Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

Annual Plan of Work

January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010

Table of Contents

2009 Outstanding Conservationist                                                     Page 2

Organization of District                                                                      Page 3-4

Introduction                                                                                          Page 5

Objectives                                                                                             Pages 5-18

Staffing Needs                                                                                      Page 19

Cost-Share Program Requirements                                                    Pages 19-23

Budget Requirements                                                                         Pages 23-26

Closing                                                                                                 Page 26

2009 Outstanding Conservationist

Jim Droegemueller

 Jim is an environmentalist who cares about his land and is constantly looking at how he can preserve what he has.  He has two wetlands that have never been tiled and their integrity and local ecosystem have been maintained while many others have sadly disappeared to agricultural practices.  Jim farms some of the hilliest acres located in Martin County and he works hard to save his topsoil.  Jim’s farm edges two lakes that he has installed riparian areas along their edges that offers protection while providing wildlife habitat and improving water quality. 

MARTIN SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

 923 NORTH STATE STREET, SUITE 110

 FAIRMONT, MINNESOTA   56031 

TELEPHONE  (507) 235-6680

Board of Supervisors Linda Meschke, Chairman – Nomination District Two Wendell Rode – Vice-Chair, Nomination District Four Steve Flohrs, Member – Nomination District Five Duane Petrowiak, Member, Nomination District Three Darwin Roberts – Member, Nomination District One
	SWCD Staff Kathy Smith - District Manager Rich Perrine – SWCD Technician Greg Johanson – SWCD Technician Cathy Thiesse – Technical and Admin. Assist. Tim Peterson – CWP Coordinator Kristy DuBois – LCCMR Project Jim Hatch – LCCMR Project Eileen Boesch – LCCMR Project Natural Resources Conservation Service Carissa Spencer, District Conservationist Betsy Norland, Soil Conservation Technician

Introduction

Following is the Annual Plan of Work for the Martin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).  This plan covers the period January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010.

Purpose

The purpose of this Annual Plan is to address resource problems inherent in this agriculturally oriented county.  Martin County is approximately 465,000 acres in size.  Approximately 398,000 acres (86%) of the county is intensively cultivated and 92% of the county is in some form of rural land use.  Of interest is the small amount of pasture and hayland - only 10,000 acres of the total farmland in the county.  The acreages of these two landuses have decreased significantly in the past fifteen years, being converted to row crop production. There are approximately 40,000 acres of natural resources areas which are currently riparian and are being converted to cropland and other development uses.  There are approximately 17,000 acres of surface water in the county.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Martin SWCD is to “assist land users of Martin County in efficiently utilizing the soil and water resources of our county.  The District will assist land users in increasing the productive use of cropland, pastureland, woodland, and urban land (small cities) while maintaining the soils base, water quality, tree production and wildlife production”.

Objectives

The objective of the District is to encourage and assist Martin County residents, rural and urban, in implementing sustainable land-use practices.  The District will cooperate with all Government agencies concerned in solving local resource problems to increase public awareness of current resource problems and solutions.

The plan begins by describing the six objectives this District has established.           

1.  Provide for efficient District operation.

2.  Reduce soil erosion on agricultural, nonagricultural and urban land which has erosion rates in excess of “T” utilizing appropriate resource and/or land management systems.

3.  Maintain and improve water quality and water quantity in Martin County by addressing impaired waters and TMDL’s.

4.  Increase the quantity and quality of wetlands, prairie, woodland and wildlife areas in Martin County.

5.  The District will strive to keep the residents of Martin County informed of District policies and programs, to provide current resource information and to promote conservation awareness to land users, other units of government organizations, youth organizations, communities and schools. 

6.  The District will continue to build partnerships, share workloads, cooperate and collaborate with other agencies – State, Federal, Local, and County – agricultural organizations, environmental groups and continue to seek new partnerships.

Following each objective are the actions the District will take to complete the objectives.    The workload analysis worksheet for FY 2010 compares to the total staff days available for this calendar year.

