MCDUFFIE COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION
DISTRICT
FY-2013
ANNUAL PLAN OF WORK

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THE DISTRICT'S IDENTITY:
The McDuffie County Soil and Water Conservation District is an agency of State Government established October 31, 1979, by authority and under provision of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation District Law of 1937. The Board is made up of farmers, landowners and land-users that are dedicated to the conservation, development and protection of our land, water, forest, wildlife and related resources for the benefit of mankind.
THE DISTRICT SUPERVISORS ARE:
Carroll C. Burton..............Chairman Larry D. Morris..................Member
Donald Palmer, Jr.............. Member George Reeves ................Treasurer Frederick R. Vergeer........Vice-Chairman
MEETINGS:
Meetings are held regularly on the FIRST MONDAY of each month at 11:30 a.m. at Ryan's Steakhouse in Thomson. Demonstrations, tours and special meetings are held at other times and places with proper notification given.

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McDuffie County Soil & Water Conservation District
Annual Resource Conservation
Action Plan - FY-2013
This Annual Resource Conservation Action Plan establishes the major objectives for the McDuffie County Soil and Water Conservation District during the year. It emphasizes conservation treatment of natural resources within the District.
A. MAJOR OBJECTIVES:
1. State Expenditures - The district supervisors will follow state guidelines in all district expenditures.
2. Soil Resources - Promote the conservation treatment of soil, water, and related resources based on the annual plans of operation for the District and NRCS, and the District's five-year resource plan.
3. Land Use- Make the public aware that the District is fully committed to land development consistent with established soil erosion and sedimentation control measures.
4. Forestry - Encourage good forestry management on existing forestland in McDuffie County.
5. Wildlife Conservation - Promote the conservation of wildlife resources.
6. Natural Areas & Historic Sites - Promote the preservation of natural areas and historic sites.
7. Recreation- Encourage the use of land, waters and related natural resources for recreation in a manner that protects the resources base.
8. Conservation Education - Emphasize conservation education as an integral component in the local school curriculum.
9. Public Relations & Information - To create public awareness of district conservation programs and objectives.
10. City & County Units of Government- Provide technical assistance to local units of government.
11. Affiliate Membership Program - In an effort to broaden the base of participation and interest in soil and water conservation, a group of selected citizens, businesses, farmers, etc., will be enlisted to provide financial support for the district program.

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SOIL RESOURCES
ACTION ITEM
1. Seek funding for the development and upkeep of outdoor classroom at the new high school.
2. Promote minimum and no-till conservation farming through public meetings, demonstrations projects and news media.
3. Assist land-users to apply best management practices that will reduce annual soil loss to no greater that four tons per acre.
4. Develop resource conservation plans for cropland needing treatment.
5. Develop with County Commissioners a vegetative plan for roadbanks and encourage the completion of the project including second year fertilization.
6. Attend and participate in local work group meetings. Promote the practices of erosion control and water quality or priorities for the EQIP program. Encourage landowners to participate in approved priority areas ..
7. Implement program activities with the Natural Resources Conservation Service that adequately protects the 1,500 acres of cropland in McDuffie County.
8. Provide assistance to landowners to plan and apply conservation practices.

ACTION ITEM

LAND USE

1. Work with city and county units of government to consider prime farmland before making land use decisions that could jeopardize the preservation of prime farmland in McDuffie County.
2. Assist local government officials in developing and implementing land use plans and farmland protection policies. (LESA)
3. Recommend to local government officials that subdivision plans not be approved unless an erosion and sediment control plan is approved by the district.

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4. Provide soils information with interpretations to developers for the development of erosion and sediment control plans.
5. Develop water quality projects - seek EPA funding. 6. Work closely with the county commissioners in implementing the
county's erosion and sediment control ordinance.
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
ACTION ITEM 1. Provide game management recommendations to landowners requesting assistance. 2. Coordinate fishpond management program with NRCS, DNR and Extension Service to promote proper stocking and management.
NATURAL AREAS & HISTORIC SITES
ACTION ITEM 1. Provide technical assistance to the McDuffie County Historical Society to develop conservation plans that include vegetative and beautification alternatives for historic sites. 2. Provide watershed information and headwater locations on soil survey maps for natural area consideration.
CONSERVATION EDUCATION
ACTION ITEM 1. Recruit high school students to attend the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop at Middle Georgia College in Tifton, Georgia.
2. Assist county school superintendent or curriculum advisors by providing resources conservation books, booklets and curriculum guides and giving instructional talks.
3. Utilize slide presentations with specific information on soil and water conservation for presentations to schools, civic clubs, churches and others.

