Natural Resources Conservation Council

 

Natural Resources Conservation Council

Attendance: Dave Stevens, Ed Leonard, Daniel O'Brien, Bill Manning, Fred Humphrey, Christen Kaiser, Ed Pomainville, Fran Keeler, John Titchner, Phil Benedict, Commissioner Leon Graves.

Vice Chair, Ed Pomainville, opened the meeting at 9:38.

The Council received eight grant requests most of which were for the full amount (16,000). The Council reviewed each grant separately against the Council Mission and Goals. Each member listed the Outcomes that each they wanted to achieve with the funds. The results are given below. I would like to thank Fran Keeler, NRCS, for excellent facilitation of the process.

OUTCOMES FOR GRANTS

* Increase Visibility and viability of Districts

* Has Strong partnership's

* Demonstrates Districts ability to play a meaningful role in the basin

planning

* Sustains the ability of Districts

* Shows District connection to the local community

* Acts as a model to other districts

* Promotes stewardship

* Active involvement of District in planning process

* Related to TMDL process

* Provides public education on WQ regulatory process

* Districts are recognized as primary delivery system for natural

resource issues

Each grant was measured individually against these outcomes. All Council members commented on the quality of all grants submitted. It was agreed that a major consideration was to have some measurable success in basin planning to show the legislature next year. These success stories will be used as an argument for increased funding for Districts.

Ed Leonard, (DEC rep) informed the Council that all of these grants were reviewed by DEC/Water Quality division. DEC was very interested in the grants and would consider funding some on their own. They have a pool of watershed planning funds (VT general fund dollars) that could be used for these. It may require a little tweaking of the grants to fit their needs. DEC was also very impressed with the quality and scope of all the grants.

There was much discussion of the grants and overall merits of each.

A motion was made by Phil Benedict that the Council will fully fund the Lamoille grant ($15,980), unless DEC is willing to match Council Funds. Then the Council would half fund both Lamoille and Poultney-Mettawee, with DEC making up the balance. DEC must make a decision by April 1, 2001. This motion was seconded by Fred Humphrey. The motion passed unanimously.

The Executive Secretary was directed to sending a letter to Wally McClean, Director of Water Quality, with the Councils decision and request for matching funds. This letter will attach

a copy of all the grants and suggest that these are valuable projects for both Districts and DEC and if possible they should be funded.

Commissioner Leon Graves addressed the Council about budget and legislative issues. The Governors budget includes $ 1.2 million in the general fund for agriculture programs. These include $ 600 k for the Lake Champlain CREP proposal, and $ 600 K as additional base for VDAF&M. These funds will be used for additional Lake Champlain CREP funds ($ 60 K), a state wide CREP program ($250 k), and cost share for annual practices (200 k) which include nutrient management. There are also funds for two new positions, ($ 100 k) an additional field agent and a CREP coordinator and a technical assistance research coordinator. There is also $ 1 million for the state BMP program and supplemental funds for West Nile virus work. The NE Dairy compact is being funded at the $300 K level. Other legislative issues include wetlands and implements of husbandry.

With on other business the Council adjourned.

Respectfully submitted.

Jon W. Anderson, Executive Secretary NRCC

*Approved on May 8, 2001