ANNUAL PLAN
FOR THE
CONSERVATION
DISTRICT
F.Y. 2008
DECEMBER 31,
2008
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
PAGE
Table of Contents---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1
I.
Introduction----------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-3
II.
Objectives
A. Annual Objectives----------------------------------------------------- 4-7
B. Actions------------------------------------------------------------------- 4-7
C. Staffing Needs---------------------------------------------------------- 8-9
III. Cost-Share Program Requirements
A. High Priority Erosion Problems-------------------------------------- 10
B. High Priority Water Quality Problems------------------------------- 11 Table I - Cost Estimates-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12
IV.
Budget Requirements----------------------------------------------------------- 13
I. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Annual Plan is to implement the Comprehensive Plan
which was incorporated into the Lincoln County Comprehensive Local Water Plan
and to summarize the staffing needs and budget requirements to provide more
precise statements about the actions and programs to be implemented. The mission of the
1. to identify existing and potential problems and opportunities for the protection, management and development of water and related land resources; and
2.
to develop objectives and
carry out a plan of action to promote sound hydrologic management of water and
related land resources and effective environmental protection.
The Ivanhoe Office staff consisting of the Lincoln Soil and Water
Conservation District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the
Redwood Cottonwood Rivers Control Area discussed the Workload Analysis
Indicators for both the Program/Activity Approach and the Resource Needs
Approach. These Workload Analysis
Indicators were developed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service and the
Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
The Ivanhoe Field Office Staff felt that the Resource Needs Approach
(shown on the next page) reflects the program activities that will be best
addressed during the 2008 program year (highest priority being number 10).
Through the Resources Needs Approach list (shown on the next page) the following objectives will be addressed through action items implemented by the Lincoln SWCD Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service Staff and Redwood Cottonwood Rivers Control Area Staff at the Ivanhoe Office throughout the 2008 program year.
Objectives:
- Objective #1: Reduce soil erosion, sedimentation, and potential
attached pollutants and consequently improving water quality.
- Objective #2: Work to increase and protect wildlife habitat.
- Objective #3: Provide for an effective and efficient District Operation
and work with the various agencies and programs that help the district
function.
- Objective #4: Provide assistance and make available various programs
to landowners and operators.
- Objective #5: Provide services to landowners and operators through
district programs.
- Objective #6: Increase public awareness through educational,
promotional and informational activities.
It is the policy of the
Lincoln SWCD/NRCS to provide equal employment opportunity for all, without
discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin,
sex, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, disability,
sexual orientation, political beliefs or age.
RESOURCES NEEDS APPROACH
A. SOIL
Erosion
Sheet and
Rill----------------------------------------------------- 9
Wind
Concentrated
Flow------------------------------------------------ 2
Classic
Gully------------------------------------------------------ 10
Stream Bank------------------------------------------------------- 3
Irrigated
Induced
B. WATER
Quantity
Excess
Runoff/Flooding----------------------------------------- 4
Excess
Subsurface
Irrigation
Water Management
Quality
Groundwater
Contaminants------------------------------------ 7
Surface
Water Contaminants----------------------------------- 8
Aquatic
Habitat Suitability
C. AIR
Quality
Airborne
Odors
D. PLANTS
Condition
Productivity
(Cropland, Hay/Pasture
land and
Management
Establishment,
Growth, Harvest
Nutrient
Management
Endangered
Species
E. ANIMALS
Habit
Food
Cover--------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Water
Management
Endangered
Species
Manure
Management-------------------------------------------- 5
G. Human
Considerations
Population
Size
Travel Time
II. OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE #1: Reduce soil
erosion, sedimentation, and potential pollutants and consequently improving
water quality.
After the action items below are *’s that indicate those items represent more than one of the following items: Water Erosion, Wind Erosion, Flooding, Feedlot Pollution, and Sedimentation. They are as follows: *This indicates that this action item is for water erosion and sedimentation; **This indicates that this action item is for water erosion, wind erosion, and sedimentation control, ***This is for water erosion and wind erosion, and ****This is for water erosion, flooding and sedimentation.
WATER EROSION: Reduce water erosion to
5-ton or less soil loss per acre on cropland-
Actions: Increase the following practices in
-2,000 feet of
terraces per year*
-3,000 acres
of crop residue use per year (increase the surface residue level on 3,000
ac.)**
-6 acres of
sod waterway's per year
-6 acre of
critical area plantings per year
-uphold 34,000
acres CRP and continue to promote program***
-uphold 3,300
acres RIM/CREP and continue to promote programs such as these***
-increase filter strips and/or buffer strips by 250 acres through CRP and wetland restorations
-work to complete conservation plans that reflect total needs on the tract of lands
WIND EROSION: Reduce wind erosion to
5-ton or less soil loss per acre on cropland-
Actions: Promote and plan for and increase of-
-1 mile of
field windbreaks/living snowfences per year
FLOODING: Reduce flooding potential-
Actions: Increase the-
-restoration
by 1 wetland per year
-acres of buffers from CRP by 200 acres
FEEDLOT POLLUTION: Reduce feedlot pollution-
Actions: Increase the-
-number of
manure application plans by 2 per year
-number of
nutrient management on 500 acres per year
-work on
one-two feedlots per year
SEDIMENTATION: To reduce sedimentation
Actions:
-70 water and
sediment control basins per year****
-increase
rotational grazing systems by 1 system for 150 acres per year.