High Priority Problems

The next section examines high priority problems in the District.  Funding needed to address District goals for high priority areas is estimated.

Budget Requirements 

The Budget Requirements is the last section.  This outlines the funds needed by the District for staff, cost-sharing and operating expenses.  This budget is formulated using the best estimates of the District supervisors and office staff.

This Annual Plan of Work is coordinated closely with the Martin County Comprehensive Water Plan which the Martin SWCD has adopted as their Comprehensive Plan.  This plan will help guide the District through another year of successful conservation application.  The Comprehensive Plan has been updated for the years 2006-2015.  Following are the Water Plan Priority Concerns:

• Impaired Waters and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
• Drainage System Management
• Promote the Use of Best Management Practices (BMPs)
• Wetland Protection and Restoration
• Water Quality of Area Lakes
• Low Impact Development in Impaired Waters.
• Groundwater Protection

Also included in the Water Plan is the Implementation Plan for the Years 2006-2015.  This Implementation Plan will guide the District in current and future years.

I.  Objectives

The District’s Annual Objectives are derived from the objectives contained in the Martin County Water Plan.

Annual Objective #1:  Provide for an efficient District Operation.

Actions needed to accomplish Objective #1:

1.  Hold regular board meetings the second Thursday of each month.

2.  Develop a 2010 Budget, the 2010 Annual Plan of Work and submit 2009 Year End Financial Reports to BWSR.

3.  Staff a District Manager, Farm Bill Assistant, District T & A Assistant, CWP Watershed Coordinator, and WCA/Water Plan Technician.  Seek summer interns and seasonal staff and volunteers for new Grant Programs.

4.  Provide or seek training for all personnel and supervisors to carry out the SWCD’s programs.

5.  Conduct employee evaluations and update job descriptions as needed.

6.  Supervisors will review policies and develop priorities.

7.  Complete MASWCD District Capacity Award for self evaluation. Review throughout the year.

8.  Participate in various organizations to enhance our local programming. These organizations include, but are not limited to the following:  Three Rivers RC&D, Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance,

South Central Technical Service Area,, Minnesota River Board, Okamanpeedan Group, Des Moines River Watershed Project, Martin County Water Plan Advisory Board, conservation clubs, lake associations and the Clean Water Partnership Program.

9.  Be actively pursuing grants for projects and funding in the District.

Annual Objective #2:  Reduce soil erosion on agricultural and nonagricultural land which has erosion rates in excess of “T” utilizing appropriate resources, land management systems and BMPs.

Martin County soils being mostly loams are very productive agriculturally.  Because such a high percentage of the land is intensively cultivated we are presented with some unique land resource problems.  A major portion of the land is in a corn-soybean rotation.  Thus, this usually results in insufficient crop residue cover to control erosion by wind and water. Also, on steeper land, the sloping areas are not uniform but erratic, making cropland difficult to contour.  This is especially true because of the use of large equipment on Martin County farms.

Actions needed to accomplish Objective #2:

1.  Achieve reduced soil erosion on 7,000 acres of agricultural and non agricultural land to accomplish the following:

Practice                                                                                         Goal

• Conservation Cropping Systems                                              2,700 acres     

 (3^rd crop, grazing systems, cover crops, buffers)

• Conservation Tillage & Crop Residue Use (30%                     6,500 acres     

 residue cover after planting, no-till, strip-till)

• Field Windbreaks/Living Snowfence                                      2 miles
• Grassed Waterways                                                                 25 systems
• Terraces/Sediment Basins                                                       2 systems
• Critical Area Stabilization                                                       5 plantings
• Stream Bank and Lakeshore Stabilization & Restoration        3,000 feet

2.  Apply $8,000 in state cost-share and $5,000 in GBERBA Funds. Assist NRCS in applying EQIP funds and use Ag BMP loans, Clean Water Partnership funds, DNR Shoreland Grant and Clean Water Legacy funds  when applicable.

