SWCD News
Welcome Jason Beckler:
Jason Beckler is a Pheasant's Forever Farm Bill Biologist working out of the Renville SWCD office. Jason will be working with Renville County landowners on all Farm Bill conservation programs including CRP, CCRP, and WRP. Jason is here to assist landowners who are interested in more information about options for their land and he can also assist landowners with maintenance of their existing contracts. Jason can be contacted at the Renville SWCD office during regular office hours.
Jason is a native of South Dakota and a graduate of the University of South Dakota. He comes to Renville County from Iowa where he was working for NRCS.
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) -- the following is a document that was recently distributed to SWCD offices and other agencies in Minnesota. It includes resources to help landowners find answers to their questions about EAB:
How to respond to callers with questions about emerald ash borer
Link to the Minnesota Department of Ag information sheet on Emerald Ash Borer
www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/eab.htm
Combining the two easement programs allows state funds to leverage federal funds that are available through the Federal Farm Bill. Funding for this partnership is provided through the federal USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the state Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). The state funding is expected to be provided from the constitutionally dedicated outdoor heritage fund, based on a recommendation of the Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council.
Restoring wetlands on privately owned lands provides many public benefits, such as enhancing wildlife habitat, improving water quality and reducing potential flood damage in targeted areas.
Minnesota received 20 percent of the federal WRP funds that were available nationwide through the WRP program in 2008. We’d like to build on the success of the 2008 sign-up and are taking this opportunity to reach out to the landowners in Renville SWCD to make sure they’re aware of this important program.
Details of the RIM-WRP Partnership:
· To leverage federal funds that are available until the end of the federal fiscal year, the RIM-WRP signup period is from April 20 to June 5, 2009.
· Eligibility is statewide, but priority is given to areas of Minnesota that have experienced the greatest wetland losses.
· Competitive payment rates have been established for this partnership using township average land values.
· Interested landowners should contact the Renville Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) or Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff at their local USDA Service Center at 320-523-1559.
WCA Rule Changes
All landowners and contractors need to be aware that the 2007 State of Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) Rules made significant changes to the Ag exemptions.
If you are planning a project, or have wetland questions, be sure to check with the Renville SWCD Staff regarding WCA wetland rules.
Landowners/operators are still required to complete a Form 1026 for USDA Farm Bill compliance at the FSA office and have it approved with the NRCS staff. They should also discuss projects with Taralee Latozke of the Renville SWCD as projects are subject to both State & Federal wetland rules. Renville SWCD is the designated LGU (Local Government Unit) for the WCA program in Renville County and therefore is responsible for administration of the program as well as the technical aspects such as wetland determinations and for enforcement when there is a violation.
You can access the Permit Application forms on the Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR) website Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources. Below are links to the General Form (both PDF and Word format) which is applicable to most projects:
The 2008 Annual Financial Report and the Annual Report as well as the 2009 Renville SWCD Annual Plan are complete and have been approved by the Board of Supervisors. Please refer to the "Reports" Page in the Website.
Rain Gardens
Renville SWCD Staff & Supervisors attended the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) Area VI meeting on September 10, 2008. The meeting was hosted by the Kandiyohi SWCD and included a presentation on Rain Gardens by Gregg Thompson, Urban Conservation Specialist, Association of Metropolitan Soil & Water Conservation Districts.
If you are interested in more information about establishing a Rain Garden, please contact Tara Latozke at Renville SWCD. Tara has worked with several Renville County landowners on rain garden design. The SWCD office also has materials available to help landowners get some ideas for possible designs. There are a wide range of plants that can be used--everything from flowers to shrubs.
Rain gardens are designed to hold water for a very short period--they slow down runoff to storm sewers and also filter out impurities. Mr. Thompson reported on the use of rain gardens in the metro area--they are installed, and even mandated, as part of street improvement projects in many cities. They also are common in new developments--both commercial and residential.
2009 Budget was approved at the December meeting. See below for copy of budget:
LCCMR Granite Rock Outcrop Grant Update
In early 2007, the Legislative Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) recommended funding a grant application submitted by several partners including the Renville SWCD. That grant sought to protect rare and unique wetlands found in Granite Rock Outcrops in the Minnesota River Valley. Landowner interest in the program has been high and it's anticipated there will be applications in excess of funds currently available. A technical panel made up of natural resource professionals from several agencies, visited each site and scored the sites using several criteria. Four easements totaling 212 acres were funded.
The two original counties were joined by three more (Lac qui Parle, Yellow Medicine & Chippewa) and a 2009 Grant application was submitted to expand the project. The LCCMR recommended $1,500,000 for this project which we anticipate will protect about 530 acres. We are awaiting legislative approval of the funding for the money which would then be available July 1, 2009. If you have land with rock outcrops and are located in one of the five participating counties, contact your local SWCD office for more information. Staff are currently working with interested landowners so scoring of applications can begin soon after the start of the grant period.
A third, and final, grant application was recently submitted for the 2010 funding cycle. This request was for $3,048,000 to protect about 1,500 acres. The review process will take place over the next few months with final funding decisions coming in the late fall or winter.
A typical Granite Rock Outcrop in the Minnesota River Valley