SWCD News
Check the "Reports" page for 2009 Financial Report & for 2009 Annual Report & list of Accomplishments in addition to the the 2010 Annual Plan (updated 3-4-2010).
Tree Program Discontinued
The Renville SWCD Board of Supervisors, with input from the staff, have decided to discontinue the tree program. We will no longer be selling and planting trees. However, if you are interested in a CRP field windbreak or a Living Snow Fence, please contact our staff and we can work with you on the design. We recommend that Renville County landowners work with Judy Schulte at the Redwood SWCD to order trees for Spring 2010. Judy can be reached at (507)637-2427.
A copy of the most recent Financial Audit (for the period ending Dec. 31, 2008) was performed in October by CAP, James Maiser. Mr. Maiser recently provided the SWCD with the final Audit Report..
Look for that in the Reports section of the website.
Granite Rock Outcrop Grant Funded......
Earlier this summer, the Legislative Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) received 240 proposals requesting a total of $163.8 million. The LCCMR reviewed those proposals and eventually heard presentations from 80 groups. On October 16th, Tom Kalahar, Project Manager for the proposal entitled "Protection of Granite Rock Outcrop Ecosystem" was notified that the proposal submitted by Redwood, Renville, Chippewa, Yellow Medicine & Lac qui Parle SWCD offices was recommended to receive $1.8 million of the $26 million in available funds through the Natural Resources Environmental Trust Fund.
This is the third round of funding for this project. The first grant in 2007 was a cooperative effort between Redwood & Renville SWCD offices. That $563,000 funded four perpetual conservation easements protecting 212.4 acres in the Minnesota River Valley. Two years later the group was expanded when Chippewa, Yellow Medicine & Lac qui Parle Counties were included in the eligible area. That request was funded for $1.5 million. In the summer of 2009, thirty landowners submitted applications for a total of 1,481.1 acres. Each application was scored by a team of natural resource professionals. Twelve applications totaling 540.8 acres will be funded using those 2009 funds. It is anticipated that the 2010 funds will be able to fund an additional 14 applications and protect an additional 702 acres.
A typical Granite Rock Outcrop in the Minnesota River Valley
Jason Beckler is a Pheasant's Forever Farm Bill Biologist working out of the Renville SWCD office. Jason works 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
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:
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.
2010 Budget was approved at the December meeting. See below for copy of budget as well as a copy of the 2009 Budget.