3.  Accomplish three news articles, and ten radio interviews on wind and water erosion.  Also accomplish three news articles and four radio interviews on EQIP, CSP, Ag BMP Loans and CWP Programs.

4.  Meet with the FSA County Committee, Local EQIP Work Group, RC&D, CWP, GBERBA, Okamanpeedan Group, Des Moines River Watershed Project and South Central Technical Area to assist in promotion and coordination of programs available through each group.

5.  Promote and implement the Conservation Easement Programs, in relation to reducing soil erosion. 

6.  Promote and implement the RIM Riparian program with 10 landowner contracts.

7.  Promote and implement the Native Buffer Program with two landowner contracts. 

8.  Conduct a Tillage Transect Survey adding GPS points to identify each site.

9.  Assist NRCS and FSA in promotion and implementation of the conservation provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 through Contribution Agreements. This will be accomplished with the following:

a.  SWCD staff will review conservation plans and plan revisions.

            b.  Assist in informing landusers of scheduled application of conservation compliance plans.

c.  Assist in the promotion, implementation and development of CRP, EQIP, WHIP and WRP Plans.

            e.  Review EQIP, WRP  and WHIP Plans.

f.  Meet with landowners for site inspections and follow-up on plans.  Continue assisting with Continuous CRP, regular CRP and WRP sign-ups and plan revisions.

 10.  Promote the use of the Districts Seeding Program for the reduction of soil erosion by making the seeding program affordable to county residents and non-county residents on a rental basis or provide the service at a custom rate if requested.  Assist with seed selection and seed procurement.

11.  The District will apply to the Clean Water Fund to address four streambank restoration projects that have been identified by the Martin County Highway Department.

Annual Objective #3:  To maintain and improve water quality and quantity in Martin County by addressing Impaired Waters and TMDL’s.

Issues relating to water resources and specifically water quality gain in importance and public interest each year.  Soil erosion and sedimentation are factors in water quality degradation.  The potential for pesticide and nutrient contamination of water also exists.  Another potential factor is inadequate animal waste storage facilities and improper field application. The District’s role in water resource issues will continue to expand as we assist the County in on-site septic issues, abandoned well issues, and implementation of the county’s third generation Comprehensive Water Plan.  We will assist NRCS with the EQIP Program and the conservation provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 with a full time staff position that is funded through partnership grants from BWSR/DNR, Pheasants Forever and the Fox Lake Conservation League.  

The District has entered into agreements and cooperates with other counties within the Blue Earth River Basin to support the Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance, Three Rivers RC&D, South Central Technical Area, the University of Minnesota Elm Creek Monitoring and Research Project.  The District also cooperates with counties in the Des Moines River Watershed which includes groups such as the Okamanpeedan Watershed Alliance and the Des Moines River Watershed Project and TMDL Project.  The goal is to seek funding for projects that reduce the non-point source pollution within the Blue Earth and Des Moines River Basins. The Minnesota River Dissolved Oxygen TMDL and the Blue Earth River Fecal Coliform TMDL Implementation Plan will require the district to address these TMDL’s.  Also, the Blue Earth River Turbidity TMDL Plan will be finished within a year which will identify more areas to direct district activities, projects and funding.

The District will partner with lake associations, cities and communities within Martin County and provide assistance when possible for water quality issues.

Actions needed to accomplish Objective #3

1.  The District will continue to encourage land users to implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) tailored to Martin County’s unique situation in order to reduce nutrient and sediment loading for the Blue Earth River Basin, Des Moines Basin and Watonwan Basin and help coordinate water quality education programs for land users to apply BMP’s.  The Martin County priority areas are mapped on page 9. The Blue Earth River Basin has been designated a priority area in the County in response to studies that have been done in the basin and programs and funds available.  The Des Moines River Watershed is a priority area in the County using CWP Funds and a SWAG Grant for monitoring and diagnostics.  The District will support grant writing and organization that is occurring in this watershed in the beginning stages. The map on page 10 identifies the Martin County Impaired Waters. Priority will be given to the 29 water bodies that have been listed on the Pollution Control Agency Impaired Waters List.

