HALL COUNTY SWCD 2014 ANNUAL PLAN OF WORK

SOIL RESOURCES
OBJECTIVE 1: Control erosion and improve water quality to preserve and protect our soil and water resources.

ACTION ITEMS:
1. The District will take the lead in implementing the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to develop a long lasting beneficial program that will reduce erosion from agricultural land and improve water quality in streams and lakes. The District will convene and chair the local work group meetings. The results from these meetings will be used to provide input to the State Technical Committee, State Conservationist, Area Conservationist, and Designated Conservationist on EQIP policy, priority concerns, priority areas, and selection criteria. Work Group Meetings will be held and a resource assessment submitted to the Area Office for technical review.
2. Develop conservation plans with emphasis on erosion control and water quality and carry out high quality conservation practices. Work towards providing assistance to alllandownersllandusers in applying conservation practices in compliance with the Food Security Act of 1985; the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act (FACTA) of 1990; and the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act of 1996, and the Farm Security & Rural Investment Act of 2002 and 2007 Farrn Bill.

GOALS OR OBJECTIVES FOR 2014
a. Assist Individuals and Groups b. Conservation Systems c. Government Agencies Assisted d. Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Reviews e. Conservation Tillage System f. Critical Area Planting g. Tree Planting h. Pasture and Hayland Planting i. Heavy Use Area Protection j. Waste Utilization k. Land Benefited By Applying Conservation Practices

300 number 1,400 acres
20 number 200 number 500 acres 110 acres 50 acres 360 acres
4 number 1,000 acres 3,500 acres

3. Sponsor and conduct demonstrations, tours, and field days to acquaint landowners and land-users with methods for protecting the natural resources and promote greater participation.
4. Promote conservation tillage on all cropland.
OBJECTIVE II: Use each acre according to its capabilities within a system that provides maximum benefits to land and people.

ACTION ITEMS: 1. Participate in development and implementation of Comprehensive Land Use Plan for District. 2. Continue to participate in public meetings involving land use decisions and water quality. 3. Encourage RC&D and/or watershed project to help solve strearnbank erosion and encourage this as a priority concern to be addressed
by EQIP. 4. Encourage all landowners and land lessors to plan and carry out conservation practices in compliance with the Food Security Act of
1985; the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act (FACTA) of 1990; and the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act of 1996; the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 and the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2009. 5. Provide technical assistance to Hall County Commissioners and State on vegetative plans for right-of-way grassing. 6. The District will meet the requirements and responsibilities in reviewing erosion and sediment control plans.

7. Offer the opportunity for training to meet the requirements of erosion and sedimentation control. 8. Provide information and leadership for implementation of the Conservation Provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985; the Food,
Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act (FACTA) of 1990; and the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act of 1996 and the 2007 Farm Bill.
OBJECTIVE Ill: Encourage and promote conservation tillage practices.
ACTION ITEMS: 1. Purchase, in accordance with State purchasing guidelines, and manage the use of equipment that will demonstrate methods for
implementing soil and water conservation practices. 2. Promote better knowledge and understanding of the use and safety of agricultural chemicals for conservation uses.
OBJECTIVE IV: Assist local units of government in carrying out erosion and sediment control ordinances.
ACTION ITEMS: 1. Review erosion and sediment control plans, as presented to the District by local governments. 2. Assist Hall County and City of Gainesville Engineering Departments, and other local units of government with technical questions and
problem areas when requested. 3. Encourage and assist all Hall County issuing authorities to fully implement and perform needed maintenance on all approved plans.
WATER RESOURCES
OBJECTIVE V: Conservation and wise use of water resources to insure an adequate supply of quality water for the future.
ACTION ITEMS: 1. Develop or purchase and then distribute, educational, and informational materials to inform the public of the need to manage and
protect soil and water resources. 2. Identify during the EQIP process the best management practices determined to be the most effective, practical means for preventing or
reducing problems that impair water quality. 3. Provide technical assistance to the Lanier Watershed Regional Committee on the wise use of the resources in the Chattahoochee River
Basin. Include all committees concerned with Lake Lanier, in protecting water quality and reducing the depositing of silt in the Lake. 4. Work with sponsors to carry out needed operation and maintenance (O&M) work on all watershed and RC&D projects. 5. Encourage O&M on all conservation measures installed by landowners. 6. Encourage units of government to assume responsibility for controlling development in flood plains. 7. Work closely with RC&D Council in providing technical assistance to units of government (sponsors) in developing and carrying out
RC&D measures. 8. Keep local people informed of opportunities available through the soil and water resources programs in District. 9. Promote animal waste systems where needed and encourage maintenance of systems already established, including the use of
pumpout equipment. 10. Encourage County and City Commissioners to incorporate provisions in the zoning regulations to control the rate of stormwater runoff to
prevent off-site damages. 11. Seek assistance in stabilizing streambanks within the District. 12. Assist County and State Governments in locating sites and assist in construction of area water reservoirs. 13. Promote the construction of as many farm ponds as possible for water conservation. 14. Assist local governments to address potential water quantity and quality problems within District. 15. Assist local governments to address wastewater problems within District.

16. Encourage all landowners/land users to be aware of the potential of surface and ground water contamination without the use of planned resource management systems.
17. Promote the best management practices determined to be the most effective, practicable means for preventing or reducing the amount of pollution from non-point sources to a level called for by water quality goals.
18. Encourage local sponsors to perform necessary maintenance on Hall County Floodwater Retarding Dams. Assist Soil and Water Conservation Commission (SWCC) in inventory and defining rehabilitation work needed to upgrade Floodwater Retarding Dams to meet the Safe Dams Law.

