Ocmulgee River Soil and Water Conservation District annual plan of work, fy 2014 (7/1/13 - 6/30/14)

Ocmulgee River Soil and Water Conservation District
Annual Plan of Work FY 2014
7/1/13 6/30/14
District Identity:
The Ocmulgee 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 February 10th, 1938. 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 comprises Bibb, Crawford, Dooly, Houston, Macon, Peach, Pulaski, Taylor, and Wilcox Counties. Two supervisors from each county, one elected and one appointed, serve on the eighteen-member Board.
Meetings are held at the Old County Courthouse in Perry on the first Thursday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. Demonstrations, tours, and special meetings are periodically held with proper notification given as to time and location.
Major Objectives:
This Annual Plan of Work establishes the major objectives for the Ocmulgee 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 Natural Resources Conservation Service.
1. Natural Resources Conservation Promote the conservation treatment of all natural resources including soil, water, wildlife, 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 public on the importance of conservation. Work with conservation groups in planning, developing, and implementing seminars, programs, contests, etc. that are used for conservation education.
3. Public Relations and Information Work to create public awareness of District conservation programs, objectives, and activities through the news media to inform the public 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 (local work groups) 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 for implementing conservation farming. Promote and publicize rental equipment to farmers and land-users in the District.
Work with eligible landowners in the installation of water quality BMP's as part of the Cedar Creek / Folsom Creek 319 Project.
Assist land-users to apply best management practices that provide conservation benefits to soil, water, wildlife habitat, etc.
Work with Georgia Forestry Commission to assist landowners with establishing pine trees on marginal cropland.
Work with local units of government to consider planning/zoning issues that involve the acquisition of farmland for development in the District.
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 for developments 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 so that they may conduct in-house review erosion and sediment control plans.
Partner with Two Rivers RC&D in the development of several Better Back Roads projects within the District.

Action Items
Conservation Education
Sponsor at least two students from each county in the District to attend the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop at ABAC.
Assist school curriculum advisors by providing natural resources conservation books, booklets, curriculum guides, and instructional seminars.
Present information on soil and water conservation for presentations to schools, civic clubs, churches, etc.
Sponsor or assist in sponsoring 4-H, FFA, or other youth organizations in conservation related activities, i.e. Envirothon.
Purchase and distribute Soil and Water Stewardship Week materials to educate the public of the need to manage and protect soil and water resources.
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 Level 1A, 1B, and Level II Certification Classes to educate issuing authorities on their responsibilities under the Erosion and Sedimentation Law of Georgia.
Maintain Memorandum of Agreement with Central Georgia Technical College to offer Continuing Education in Erosion and Sedimentation Control.
Sponsor a District wide Soil and Water Stewardship Week Poster Contest for local elementary school students. Award county and District winners.
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) to other professional organizations that promote goals similar to the District.
Work closely with other agencies and organizations (Pine Country Resource Conservation & Development Council, Farm Service Agency, Cooperative Extension Service, Georgia Forestry Commission, Department of Natural Resources, Warner Robins Air Force Base, Ocmulgee Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, River Keepers and other related groups) to coordinate conservation program 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 public informed of conservation programs that are available through the local, state, and federal agencies. Sponsor and conduct meetings to inform groups and individuals of particular conservation needs.
Develop and distribute an Annual Report on District accomplishments at the end of the fiscal year.
Purchase and/or replace District road signs, as needed, using similar but smaller signs.
Prepare and distribute news articles on District programs and activities. Contact television stations regarding these events.
Invite elected 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 its goals in an efficient and productive manner, and, as prescribed by state guidelines.