• Riparian Integrity – drainage ditch maintenance buffers  and stream buffer strips – 50 miles
• Surface intake alternatives – five sites
• On-site sewage treatment upgrades – work with Martin County Planning & Zoning.
• Well Sealing – 10 wells

2.  Continue monitoring efforts on Dutch Creek, through the Water Plan .Coordinate monitoring efforts on Elm Creek with the University of Minnesota.  Recruit additional monitors for the Citizen Monitoring Network in the Des Moines River Watershed as outlined in the MPCA Surface Water Assessment Grant.

3.  Install three grassed waterways

4.  Install one animal waste management systems.

5.  Apply $4,200 of the District’s state cost-share money and $10,000 of GBERBA cost-share.  Assist NRCS, CWP, County Water Plan, Ag BMP Program and the Okamanpeedan Watershed Alliance to implement their water quality programs.

6. The District will provide at least two people and one NRCS person to serve on the Comprehensive Water Plan Advisory Committee, to assist in the implementation strategy of the ten year Martin County Comprehensive Water Plan.

7.  The District will serve as the WCA LGU for Martin County.  The City of Fairmont serves as its own LGU.  Rich Perrine is designated as the WCA Authority for the county.   Rich will represent the LGU on the county TEP, and will represent Martin SWCD on the City of Fairmont TEP.

8.  Implement the Conservation Easement Programs in relation to maintaining and improving water quality.

 9. Restore one wetlands through the RIM/WRP.  Also promote the RIM Riparian program on established and new CRP acres.  Continue maintenance and spot checks on CREP I, CREP II and RIM.

 10.  Write three news articles and 25 radio interviews on water quality.  Also, accomplish two news articles and 25 radio interviews  on Conservation Easement Programs as part of our weekly radio program.

 11.  Examine sites and offer comments on all permits for the DNR Water Permit Program.

12.  Cooperate with the Department of Natural Resources - Division of Waters on the observation well monitoring program.  The District will do monthly monitoring of 6 wells for ground water level information.  (March - December). Seek volunteers to do the monitoring in the future.

13.  Continue administering the precipitation monitoring network.  Presently there are 23 monitors reporting to the District.  Review sites and continue to recruit volunteers to fill the areas which aren’t covered by a volunteer to ensure complete County coverage.

14.  Perform spot checks on current EQIP, CREP, RIM, WRP and Native Buffer contracts.

15.  Assist landowners and local units of government to see that current shoreland ordinances are followed.

16.  Assist the County in implementation of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Ag BMP Program by being the first contact for landowners to determine eligibility and provide technical assistance for practices that are approved for loans.

17.  Assist NRCS & FSA in promotion and implementation of the following conservation provisions of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 through Contribution Agreements:

·         CRP - assist landowner with plans and implementation of plans.

·         EQIP – assist land users in sign-up and site review...

·         Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) – assist applicants, prepare plans and check compliance.

18.  Utilize the District’s Seeding Program in areas that will help to improve the water quality in Martin County. This equipment may be rented by county residents or residents of surrounding counties (if there is a timing conflict priority will be given to county residents).  Residents may request the District to do the seeding for them on a custom rate basis and if requested acquire the seed for them through local suppliers.  Provide assistance when needed on seed selection.

19.  Use the Elm Creek Bio-Engineering demonstration site and the training received as a way to promote  streambank stabilization.

20.  Cooperate with the area lake associations, other organizations, cities and local units of governments and provide them with information or technical assistance they may request.

21.  The District has entered into service contracts with the county to implement the Martin County Water Plan and administer the Wetland Conservation Act for Martin County  The City of Fairmont administers the WCA as a separate LGU.

22. Assist Martin County with the feedlot program by digitizing current and new application acres.  Review Feedlot Applications with individuals to inform the producers of programs and proper building site selection.

23.  Promote the use of the GBERBA Nutrient Management Specialist to assist livestock producers in developing Nutrient Management Plans.

