Upper Chattahoochee River Soil and Water Conservation District annual plan of work, 2014

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py..~()14 ANNUAL PLAN OF vl(}tttk

WATER RESOURCES
Objectives:
1. Encourage the county government to take a more active role in their county. Invite county commissioners to attend the meetings and explain operation and maintenance (O&M) of the watershed structures.
2. Develop an improved process for obtaining a permit to build a pond.
3. Encourage legislators to continue funding the State Soil and Water Conservation Commission budget for Category I Watershed modification and maintenance.
4. Continue to support the modification of watershed structures in the District.
5. Assist ~ounty and State Government in locating sites for area water reserv01rs.
6. Continue to support any project that will increase the water supply and the quality of the water in the North Georgia area.
7. Encourage all landowners/land-users to be aware of the potential of surface and ground water contamination without the use of planning resource management system BMP's (Best Management Practices).
8. Assist to develop a cost share program for building farm ponds to improve water quality and quantity throughout the district.
9. Encourage each County Government to keep drainage ditches free of debris to ensure the proper function.
SOIL RESOURCES
Objectives:
1. Promote conservation tillage on all cropland. Promote the renovation of pastures using no-till pasture drills.

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2. Encourage RC&D and/ or watershed projects in all counties to help solve streambank erosion.

3. Encourage critical area treatment on landfills, road-banks, and field critical area treatment in all counties of the district.
4. Continue to encourage local work groups to set priorities for the EQIP program and to manage the EQIP program under the new farm bill.

5. Promote the construction of as many farm ponds as possible for water conservation. Assist to develop a cost share program for building farm ponds to improve water quantity and water quality throughout the district.

6. Promote animal waste management systems and the recycling of animal waste.

7. Encourage County Commissioners to continue to update flood plain management plans in all counties.

8. The district will meet the requirements and responsibilities in reviewing

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erosion and sediment control plans.

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9. The supervisors will encourage city and county government to develop a stricter erosion and sediment control plan for enforcement for developers. Arrange an erosion and sedimentation information meeting for each county.
10. The supervisors will request that the State Conservation Commission Erosion and Sediment Control Program Specialist, EPD Representative and EPA Representative, contact local supervisors when called in to investigate a local erosion and sediment control problem.
11. Supervisors in their respective counties are encouraged to work together to solve local problems including making contacts on problems concerning erosion and sediment control for their county or city. In any situation when the district could be put at risk the supervisors should contact the district chairman and as a follow up, copy the chairman on letters written.
12. 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.
13. Encourage landowners with highly erosible land to participate in the Conservation Reserve Program, if program continues.
FORESTRY

Objectives:

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1. Invite Georgia Forestry Commission Representative to attend at least one Board meeting and give program on forestry resources.

2. Support Georgia Forestry Commission in the reforestation programs, Forest Stewardship and Stewardship Incentive Programs.

3. Encourage private landowners to make wildlife management part of their resource plan.

4. Provide Georgia Forestry Commission if requested with name of landowners with marginal farmland.
5. Encourage landowners to replant area of southern pine bark Beetle damage and work with the Georgia Forestry Commission using improved pine seedlings for reforestation.
6. Assist the Georgia Forestry Commission in all Forestry Programs.

FINANCE

Objectives:

1. Encourage county board of commissioners to budget funds for assisting the district in its programs in their respective county. Supervisors will present a written or oral report to the commissioners.
2. A goal of at least 150 affiliate members by July 1st.

Dawson County

25

Forsyth County

100

Habersham County

40

Lumpkin County - 25 White County - 30

3. 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.
4. Purchase, in accordance with State purchasing guidelines, and manage the use of equipment that will demonstrate methods for implementing soil and water conservation practices.
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. Sponsor and conduct meetings and seminars to inform groups and individuals of particular conservation needs.
7. Seek outside sources of income to strengthen and support district activities and programs.

EDUCATION

Objectives:

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1. Meet with school officials to determine interest in environmental study area in each county.

2. 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 or from outside

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sources.

3. Selection of Workshop students by mid May.

4. Purchase, in accordance with State purchasing guidelines, and distribute conservation booklets to students within the district.

5. Invite Vo-Ag Teacher and County Extension Director to a meeting during the year to gain support for the Natural Resources Conservation
Workshop.

6. Recognize people doing a good job of development with a written letter from local supervisor.

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

8. Encourage high school teams to enter the Envirothon Competition and support the team with financial backing.

9. Continue an Educational Scholarship Program/Funds.

10. Sponsor teachers from each County to the Ag in the Classroom Workshop.

11. Sponsor a conservation education grant for each county. The district will

make condition of receiving grant for teacher and/ or students; they have

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to report at a district meeting to the supervisors the results of the grant.

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LEGISLATIVE

Objectives:

1. Have county, city officials and legislators at one of the district meetings
during the year. 2. Support and promote legislation that is beneficial to the district program.

3. Promote the enactment of legislation that will protect prime and important farmland in the district.

4. Invite by letter county and city officials including County Commissioners, Mayor, City Manager, FSA, Extension Service, Vo-Ag Teachers, Legislators, and School officials to have an input in the district's plan of work by submitting suggestions to the district board. A copy of the district's annual plan of work will be available to the above mentioned.

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5. Encourage legislators to promote legislation to pass laws to tax land according to its use.
6. Encourage legislators to support bills that will require and force all utility companies to meet full requirements of the erosion and sediment control laws.
RC&D
Objectives:
1. Support the Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D Council m carrying-out resource projects in the district.
2. Have a representative at all RC&D Council Meetings. Pay annual RC&D dues.
3. Encourage RC&D project that help solve streambank erosion. Sponsor RC&D measure in each county in the district that has a plan.
4. Sponsor a roadside critical area treatment in each county.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Objectives:
1. Hold at least one news conference on special conservation topics in each county.
2. Sponsor at least one conservation tour on special conservation project.
3. Publish district annual report by the time of the affiliate member banquet.
4. Arrange and conduct functions like banquets, luncheons and cookouts to recognize individuals for their contributions to soil and water conservation and promote greater participation.
5. Selection of place for affiliate member banquet and have date and speaker by July 1.
6. Have minutes of district meeting out to each supervisor within one week after each board meeting.
7. Review progress of annual plan of work, have chairman of each committee report at meeting each quarter.
8. Attend SS&WCC Supervisor Training.

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9. Select outstanding responsible students to attend the Natural Resources Conservation Workshop. Students will be selected in advance and will be briefed on the opportunities afforded by the workshop. When the students return, they will be considered district board youth associates and will receive district mailing and be invited to attend district meetings. The students will be encouraged to promote conservation activities at their school and will recommend prospective students for scholarships for the next year's workshop.
SOIL, WATER & AIR STEWARDSHIP
Objectives:
1. Observe Soil, Water and Air Stewardship Week throughout the district during the national week of observance and promote soil, water and air stewardship everyday of the year.
2. Encourage and support the Annual Ministers' Night.
3. Encourage more preparation for soil, water and air stewardship week.
4. Prepare and distribute minister's packets and all stewardship materials as early in the year as possible.
5. Promote Soil, Water and Air Stewardship Week.
LONG RANGE PLAN
Objectives:
1. Update the district's long-range plan.
LADIES AUXILIARY
Objectives:
1. Support district Ladies Auxiliary programs.
2. Provide funding for auxiliary.
3. Encourage and assist auxiliary m developing and maintaining district scrapbook.
4. Request assistance from ladies auxiliary to plan district annual meeting and December meeting.
Revised May 2013