OBJECTIVE #2: Work to
increase and protect wildlife habitat.
Actions:
-increase the
acres of farmstead shelterbelts by 10 acres per year
-increase
wildlife tree plantings by 10 acres per year
-increase
restored wetlands by 5 acres per year
-increase riparian
buffer plantings by 100 acres per year
OBJECTIVE #3: Provide for an
effective and efficient District Operation and work with the various agencies
and programs that help the district function.
-Hold regular board meetings on the third Wednesday
of every month.
-The District will send the
county commissioner representative attending our monthly meetings the monthly
meeting notice and send all county commissioners the minutes.
-The District will staff one
full-time District Manager, one full-time Engineering Technician, one full-time
Conservation Technician, one full-time temporary Farm Bill Assistant, and one
part-time Education Coordinator to carry out the District Programs. This may change due to budget constraints.
-Necessary training provided
for all staff and supervisors in order to carry out the District Programs.
-The Memorandum's of
Understanding with other agencies will be reviewed annually by the District
Board.
-The Comprehensive Plan is the
Lincoln County Local Water Management Plan.
The District will have input into the water plan update processes.
-An Annual Plan will be
prepared and eLINK completed and distributed.
-Comment on all water
permits and review these comments with the Board.
-The District will
participate in the MASWCD, Area V Association and the NACD Programs.
-The District Manager and
one supervisor will serve on the MASWCD Annual Convention Committee.
-The District Manager will
be the Co-Plan Coordinator for the Local Water Management Plan (Water
Management Task Force) implementing the work plan items in the plan.
-The District will participate in the Water
Management Task Force meetings.
-Through the Local Water Management
Plan, the district will participate in the Ag BMP Loan Program.
-The District will participate in the SWPTSA
technical program.
-Review the Annual Plan once
a year.
-State Cost-Share practices
will be spot checked by the District Staff according to the State Cost-Share
Guidelines.
-The District Technician’s
(Sterzinger-tree practices and Madsen-all other practices unless otherwise
stated in Minutes) will be the designated Conservation District Technical
Representatives for the State Cost-Share Program.
-Monitor wells designated by
the DNR.
-Participate in the Redwood
Cottonwood Rivers Control Area (RCRCA) Joint Powers, and the RCRCA Technical
Committee when held.
-Participate in the Tillage
Transect Survey when applicable.
-Participate in the Lac qui
Parle River Watershed Team Committee and Technical Committee.
-Work with the
Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water on the implementation of the Verdi Wellhead
Protection Plan.
-Participate in the
OBJECTIVE #4: Provide
assistance and make available various programs to landowners and operators.
-The District Board will
assist in developing conservation programs with other agencies.
-The District will
participate in the Food Security Act (Swampbuster, Sodbuster and Cross
Compliance, CRP, etc.).
-Provide assistance with the Farm Bill Program, and
promote/help with the Conservation Reserve Program including the new CP38
program.
-The District will promote and implement the Buffer
Strip Program through the State C-S Program.
-Provide assistance to landowners in the
-The District will be the LGU for the Wetland
Conservation Act (WCA) Program, performing the WCA duties per BWSR guidelines.
-The District will assist
with the Clean Water Partnership Programs (study and implementation) of the
lake projects and watershed projects in
-The District will assist
with the Conservation Security Program (CSP) in the Redwood River
Watershed.
-The District will work with
the EQIP Program in implementing conservation practices and will serve on the
Local Work Group meetings.
-The District will work with
NRCS on the CRP Filter Strip Program.
-Implement practices in the EQIP project area for the Verdi Well Field, the Yellow Medicine River Watershed and the Lac qui Parle River Watershed and the entire county.
OBJECTIVE #5: Provide
services to landowners and operators through district and water plan programs.
-Promote and plan for sale
of 55,000 trees.
-Provide a Living Snowfence
Program and make 10-contacts in areas that MN DOT and the County have
identified for the Living Snowfence Program/Field Windbreaks.
-District Technician will
keep the Townships informed on the available tree programs as requested/needed.
-District Technician will
make follow-up contacts on all tree plantings.
-District Technician will
make 30 contacts to promote the tree program.
-Promote and encourage landowners/operators to plant
500 high residue acres with a No-Till Drill.
-Provide technical assistance to landowners on
conservation practices.
-Provide technical
assistance to landowners on feedlot waste management systems and the Open Lot
Agreement.