24.  By Resolution from the County Board oversee the diagnostic CWP for the E. Fork of the Des Moines River.

25.  Work with the Martin County Highway Department to secure funding for the Section 9 Pleasant

Praire, Section 29 Center Creek Township and Section 2, Jay Township and Section 6 and 14 Elm Creek Township road stream bank stabilization projects and other potential stream bank stabilization projects in the county.

26.  Cooperate with agencies and land users with Controlled Drainage Projects. Promote as a demonstration site a controlled drainage project in Center Creek Township, Section 5.

27.  Cooperate with Iowa/Minnesota project partners to lay the groundwork for implementation of the Des Moines River Watershed.  Provide leadership and participate as an active partner in seeking funding for assessment, monitoring, education, planning and other initiatives needed to develop and guide implementation efforts.  Assist with applications for funding through the Iowa Watershed Protection Program, and continue to participate in project activities as they are developed. 

28.  Work with the Urban Specialist Position housed in Faribault County SWCD through May 2011 to assist small cities with storm water control issues.  Use $5,555 of GBERBA funds to assist urban landowners with lakeshore restorations and rain gardens.

29.  Assist the City of Fairmont and others, including private landowners to establish Wetland Banking sites.

30.  Work with landusers on potential highway mitigation sites with BWSR and continue with project support for the Holmes Lakebed Wetland Banking site.

31.  Assist the Martin County Ditch Authority on the establishment of ditch maintenance strips on re-determined ditches, approximately 40 miles for 2010.

32.  Seek supplemental funding and provide in-kind support for the University of Minnesota Elm Creek Stream Restoration Project. 

33. Promote the RIM Riparian Program, with priority on the Dutch Creek Watershed. 

34.  Apply to the Clean Water Fund to secure funding for four streambank restorations and the City of Fairmont Sediment Pond Project.

35.  Work with landowners to complete five native buffer contracts.

Annual Objective #4:  Increase the quantity and quality of wetland, prairie, woodland and wildlife areas in Martin County.

Because Martin County land is productive agriculturally, intensive use results.  Agricultural use has pre-empted the land from other productive uses such as wetlands, prairie, wood land and wildlife habitat.  Many farmstead shelterbelts are old and inefficient and would benefit from renovation. 

Lack of diversity and small numbers of wildlife are directly related to the need for more prairie and woody wildlife habitat in the county. Continue to promote the benefits and potential of Conservation Easement Programs whenever addressing wildlife habitat concerns.

Actions needed to accomplish Objective #4

1.  Promote conservation tree planting and the District’s tree program by scheduling three days of tree promotion in February (Tree Days).

2.  Make landuser contacts, develop planting plans and apply the following practices:  farmstead shelterbelts – 10 acres; wildlife habitat plantings - 40 acres; riparian buffers– 50 acres.  Apply $4,200 of State Cost-Share Funds for tree plantings.

3.  Promote feedlot windbreaks as a wildlife benefit.

4.  Sell and distribute 20,000 trees to accomplish the above-mentioned goals.

5.  Write ten news articles and 25 radio interviews during our weekly radio program relating to tree planting and wildlife habitat.

6.  Provide assistance to the Martin County’s conservation and sportsman organizations in planning and developing wildlife habitat tree plantings. Coordinate efforts with cooperating agencies and organizations to achieve this objective. 

7.  Encourage the use of tree fabric or wood chip mulch and tree shelters on new plantings.

8.  Do follow-up maintenance and mortality checks on each of the tree sites the District assisted with planting in the spring of 2009 and 2008.

9.  Assist with tree and shrub disease identification and control recommendations.  Refer disease problems to proper sources – University of Minnesota or Iowa State.

10.  Implement permanent wildlife habitat using conservation easements. And promote the preservation of native habitats and assist land users with the management restoration and planting of native prairie, wetland and woodland habitat.  Encourage the use of native species with an emphasis on local ecotypes.

