CCNRD

Crook County Natural Resource District (CCNRD)

April 4th Regular Board Meeting Minutes

CALL MEETING TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 12:02 by Chairman Wayne Garman at the USDA Service Center in Sundance, Wyoming.

ATTENDANCE

Board: Wayne Garman, Lily Altaffer, Kim Fundaun, Wanda Burget

Employees: Sarah Anderson, Bridget Helms, Call in: Carmen Horne-McIntyre

Guests: Keela Deaton, NRCS District Conservationist, Staci Steiner, FSA County Executive Director

OPEN ISSUES TO DISCUSS

NRCS Update Ms. Deaton reported that 8 contracts have been obligated and an additional $358,000 has been requested for 7 more contracts. Field work is picking up in her office.

FSA Update Ms. Steiner informed the board of the grassland CRP program that is run with NRCS. The emergency relief livestock program hit $2 million in payments to Crook County as of this morning. Her office is still looking for a temporary employee.

Water Quality Program Ms. McIntyre stated water quality trainings will start at the end of April. Next month DEQ is having a spring non-point source meeting in Evanston and Ms. McIntyre will participate virtually. Mr. Garman will also attend virtually. The Watershed conference will be the last weekend in June in Riverton. There are some outreach events upcoming that Ms. Halverson will be able to attend for 319 grant match. The $151,000 grant (NACD) will cover personnel costs, travel, and mileage. She will be coordinating with Ms. Deaton small acreage livestock projects, there are 33 projects that didn’t rank out with NRCS that we could possibly help. Keyhole State Park is still interested in cost share on algal bloom signage.

Forestry Program Update Ms. Anderson received 11 applications for the BLM grant that’s focused along the Pine Ridge Rd area of Pine Haven. The Ips beetle is already a concern and active, so that will affect the forestry project progress this year. The WWNRT grant agreement and WG&F agreement have been received and were reviewed. Ms. Altaffer made a motion to sign the WWNRT agreement, seconded by Ms. Burget. Motion carried. Grant funding from the Muley Fanatics Foundation was received and a thank you card was signed.

RCPP is moving forward and the documentation for agreement is being reviewed. It’s recommended that the Board write a letter addressing the pile-and-burn (or no-burn) issue regarding the partnership and RCPP award. When a letter is prepared the Board agreed to digitally sign the letter.

CWPP Ms. Anderson has been working with Crook County on the County Wildfire Protection Plan; without an updated plan, neither the County nor the CCNRD will qualify for federal fire mitigation funding. Ms. Anderson sent a FNRPA letter to Joe Baron for review and he approved it, pending the Commissioners approval. A new construction roof ordinance may need to be addressed to receive funding also; this topic will be on the Commissioner’s agenda tomorrow at 3pm and Doug Leis and Dick Terry will be there to discuss.

CCNRD’s forestry agreement with the USFS expires June 30 2022. The Board discussed the agreement and agreed that Ms. Anderson should contact the USFS to extend it if possible.

The Board also discussed the upcoming USFS Forest Plan revision and the option of going under the umbrella of the County for the MOU or requesting individual status; the Board agreed an individual MOU with a separate voice would be best, but we will work with the County on the Forest Plan revision options to ensure what is best for Crook County.

Office Manager Update Ms. Helms received a 5-lot subdivision review this week. She secured the location for the Local Working Group meeting. She has submitted forms required for the state funding criteria and has started to prepare the budget. Ms. Helms assisted with the Heart of Gold livestock show at the school. E-cycling dates and times were discussed. Tentative date will be August 27 with Sundance in the morning and Hulett in the afternoon, Ms. Helms will coordinate with Protech.

Local Issues Ms. Altaffer said that the Hulett field day for the kids is the first weekend in June, she would like the District to be represented.

Financials A motion to approve the budget line-item resolution 4.4.2022 was made by Mr. Fundaun and seconded by Ms. Burget. Motion carried. A motion to pay the bills was made by Ms. Burget and seconded by Mr. Fundaun. Motion carried. All checks were signed. The bank statement was opened by Ms. Burget and the QuickBooks reconciliation report prepared by Bridget was reviewed and signed.

Approve March 1st Minutes A motion to approve the minutes as presented was made by Ms. Burget, seconded by Mr. Fundaun. Motion carried.

Board Vacancy an urban vacancy remains on the Board, a candidate is being sought.

Tree Program update To date 50 tree orders have been received. Shipping and a location for the trees to be delivered was discussed. It was decided to have the trees delivered to the office. Ms. Altaffer was going to investigate local options for shipping the trees.

Local Working group We will need to provide lunch, the board preferred Subway if it is available by then or pizzas will be ordered.

Commissioner’s budget request planning The meeting will start at 11:45 am. We will pick up meals for the Commissioner’s and reconvene in the courthouse. Due to increased costs, we will request $60,000 for the next fiscal year.

NEW ISSUES TO DISCUSS

Risk Management practices form A motion to approve signing of the Risk Management Practices form was approved by Ms. Altaffer and seconded by Ms. Burget. Motion carried.

Bonding form A motion to approve signing the Bonding form was approved by Ms. Altaffer and seconded by Mr. Fundaun. Motion carried.

Pursuing local funding form A motion to approve signing the Pursuing local funding form was made by Ms. Altaffer and seconded by Mr. Fundaun. Motion carried.

Proposed Budget Staff will be meeting April 21st to discuss the proposed budget. It will be prepared to be reviewed and approved at the May 3 meeting.

TIME OFF REQUESTS A motion was made by Ms. Burget and seconded by Mr. Fundaun to approve time off requests for Ms. Helms and Ms. Anderson. Motion carried.

OTHER BUSINESS

Joint Water Quality Board Meeting Minutes were reviewed. Mr. Fundaun made a motion to approve them seconded by Ms. Altaffer. Motion carried.

MOTION TO ADJOURN was made by Ms. Burget at 2:16 pm.

Office Manager Signature:

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Chairman Signature:

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