-Provide assistance through
implementation of the Ag Best Management Practices Loan Program: Ag Waste
Systems, Conservation Practices, Conservation Tillage Equipment, and ISTS’s.
-Work with the multiple local
lenders for the Ag BMP Loan Program, which consists of Farm Credit Services; Lincoln
County-Septic Systems only; and any other banks associated with the program.
OBJECTIVE #6: Increase
public awareness through educational, promotional and informational activities.
-Write and publish news
articles covering district programs/activities and water plan activities
through the county newspapers when necessary.
-Write and publish the joint
agency newsletter approximately three times throughout the year.
-Coordinate the Poster
Contest material, going to the schools in the county and presenting a short
program on the materials to appropriate grade levels.
-Give presentations to
schools, 4-H groups, senior citizen groups, civic groups.
-Education Coordinator will coordinate
and present programs in the schools on the following programs, including but
not limited to: Ag Stravaganza, Arbor Day Program, Wild Aquatic, Project
Learning Tree, Project Wild, Farm and Food Bytes, Educational Modules.
-Promote the Soil
Stewardship Week Material to all churches in
-Give presentations for senior citizen groups, 4H
groups, libraries.
-Participate in the County parades and fair booth.
-Participate in the Farmer Magazine Award Program.
-Promote and plan for an annual 4th grade field day.
-Assist with the SWMACDE the
Environmental Fair held in September.
-Assist with the Women’s Day Program.
-Assist with the Area Envirothon in April at
Staffing Needs:
-Workload Analysis (Staffing Needs)
Worksheet for Conservation Practices:
-Fiscal
Year 2008 is based on 5 man-years as follows-
SWCD-Engineering Technician 1 man year
SWCD-Conservation Technician 1 man year
SWCD-Farm Bill Assistant 1 man year
NRCS-District Conservationist 1 man year
NRCS-Soil Conservation Technician 1 man year
MAN-YEARS
PRACTICES:
2008
Conservation Cover (CRP, Buffers) .4
Conservation Tillage .15
Terraces .1
Contour Strip cropping .05
Contour Farming .05
Waterways .45
Water & Sediment Control Basins 1.0
Field Windbreaks .05
Farmstead Shelterbelts .55
Pits .00
Dams .00
Ag Waste Systems .2
Pasture Management .05
Rotational Grazing .25
Wildlife
Wetland Management .1
River Basins & Watersheds .1
Planning 1.
Total Staff-Years Available
for 2008: 5.0
District Manager and Education Coordinator are not
included in the above man years
Staff-Years
Available - (District Staff Only)
Based
on 4.5 person years -
ADMINISTRATIVE/CLERICAL TECHNICAL
District Manager .9 .1
Engineering Technician .2 .8
Conservation Technician .4 .6
District Technician .1
Easement Technician .6 .4
Educational Coordinator .4
Workload
Analysis Worksheet - (District Staff Only - No NRCS Staff)
Based
on 4.5 man years per year -
ONE
STAFF YEAR
ACTIVITY
ADMINISTRATIVE/CLERICAL TECHNICAL
Tree Program
.95 .7
Conservation Practices*
Cost-Share Program
.2 .9
Education, Promotion and
Informational Programs
.4
District Operations-Plans, Reports,
Financial Affairs, RIM, etc.
.85 .25
Comprehensive Local Water Plan .25
*Excludes
the Field Windbreak, Farmstead Shelterbelt and Wildlife Practices
III. COST-SHARE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
It is the responsibility of the Lincoln SWCD to
administer the state cost-share program to establish sound conservation
practices that eliminate, or greatly reduce, an erosion or water quality
problem during their effective life.
According to their job approval authority, Dale Sterzinger will be the
technical representative on all tree practices and Ron Madsen will be the
technical representative on all other practices unless otherwise stated in
minutes. The Cost-Share rate as set by
the Board for 2008, is not to exceed the 75%.
A. High Priority Erosion
Problems:
High priority erosion problems means:
"areas
where erosion from wind or water is occurring equal to, or in excess of, 2 X T
tons per acre per year or is occurring on any area that exhibits active gully
erosion or is identified as high priority in the comprehensive local water
plan."
Lands in
B. High Priority Water Quality Problems:
High Priority
Water Quality Problems means:
"Areas
where sediment, nutrients, chemicals, or other pollutants discharge to
Department of Natural Resources designated protected waters or to any high
priority waters as identified in a comprehensive local water plan, or discharge
to a sinkhole or groundwater. The
pollutant delivery rate to the water source is in amounts that will impair the
quality or usefulness of the water resource”.
From the Lincoln County
Environmental Office, there are a total of 651 registered feedlots in
Most of the high priority feedlots are near
The practices needed to
solve the problems are: holding ponds, water and sediment control basins, clean
water diversions, waste storage areas, and filter strips, buffers, hoop barns, waste
disposal systems.
High priority sediment areas
are shown on the Critical Sedimentation Map (Map found on Page 13-outlined
areas). They can be characterized as
areas near
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