11. Coordinate with Martin County Highway Department and MN DOT to determine sites and work with landowners to develop plans for the Living Snow Fence Program.

12.  Coordinate with the DNR to promote and enroll native sites in the Prairie Bank Program and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service to promote and enroll wetland easements.

13.  Work with Martin County to set aside high quality prairie remnants for Scientific and Natural areas under the County Park System.

14.  Work with the local school districts and local 4-H groups to set aside high quality woodland and/or pasture for a school prairie/forest.

15.  Implement the BWSR Invasive Species Policy and the Martin SWCD Invasive Species Policy.  Work with partners, within GBERBA and other partners, to implement the Cooperative Weed Management Area Grant Program. 

16.  Continue promoting the Blandings Turtle Habitat priority area in Waverly & Westford Township for possible Continuous CRP and EQIP expansion for special habitat consideration (see map on page 15).

17.  Continue to work and cooperate with the DNR Endangered Species Program to protect and expand local populations of listed and declining plant species and their habitats.

18.  Work with the Martin County Conservation Alliance for land acquisition in the County for wildlife and hunting land. 

19.  Work with partners to continue to implement the Martin SWCD Native Buffer Cost-Share Program.  Enroll five contracts for 2010.

20.  Encourage replacement of trees and groves that are removed.

21.  Educate citizens and monitor for infestation of the Emerald Ash borer in the county.  Encourage diversity in tree plantings.

22.  Continue the LCCMR Native Prairie Eco-System Restoration Project.

23.  Work with landowners to enroll in the RIM-Riparian Program – 10 contracts in 2010.

Annual Objective #5:  The District’s objective is to keep the residents of Martin County informed of District policies and programs, to provide current resource information and to promote conservation awareness to landusers, other local units of government, organizations, communities and schools. The District will be the local vehicle to collect, distribute and disseminate conservation resource information.  The District will also prepare and distribute work plans and annual reports as required by programs and local or state agencies.

Actions needed to accomplish Objective #5:

1.  Plan and coordinate the Conservation Update which will be published in January. An additional issue of the Update will be published in June. Write and edit articles for these publications and request other individuals and organizations in the county involved in resource conservation to submit articles. 

2.  Write and submit articles to FSA or other group’s newsletters whenever requested.

3.  Continued maintenance and development of the District web site www.martinswcd.net.

4.  Distribute Martin County Soil Survey information to interested parties.  Provide computer generated Prodex reports to farmers and appraisers. Provide web address of NRCS soil survey – http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/.  The soil survey will assist staff in identifying high priority areas.

5.  County Commissioners will be kept informed on District activities with a County Commissioner

attending the monthly SWCD Board meeting and SWCD staff and/or Supervisor attending Commissioner meetings with reports as necessary.  Also, a joint meeting of full boards of both County Commissioners and SWCD Supervisors will be held yearly.

6.  Work with the Martin County Conservation Alliance to hold a summer tour showing sites and projects that the District, NRCS, DNR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and conservation clubs have been involved with the last few years. 

7.  Prepare and publish a 2010 Annual Plan and 2009 Financial Report and submit to BWSR by March 15th.  Prepare and submit additional program reports as required. E-Link reporting will be completed by February 1^st.

8.  Continue the following environmental education programs:

o    Environmental Awareness Day - 5^th Grade

o    Poster Contest - 5^th and 6^th Grade

o    Envirothon - high school students

o    4-H Auction

o    Girl Scout Days - outdoor classroom

o    KSUM-KFMC Spring Expo

o    Classroom and group presentations as requested

o    Science Fair Judging

o    Greenwing Event

o    Citizen Stream Monitoring Workshop

o    Community Ag Appreciation Day (may need to be deleted)

