Pine Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District annual plan of work, fy 2014, 7/1/13 - 6/30/14

Pine Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District
Annual Plan of Work FY 2014
7/1/13 6/30/14
District Identity: The Pine Mountain 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 17th, 1939. The Board is made up of farmers, landowners, and land-users that are dedicated to the conservation, development, and protection of natural resources. The District is comprised of Chattahoochee, Harris, Marion, Muscogee, and Talbot Counties. Two supervisors from each county, one elected and one appointed, serve on the tenmember Board.
Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month beginning at 11:30 p.m. at the Four Winds Restaurant located outside of Buena Vista, Georgia or the Marion County High School. Demonstrations, tours, and special meetings are held periodically with notification given as to time and location.
Major Objectives: This Annual Plan of Work establishes the major objectives for the Pine Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District for the Fiscal Year 2014. The following objectives will be planned, developed, and implemented under partnership with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
1. Natural Resources Conservation Promote the conservation treatment of natural resources including soil, water, wildlife habitat, 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 technical assistance.
2. Conservation Education Educate the general public on the importance of conservation. Work with conservation groups in planning, developing, and implementing seminars, programs, contests, etc. that are used for the purpose of conservation education.
3. Public Relations and Information Create public awareness of District conservation programs and objectives. Keep general public informed on conservation issues and concerns.
4. Watershed Inspections and Maintenance Carry out watershed inspections and maintenance in the District. Work to prevent impairment of dams and reservoirs, control floods, and assist in maintaining the navigability of rivers in the District. Work towards the development of an Emergency Watershed Program.

Action Items
Natural Resources 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.
Manage the use of the District's conservation tillage equipment and demonstrate methods of conservation farming. Promote and publicize equipment in order to make it available to farmers and land-users in the District. Apply for any available grants through the Two Rivers Resource Conservation & Development Council to obtain additional conservation tillage equipment.
Arrange and conduct meetings/programs to recognize individuals for their contribution to natural resources conservation.
Assist land developers 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 soils information with interpretations to developers for their use in developing an Erosion & Sediment Control Plan.
Work closely with local issuing authorities in implementing their Erosion & Sediment Control Ordinance by providing technical assistance and education.
Review and approve Erosion & Sediment Control 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 program.
Action Items
Conservation Education
Sponsor at least two students from each county to attend the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop at ABAC. Provide funds, if necessary, for transportation of students to the workshop. Tuition will be paid from district funds or from outside sources.
Assist school curriculum advisors by providing natural resources conservation books, booklets, curriculum guides, and instructional seminars.

Sponsor and conduct a youth forestry field day competition to educate local high school students on the importance of forestry and the management of our natural resources. Seek outside assistance and sponsorship.
Seek funding to further establish walking trails, native tree arboretum, meadows, as well as commercial forest as part of joint project with Marion County High School.
Present information on soil and water conservation to schools, civic clubs, churches, etc.
Assist in sponsoring 4-H, FFA, or other youth organizations in conservation related activities.
Purchase and distribute Soil and Water Stewardship Week materials to educate the public to the need of managing and protecting soil and water resources. Commend all local agencies, organizations, businesses, and individuals that provide assistance in promotion of Soil and Water Stewardship Week.
Manage and expend funds made available through private, local, state, and federal sources in such a way as to promote natural resources conservation and conservation education.
Sponsor Erosion & Sediment Control Workshops to educate issuing authorities on their responsibilities under the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Law of Georgia.
Seek location and funding for the development of an outdoor classroom to be utilized by local schools in the education of natural resources conservation and management.
Action Items
Public Relations and Information
Pay dues and take an active roll in the Georgia Association of Conservation District Supervisors and the National Association of Conservation Districts. Assist in sponsoring individual Supervisors to attend activities of these organizations. Maintain membership (pay dues if necessary) in other professional organizations (Two Rivers Resource Conservation & Development Council) that promote goals similar to the District.
Work closely with other agencies and organizations (Two Rivers RC&D, Farm Service Agency, 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 Board meetings and to keep the District informed on available conservation programs.
Keep the general public informed of conservation programs available through local, state, and federal agencies. Sponsor and conduct meetings to inform groups and individuals of particular conservation needs.
Promote among local government authorities, the use of soil survey reports in land-use planning and tax evaluation.

Develop and distribute an Annual Report on District accomplishments at the end of the fiscal year.
Prepare and distribute news articles of District programs and activities. Contact television stations regarding District events.
Invite elected governing officials (local, state, and federal) to District functions in order to make them aware of conservation concerns, programs, and accomplishments.
Seek outside sources of income to strengthen and support District activities and programs.
Manage district financial and material resources to meet District goals in an efficient and productive manner, and, as prescribed by state guidelines.
Establish Associate Membership program to raise funds for conservation projects in the District as well as to educate the public on District activities.