HARFORD SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT



HARFORD SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT – Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes – 2/15/17NEXT MEETING: March 16, 2017 @ 8:00 amBoard Members Present: Lee McDaniel, Frank Richardson, Andy Rigdon, Rick Holloway, Dan Magness, and Linda WorthingtonAgency Personnel: Bill Tharpe, Leslie Zink, Patrick Jones, Chris Prigge, and Annette Ensor (NRCS)Meeting called to order at 8:07 am.Agenda approved with one revision to add Case IH Tractors under Old Business.Minutes of meeting from January 18th were reviewed and approved.Treasurer's report for January was filed as presented. Received $5,000 from Harford Co. for the Envirothon, which includes additional funds for the International event in July. Motion to send $2,000 to the International competition with balance going to the local competition – Approved.Correspondence:Two emails from Bruce Young. One informing that Case IH will be providing 300, 1/64 and 1/16 scale tractors for the International Envirothon. They will also provide and display some large equipment at the event. Second email was an inventory of pledged items for the goodie bags.Allegany tree sale is underway.Received invitation to St. Mary’s Co. 75th Annual Cooperators Dinner.Letter from Howard SCD notifying that David Plummer is the new District Manager, replacing Bob Ensor, who has retired.Montgomery Co. sent their newsletter, which will be a model for us as we prepare to launch our own.No pertinent information in the current issue of NACD’s Forestry Notes.A four page article was printed in the January/February issue of Land & Water magazine. The article, which is a first for the District, highlights the step by step process of the McGuirk’s Wetland Project.The District also had an article published in the NACD Blog. Bill has already received two inquiries from Kentucky and Pennsylvania.Old Business:DC Report – (see attached report) HIGHLIGHTS:Projects under construction have been hindered by temperatures, i.e. concrete.One payment is remaining for CSP.Client Gateway is now able to deal with entities and not just individuals. Dr. Hillsman is encouraging participation by every county.DM Report – (see attached report) HIGHLIGHTS: During MACS conference call, new 100’ minimum setback from US Waters was discussed.Discussed Charles SCD relocation with Luis Dieguez. The District and State have moved without NRCS & FSA. They have been approved for remote access to Toolkit. Lee, Bill, and Leslie will be visiting sometime in March.Landowners contacted MDE regarding a 3 ? acre pond on their property at Pleasantville Road. SCS constructed the pond in 1965. Concern that a major storm event could cause a breach.Ag Night at Ripken Stadium has been confirmed for Saturday, August 12th. Conservation Tracker – (see attached report)January report reflects planning activities. Picked up almost 2,000 acres.Grant Programs Update –Silverstein project is complete.Main construction at Bucks Branch (Holloway) has been completed by Ecotone.Spring live staking and planting at McGuirk’s and Ralph Ball’s will complete FY16.Patrick attended a Pre Con meeting with Ecotone for Hopkins. Have been awarded design funding from CBT for Tibbs project.Extension Report – No report this month.Harford Co. Celebration of Agriculture –Atlantic Tractor has offered to provide a 4 person Gator. Board agrees that this equates to a Silver level sponsorship.Additional Sponsors were added per recommendations by the Board.Ralph and Darlene Ball have accepted the nomination for Conservation Farmer of the Year.Case IH Tractors –Lee spoke with a representative from Case IH Corporate. Only the District is allowed to use the additional 100 hours on the tractor and implement.New Business:Elections –Lee McDaniel and Andy Rigdon confirmed their willingness to continue in office. Frank Richardson is confirmed in absentia.Motion to hold Election of Officers, administered by the District Manger, once per year in January - Approved.Nutrient Trading Pilot Project – Interest from Mountain Christian Church, which plans to upgrade sewage disposal system to offset septic permitting items.District was contacted by Susan Payne from MDA and George Kelly, who is in private practice. Not sure what the District is being asked to do. Bill to invite both to the March meeting.MASCD Awards –Leslie to reformat information and provide to Board for March meeting.NACD Annual Meeting – Lee is now Past President of the NACD Executive Board.New President is Brent Van Dyke of New Mexico.MASCD Board Meeting and Legislative Day in Annapolis –Major topic was the Governor’s budget and MACS ernor reduced to $8 million and changed back to Bond from General Funds.If approved, MACS may begin approving pending applications.Lee and Bill had a conversation with Rich Norling, Chairman of the Board for Harford Community College (HCC).Interested in bringing Ag curriculum to HCC.Question posed as to whether we could establish a credited, college level course on conservation.Suggestion made to partner with Extension and NRCS; include Dr. Hillsman.New Nutrient Management Requirements – Review of five major changes included in an email from Byron Petrauskas. Meeting adjourned at 10:38 am. ................
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