o    First Grade Tree Program

o    Martin County West Biology Field Trip

o    University of Minnesota Field Trip

o    FarmFest Booth

o    Contractors Meeting

o    University of MN – Restore your Shore Workshop

o    Metro Bloom Workshop

o    Rain Garden Workshop

o    Rain Barrel Workshop

o    Rain Garden Workshop

o    Seed Growers Meetings

o    Corn and Soybean Growers Event

o    Interlaken Heritage Days

o    Conservation in your Backyard Workshop

o    Martin County Conservation Tour

o    Invasive Weed Management Workshops

o    Hunter’s Night Out

o    Martin County West Community Day

  9.  Design and coordinate annual Martin County Fair Booth with displays and information on conservation programs. 

10. Continue “Conservationist of the Year” and other awards.

11. Maintain and update our Power Point Presentation on the District to help promote the District and our programs.

12.  State convention and area meeting attendance.

13. Monitor approximately 25% of five year old projects which received state cost-share money to insure that the practice is maintained and provide assistance to improve the project if necessary.

14. Assist students with conservation science projects high school and college projects.

15. Help facilitate and sponsor joint conservation and wildlife club meetings to jointly address larger projects or common concerns within the County. Continue to coordinate the Martin County Conservation Alliance meetings.

16. Conduct Feedlot Permit Reviews for feedlot applicants and inform operators of conservation programs. Continue to digitize manure acres for new and existing permits.

17. Assist NRCS with promotion of their conservation programs. 

18.  Continue to develop GIS layers in cooperation with Martin County and the Water Resources Center at MSU.  Use this information to help with resource planning.  Work with Martin County GIS Program.

19.  Provide technical assistance and public information in coordination with the City of Fairmont, other small communities and Martin County to promote water quality practices for both urban and rural landowners. 

20.  Provide assistance to the University of Minnesota on the Elm Creek Watershed Projects.

21.  Organize “Bi-Annual Conservation Volunteer and Recognition Program”.

Annual Objective #6:  The District will continue to build partnerships, share workloads, cooperate and collaborate with other agencies – State, Federal, Local and County - agricultural organizations, environmental groups and continue to seek new partnerships.

Actions needed to accomplish Objective #6:

1.  The District will encourage and continue to develop partnerships with other entities through communications, inter-agency meetings, participation in monthly county department head meetings..Provide leadership, expertise and technical services where they are needed.

2.  The District will continue to provide leadership and act as the local first contact for natural resource concerns.

3.  Search for additional funding opportunities through grants and other funding sources that benefit Martin County’s natural resources.

4.  Encourage participation in the Earth Team Volunteer Program.

5.  Encourage applications to the Clean Water Fund from our partners.

 II. Staffing Needs

 Martin SWCD Workload Analysis Worksheet FY 2010

Objective                                                                          Staff Years

                                                                                       Administrative             Technical

1.  District Operations                                                            1.0                                   .25                  

Reports, Plans, Financial, Personnel  

Meetings, Training, Board Support

2.  Reduce soil erosion                                                             .10                               1.5      

3.      Water Quantity and Quality                                             .10                               1.5                                                                        

4.      Wetlands,  Prairie, Woodland Wildlife                          .10                               1.5                  

5.      Education and Promotion                                                1.0                                 .50                  

6.      Building Partnerships                                                       .25                                 .25

Total Staff Years                                                                    2.55                               5.5

 These staff years include three full-time SWCD staff members, one full-time CWP Coordinator, one part-time SWCD staff member, one part time grant position, and two full-time NRCS staff members for a total of seven staff years.

From the staffing needs worksheet above, it can be seen that current annual goals (actions) require more staff than are available.  NRCS is proposing adding a Soil Conservationist to their staff in Martin County.  We are anticipating this new staff person will be added in 2010.  The District must also realize that annual leave and paid holidays for staff is not reflected in the above numbers. Currently the District budget has dictated the staff level.

Estimating time (staff days) for work areas is always difficult - over or under estimating actual time needed is possible.  The District may need to reprioritize its present objectives or increase its capability to deliver through additional staff.  Through South Central Technical Area and the NRCS Area Office additional technical assistance can be requested above the levels indicated to make up some of the lack of technical requirements as shown above.

