Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District annual plan of work, FY 2014 7/1/13-6/30/14

Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District
Annual Plan of Work FY 2014
7/1/13 6/30/14
District Identity:
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District was constituted as an agency of State Government by the authority and under provision of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District Law of 1937 on July 22nd, 1939. The District comprises Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, and Seminole Counties. Two Supervisors from each county, one elected and one appointed, serve on the eighteen-member Board. The Board is made up of farmers, landowners, and land-users that are dedicated to the conservation, development, and protection of our natural resources.
District meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month beginning at 9:30 a.m. at locations designated at the prior monthly meeting. Demonstrations, tours, and special meetings are held periodically with proper notification and location given.
Major Objectives:
The Annual Plan of Work establishes the major objectives for the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District for Fiscal Year 2014. The following objectives will be planned, developed, and implemented under partnership with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Natural Resource Conservation:
Promote the conservation of soil, water, and timber resources as well as wildlife habitat restoration, and other related resources. Work with government agencies and conservation organizations to assist in planning, developing and implementing conservation programs. Provide local direction and priorities for government funded technical assistance. Maintain funding for the Flint River Basin Partnership which is a partnership between the Flint River SWCD, USDANRCS, and The Nature Conservancy.
Conservation Education:
Educate the general public on the need for and the importance of conservation. Work with others in planning, developing, and implementing seminars, programs, contests, etc. that are used for the purpose of conservation education.
Public Relations:
Create public awareness of District conservation programs, objectives and activities through the news media and foster this awareness by keeping the general public informed on conservation issues and concerns.

Action Items:
1. Natural Resource Conservation:
Assume leadership role in setting priorities, ranking applications, and awarding funds for federal and state funded conservation programs.
Sponsor and conduct demonstrations, tours, and field days to acquaint farmers and land-users with methods for protecting soil and water resources and promote greater participation and compliance with best management practices. Seek outside financial sources, if necessary, to hold these events.
Work to obtain funds that will be targeted to increase irrigation efficiency and uniformity for inefficient systems and educate producers of the savings in cost and water loss due to inefficient systems.
Work to obtain funds that will be targeted to incorporate irrigation BMP's that will be used to demonstrate to producer's ways in which they can better conserve agricultural water resources.
Assist land-users in the implementation of low pressure drop nozzle retrofits, remote soil moisture monitoring, sod based rotation and variable rate irrigation technology.
Assist land-users in applying best management practices that provide benefits to soil, water, wildlife, etc.
Provide technical assistance to evaluate soil and water resources for proposed public facility sites.
Provide technical training to farmers, crop consultants and conservationists in the District.
Provide soils information with interpretations to developers for the use in development of Erosion and Sediment Control Plan.
Provide technical and educational assistance to local issuing authorities in implementing their erosion and sediment control ordinance.
Review and approve Erosion and Sediment Controls Plans within the jurisdiction of local issuing authorities as deemed necessary under the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Law of Georgia.
Assist any interested issuing authority in obtaining a Memorandum of Agreement between themselves and the District, and, to periodically review their erosion and sediment control ordinance and program.
Maintain funding for the Flint River Basin Partnership (FRBP), which is a partnership between the Flint River SWCD, USDANRCS, and The Nature Conservancy focused on agricultural water conservation.
2. Conservation Education:
Sponsor at least two students from the District to attend the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop. Provide funds, if necessary, for transportation of students to the workshop. Tuition will be paid from District funds or from outside sources.
Work with School Systems to build outdoor classrooms featuring waterbased processes within the District Boundary.
Partner with the Center for Wildlife Education to host the "Birds of Prey Demonstration" at area schools.

Assist school curriculum advisors by providing natural resources conservation books, booklets, curriculum guides, and instructional seminars.
Provide slide presentations with specific information on soil and water conservation for presentations to schools, civic clubs, churches, etc.
Sponsor other 4H, FFA, or other youth organizations in conservation related activities.
Manage and expend funds made available through private, local, state, and federal sources in such a way as to promote natural resource conservation and related education.
Sponsor Erosion & Sediment Control Level 1A, 1B, and Level II Certification Classes and Awareness Courses to educate issuing authorities on their responsibilities under the erosion and sedimentation laws of Georgia.
Promote onthefarm field days to local teachers involved with science, biology, agriculture, etc. Provide assistance in conducting field days.
3. Public Relations:
Pay dues and take an active role in the Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors and the National Association of Conservation Districts. Assist in sponsoring individual Supervisors to attend the activities of these organizations.
Work closely with other agencies and organizations (Golden Triangle Resources Conservation & Development Council, Farm Service Agency, UGA's Cooperative Extension Service, Georgia Forestry Commission, Department of Natural Resources, and other related groups) to coordinate conservation activities in the District. Encourage each agency or organization to attend District Board meetings.
Keep the general public informed of conservation programs that are available through local, state, and federal agencies. Sponsor and conduct meetings to inform groups and individuals of particular conservation needs.
Develop and distribute an Annual Report of the District's accomplishments at the end of the fiscal year.
Prepare and distribute news articles on District programs and activities. Contact television stations regarding District events.
Invite elected governing officials (local, state, and federal) to District functions so that they are aware of conservation concerns, programs, and accomplishments.
Work to complete the county plat books for each county in the District. Properly manage funds received from the sale of the books in order to meet District goals and objectives.
Seek outside sources of income to strengthen and support District activities and programs. Manage District financial and material resources to meet goals in an efficient and productive manner, and, as prescribed by state guidelines.