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4. Participate in Career Day activities at Thomson High School. 5. Assist 4-H Club and FFA Chapter with land-judging training.
6. Sponsor soil and water conservation essay contest for high school students.
7. Work with the McDuffie County school system in developing an outdoor Natural Resources Conservation Study area on school grounds.
8. Develop an outdoor study area including Nature Trails at the McDuffie County closed landfill on Messena Road.
9. Expand the affiliate member program in contacting potential member.
10. Promote and support the Environmental Education Project at the McDuffie Environmental Resources Center. Encourage volunteers to participate in the education program.
PUBLIC RELATIONS & INFORMATION
ACTION ITEM 1. Work closely with other agencies (CFSA, FHA, Cooperative Extension Service, Georgia Forestry Commission, and DNR) to coordinate conservation program activities in the district. Encourage each agency representative to attend board meetings and keep district supervisors informed on the various agency programs in the district. 2. Enter GACDS Publicity Awards Contest.
3. Sponsor the annual conservation awards banquet in October. 4. Develop and distribute annual report on the district's
accomplishments.
5. Prepare news articles on the district's program and activities.
6. Invite public government officials to all district functions to make them aware of district goals.

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7. Develop educational programs to provide information on the district. Present slide programs to civic and garden clubs, schools, farm organizations and women's clubs in the county.
8. Keep local elected officials fully informed about the conservation problems on on-going conservation programs and accomplishments to meet the objectives of the district.
GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
ACTION ITEM - McDuffie County Commission
1. Perform land use and treatment site plan reviews for county government to give advice on the adequacy of land use and treatment standards. (Erosion and Sediment Control)
2. Provide technical assistance to evaluate soil and water resources for proposed public facility sites.
3. Present information on Land Evaluation and Site Assessment to McDuffie County Commissioners.
ACTION ITEM - City of Thomson
1. Review erosion and sediment control plans for development within the city limits of Thomson that falls under the requirements of the erosion and sediment control ordinance adopted by the City of Thomson.
SPECIAL EVENTS
1. Sponsor a mini-conservation workshop for 4-H, FFA and other interested students. Participating agencies will include NRCS, DNR, Extension Service, Georgia Forestry Commission and FSA.
2. Promote the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop.
3. The McDuffie County Soil and Water Conservation District will participate in the NACO Conservation Tillage Information Center Program.
4. Observe Soil and Water Stewardship Week throughout the district during the National Week of Observance.

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The following activities will be accomplished by the district Supervisors:
! Plan a meeting in April at Carroll Burton's Farm to coincide with a visit to the farm by McDuffie County Students.
! Initiate Governor's Proclamation with County Commissioners and distributes promotional material and provides news stories to all media.
! Contact all local agricultural agencies, organizations, garden clubs, farm bureau, civic clubs, school superintendent and ministers requesting full cooperation in soil and water stewardship activities.
! Contact local businesses, motels, restaurants, theaters, banks, etc., and request that they display soils and water stewardship promotional materials.
! Prepare and distribute minister's packets. ! Initiate special activities, essay and poster contests, etc. to involve young
people in soil and water stewardship programs.
5. Co-Sponsor with the Georgia Forestry Commission a woodland management seminar.
6. Select a site for a constructed wetland for a home or small business waste disposal system.
7. Recognize an outstanding conservationist at the annual conservation awards banquet in October.
8. Seek information on the eradication of fire ants.

ACTION ITEM

RC&D

1. Work toward the goal to make every landowner in the county aware of the benefits of the use of no-till equipment.

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FORESTRY ACTION ITEM
1. Work with Georgia Forestry Commission/County Forester to sponsor reforestation demonstration that includes artificial, and natural regeneration methods.
2. Work with Georgia Forestry Commission to co-sponsor saw mill tour.
3. Refer landowners to the Georgia Forestry Commission for forestry planning and management assistance.
4. Work with County Forestry committee to develop plan for converting marginal cropland and cutover timberland to soil conserving uses.
5. Distribute information of the advantages of planting long leaf pines to landowners in the county.
Revised June, 2012