requirements
in law and statutes.
6. Provide educational materials to irrigators to improve their
water and nutrient management efficiencies.
7. Promote educational mini-grants for youth educational programs.
8. Support student participation in the Natural Resources Youth
Camp, Envirothon and other youth education programs.
9. Promote the use of the Rolling Rivers watershed trailer.
10. Provide educational materials and supplies for youth education
programs.
11. Participate and promote the Lincoln County Stewardship Coalition.
12.
Set up a booth and participate in the Lincoln County Fair in Eureka
to promote the 310 law and educate the public regarding the law
as well as the process and permitting. This may be done along with
the County Weed Control or as a stand alone booth.
13.
Work with Larry Benson, LCHS Science Teacher, to promote a team
for the MT State Envirothon.
14.
Develop a Rural Living Handbook that will introduce current and
prospective rural landowners to resources for country living and
land stewardship.
15.
Coordinate a Realtor Workshop to be held in the Spring of 2008.
II. Conservation Priorities and District Activities:
A. Water Quality and Quantity
1. Provide technical assistance in the implementation of Best Management
Practices for implementation of 310 projects.
2. Provide assistance on irrigation water management that improves
water use and delivery system efficiencies.
3. Promote the use of fish screening structures and in-stream structures
that address fish passage needs.
4. Publicize NRCS Snow Survey data to aid landowners in planning
water availability based on snow pack and moisture content by drainage.
5. Utilize the Rolling Riverstrailer to demonstrate land management
activities and its relationship to water quality and stream bank
stability.
6. Assist in the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
on impaired streams in Lincoln County and promote conservation activities
that address TMDL issues.
7. Increase public knowledge of TMDLs and the role of watershed
groups in watershed planning.
B.
Forest Management
1. Provide technical and administrative assistance in the implementation
of Multi-Resource Stewardship Cost Share programs.
2. Promote the use of low impact fuels reduction equipment that
reduces fire danger while protecting soil and water resources.
3. Participate in Forestry/Conservation Workshops scheduled in Lincoln
County .
4. Assist NRCS with EQIP projects for promotion of forest management
practices that improve the defensible space around homes and create
a fire resilient forest.
5. Review and comment on State and Federal timber supply issues
and proposals; to promote a sustainable supply of timber to Lincoln
County mills.
6. Promote forest stewardship on small private lands in Lincoln
County .
7. Participate in Libby and Troy 5th grade forestry tours and Ant
Flat Days.
8. Collaborate with USFS, DNRC and private landowners and provide
assistance that will reduce the fire risk in priority areas.
9. Provide tree seedling sales for reforestation and shelterbelts
through conservation nurseries.
10. Explore opportunities for reforestation that would qualify for
the Carbon Offset program.
11. Explore opportunities in Forest Stewardship contracting on USFS
lands.
12. Support initiatives for value-added manufacturing and small
diameter wood utilization for Lincoln County ’s small forestland
owners.
13. Promote programs that provide a quantifiable improvement of
habitat for wildlife.
14. Participate and promote Lincoln County Stewardship Coalition.
C. Dryland Farming, Grazing Lands
and Small Acreage Management
1. Provide assistance in noxious weed management, mitigation and
prevention.
2. Promote and manage North Lincoln County weed sprayers for the
County Weed and Rodent Board.
3. Assist the County Extension Agent and County Weed Board in providing
pesticide applicator training.
4. Manage Brillion Seeder rental programs in north and south Lincoln
County .
5. Provide technical assistance on the management of small acreage
to current and prospective landowners.
6. Support initiatives for value added products for Lincoln County
’s small agricultural producers.
7. Provide assistance in wildlife habitat, shelterbelts, erosion
control measures and riparian habitat improvements.
8. Initiate demonstration projects that promote land use conservation
practices and promote the visibility of Lincoln Conservation District
to the public, i.e. L Hill beautification project, Eureka Riverwalk
trail and Libby Revitalization projects.
D. Land Use Planning
1. Work with County Commissioners and participate on the County
Planning Board in reviewing land use proposals to help maintain
the integrity and sustainability of Lincoln County natural resources.
2. Participate in watershed and basin groups in order to coordinate
overlapping projects.
3. Monitor cumulative effects of land use activities in Lincoln
County and provide comments or assistance within the capabilities
and resources of the Lincoln Conservation District.
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