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND EDUCATION
OBJECTIVE VI: Provide resource conservation instruction to public.

ACTION ITEMS:

1. Sponsor and conduct meetings and seminars to inform groups and individuals of particular conservation needs.

2. Provide conservation education materials to schools, videotapes, slide presentations, film programs, resource conservation books,

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booklets and curriculum guides, etc. Provide assistance with land judging contests, Envirothon, and other activities.

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3. Arrange and conduct functions like banquets, luncheons and cookouts to recognize individuals for their contributions to soil and water

conservation and promote greater participation.

4. Select place for Affiliate Member Banquet and have date and speaker by June Board Meeting.

5. Have District Annual Report by time of the Affiliate Member Banquet.

6. Have Annual Plan of Work completed by February Board Meeting.

7. Sponsor students to the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop to introduce them at an early age to the concepts of soil and water conservation. Tuition will be paid from district funds and from outside sources. Invite students to Annual Banquet and recognize them.

8. Assist Hall County Board of Education in planning and carrying out conservation plans and developing outdoor classrooms on each school site.

9. Review progress of Annual Plan of Work and have Chairman of each committee report at meeting each quarter.

10. Enter all awards programs.

11. Memorandum of Understanding and Supplemental Memorandum of Understanding between District and USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service will be reviewed in April.

12 Supervisor will try to give one program at local school or civic organization.

13. Recognize people doing a good job of development with a written letter from Supervisors.

14. Sponsor land judging teams and Envirothon teams in FFA and 4-H Clubs and Hall County High Schools.

15. Use Earth Team Volunteers for conservation education and recreation activities.

16. Work with the Extension Service to encourage and promote Farm City Week.

FORESTRY RESOURCES
OBJECTIVE VII: Conservation and wise use of forest resources to maintain the forestry resource base.
ACTION ITEMS: 1. Promote the reforestation of cutover areas. 2. Have GFC representative to participate in one (1) District meeting program. 3. Support the GFC and RC&D in maintaining the forestry resource base. 4. Encourage landowners to put marginal land into timber producing trees. 5. Encourage forest landowners to consider management for wildlife in their woodland management programs.

LEGISLATIVE
OBJECTIVE VIII: Gain support of public officials in recognizing and meeting soil and water conservation needs.

ACTION ITEMS: 1. Have State Legislators, Board of County Commissioners, and other selected elected officials at one (1) District meeting to discuss
natural resources, etc. 2. Support and promote legislation that is beneficial to soil and water conservation districts in their conservation efforts. 3. Make views of the District Board of Supervisors known to Legislators. 4. Conduct activities to inform county, city, state and federal officials about District programs. 5. Work closely with GACDS to keep local District's informed on state and local legislative needs. 6. Present Annual Plan of Work and Annual Report to County Commissioners. 7. Evaluate the feasibility of a State cost-share program to supplement the EQIP Program to meet conservation needs. 8. Support development of reservoirs for storage of water.

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WILDLIFE AND RECREATION

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OBJECTIVE IX:

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Provide diversified wildlife and outdoor recreation in all resource plans that the District sponsors. 1

ACTION ITEMS: 1. Encourage private landowners to make wildlife management part of their resource plan.
2. Support Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Game and Fish Division, in maintaining the wildlife resource base.
3. Encourage and coordinate with the school district to develop neighborhood parks and, where appropriate, team sport facilities on school property for joint use.
4. Assist landowners with pond construction, and proper stocking with fish and with fertilization programs for new ponds. Provide assistance to landowners with existing ponds to improve management programs. Cooperate with DNR, Game and Fish Division, in providing information and assistance to landowners on fish and wildlife programs.

SOIL AND WATER STEWARDSHIP AND INFORMATION
OBJECTIVE X: Conduct thorough District information program.
ACTION ITEMS: 1. Observe Soil and Water Stewardship Week each year and promote soil and water stewardship every day of the year. 2. Purchase, in accordance with State purchasing guidelines, and distribute Soil and Water Stewardship Week materials to inform the
public of the need to manage and protect soil and water resources. 3. Distribute the Governor's Proclamation, other promotional material and provide news stories to media. 4. Prepare stewardship materials for distribution at the April meeting. 5. Utilize slide presentations, videotapes, etc. with civic clubs, churches and others. 6. Promote public relations and foster relationships with other agencies and organizations by having at least one (1) demonstration or tour
on natural resource conservation.

FINANCE
OBJECTIVE XI: 1. Seek outside sources of income to strengthen and support district activities and programs. 2. Send out invitations to support District programs by becoming an Affiliate Member in February. 3. Encourage Hall County Board of Commissioners to budget no less than $7,500.00 to assist District program. 4. Explore avenues of grant funds available Ia Districts. 5. Manage and expend funds made available through private, local, state and federal sources in such a way as to promote soil and water
conservation and conservation education. 6. Maintain membership in professional organizations and associations that promulgate and promote goals that are similar to those of the
districts including but not limited to RC&D, GACDS, and NACD.
OBJECTIVE XII: 1. Support the Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D Council in carrying out their program. 2. Attend all RC&D Council meetings. 3. Encourage GACDS-RC&D Council for better understanding and appreciation of all programs of RC&D and Districts.
This Annual Plan of Work coincides with GACDS Annual Plan of Work and Hall County Soil and Water Conservation District Long-Range Plan.
District Supervisors
Mike R. Haynes, Chairman Larry Nix, Secretary/Treasurer
Sewell Blackstock, Member Jane R. Hemmer, Member Gene Anderson, Member