III.  Cost-Share Program Requirements

Martin SWCD FY2010 cost-share allocation grant is $17,200.  The District will use 80% of the amount                      $13,760 for high priority projects.  Typical cost-shared practices include stormwater control systems, field windbreaks, well sealing and ag waste systems.  The remaining 20% of the amount $3,440 will be used for cost-share services (technical and administrative) as allowed by program guidelines.

The District Board and staff will promote the District’s state cost-share program, GBERBA cost-share programs and the Ag BMP Loan Program by utilizing personal contacts, the Conservation Update, newspaper and radio, informational tours and meetings, and the County Comprehensive Water Plan to reach out to individuals who have conservation needs.

The staff will carry out all parts of the above mentioned programs as directed by the District Board.  Program and policy decisions will be undertaken by the Board and they will make all decisions on contract approvals and payments.  Technical certification is required by a representative of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service or a staff member of the District staff with Technical Approval Authority.

The District staff will work together with NRCS, BWSR and South Central Technical Area personnel in survey, layout and construction of conservation practices.  This working relationship will also continue for non-engineering practices.

A.  High Priority Erosion Problems

High priority erosion problems mean areas where erosion from wind or water is occurring equal to, or in excess of, “2 x T” tons per acre per year or is occurring on any area that exhibits active gully erosion or is identified as high priority in the comprehensive local water plan or the conservation district’s comprehensive plan.

State cost-share funds will be used to install critical area stabilization, diversions, field windbreaks, grass waterways, waste management systems, riparian buffer strips, sediment retention, erosion or water control structures, stream bank stabilization, shore land and roadside protection and terraces.

Wind erosion and water erosion can occur in most parts of the District as is shown on the maps on page 21and 22. These maps show the general location of wind and water erosion problems in the County.  Priority will be given to the areas identified on page 9 but will not be limited to those areas. 

 A picture of a well that was sealed in Martin County.

B.  High Priority Water Quality Problems

 “High priority water quality problems” mean areas where sediment, nutrients, chemicals, or other pollutants discharge to Department of Natural Resources designated protected waters or to any high priority waters as identified in the District’s comprehensive plan, or discharge to a sinkhole or groundwater.  The pollutant delivery rate to the water source is in amounts that will impair the quality or usefulness of the water resources. 

On page 22 is a map generated by the Martin County Water Plan office showing the general location of high priority sedimentation problems.  Approximately 10,000 acres (2%) in Martin County are designated in the high priority sedimentation category.

High priority sedimentation problems will be addressed county wide with priority given to the Impaired Waters identified on page 9. These impaired waters will be addressed when implementation plans and funding are provided. As can be seen by the Martin County Water Plan map (page 22) the problem is not localized to a particular area.

Martin County completed a very comprehensive feedlot inventory in 1994; high priority feedlots can be identified from this inventory.  The major livestock enterprise in Martin County is confined hog systems.  Because of the facilities used, the pollution potential on the majority of these feedlots is low.  Because of this, high priority feedlots are a concern but not a major emphasis for the District.

IV.  Budget Requirements

Budget requirements outline the funds needed by the District for staff, cost-sharing, and operating expenses.  This budget has been prepared for the twelve month period ending Dec. 31, 2010.  It has been formulated using the best estimates of the District Supervisors and office staff.  

Budgeting and funding is becoming more difficult for the District.  Shortfalls in the State budget and cuts to counties will affect our budget.  Clean Water Legacy Funds will hopefully be a source of funding for the District for years to come.

Martin SWCD Proposed Calendar Year 2010 Budget

V.  Closing

This Annual Plan of Work will guide the District in addressing high priority problems in high priority areas.  Other resource concerns such as lack of woodland and wildlife habitat, and public awareness will also be addressed by the District and NRCS staff.

The actions the District has planned are high in terms of goal setting.  Obviously, much more resource conservation is needed to protect all acres in the District adequately.

This plan can be used as a stepping-stone to improve Martin SWCD’s program functions.  We will continue to set high goals in future years as resource conservation becomes ever more critical.