North Dakota State Soil Conservation Committee
North Dakota State University - NDSU Extension Service   

NORTH  DAKOTA  STATE  SOIL  CONSERVATION  COMMITTEE 
2718 Gateway Ave., #104 - Bismarck, ND 58503
Phone: (701) 328-9718 - Fax: (701) 328-9721

MINUTES 
of the  
State Soil Conservation Committee meeting

 Bismarck, North Dakota

 March 7, 2006    

A meeting of the North Dakota State Soil Conservation Committee was held at the Fort Union Room, State Capitol, Bismarck, North Dakota.  The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m., on March 7, with Chair Thomas Christensen presiding.  The following persons attended all or a portion of the meetings:     

committee members present   
Robert Blegen, Supervisor, Area I 
Keith Bartholomay, Supervisor, Area II 
Lynette Wood, Supervisor, Area IV  
Shorty Hoerauf, Supervisor, Area V  
Lowell Disrud, Appointee  
Thomas Christensen, Appointee      

committee members ABSENT   
Duane Hawk, Supervisor, Area III     

advisors present   
J.R. Flores, State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS  
Gary Puppe, Executive Vice President, NDASCD 
Dwight Comfort, Water Resources Engineer, ND State Water Commission 
Doug Howie, Assistant Private Lands Program Section Leader, ND State Game and Fish 
Gerald Sturn, District Director, NDSU Extension Service 
Judy Carlson, ND Department of Agriculture     

others present 
Scott Hochhalter, Soil Conservation Specialist, NDSU Extension Service 
Roxanne Johnson, President, NDASCD 
Duane Hauck, Director, NDSU Extension Service 
Jack Russell, Assistant State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS 
Jennifer Heglund, Assistant State Conservationist, USDA-NRCS     

APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
IT WAS MOVED BY COMMITTEE DISRUD, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BLEGEN, AND CARRIED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 11, 2006 COMMITTEE MEETING AS DISTRIBUTED.  Committee Members Hoerauf, Wood, Disrud, Blegen, Bartholomay and Christensen voted “Aye.”  No negative votes were cast. 
 

NDASCD UPDATE

Gary Puppe highlighted the events and activities of the 2006 NACD Convention.  He reviewed the Resolutions from ND that passed and failed:

            Passed              -Reinstate Graduated penalties for Swamp buster violations    -Change CCRP grazing rules

            Failed                -Increase funding for the Conservation Security Program (with a 10% reduction of CRP acres).     

Gary Puppe reviewed the NDASCD Area II, III and V Meetings held.  He motioned that Dennis Haugen was elected as Director from Area II, Jim Teigen was re-elected as Director from Area III, Dennis Reich and Marc Schriefer were elected as Directors from Area V.    

Gary Puppe mentioned that Roger Zetocha was elected to the State Soil Conservation Committee in Area II.   

CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS   
Jack Russell reviewed the NRCS funding trends.  He indicated that the local conservation workload has been increasing since 2002 due to conservation programs.  A coordinated effort is needed to address conservation practice needs for 2006.  The new administrative contribution agreements with soil conservation districts have good interest.    

Jennifer Heglund presented information on a computer program that NRCS designed and implemented for the purpose of assisting them in processing information to provide payments to producers more efficiently.     

SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT SUPERVISOR APPOINTMENT NEEDING APPROVAL  
Scott Hochhalter presented the following supervisor appointment to fill the following vacant elective position: 
The Morton County Soil Conservation District appointed Lance Gartner to the vacated elected position held by Elwood (Woody) Barth.  

IT WAS MOVED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BARTHOLOMAY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER HOERAUF AND CARRIED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF LANCE GARTNER TO THE MORTON COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT.  Committee Members Hoerauf, Wood, Disrud, Blegen, Bartholomay and Christensen voted “Aye.”  No negative votes were cast.    

CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE PROJECT  
The State Soil Conservation Committee reviewed and discussed the project.    

IT WAS MOVED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BLEGEN, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BARTHOLOMAY AND CARRIED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE THAT THE STATE SOI CONSERVATION COMMITTEE IS UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE PROJECT AT THIS TIME BUT WILL NOT ABANDON THE IDEA.  Committee Members Hoerauf, Wood, Disrud, Blegen, Bartholomay and Christensen voted “Aye.”  No negative votes were cast.    

NATURAL RESOURCES PROGRAMS OVERVIEW   
J.R. Flores distributed handouts on the Farm Bill Program Allocations since 1999.  He indicated that funding for EQIP has gone from $3,000,000 in 1999 to over $18,000,000 in 2006.  He reviewed North Dakota’s conservation programs performance incentive.  All of the states awarded incentive bonuses; North Dakota received the highest at over $2,900,000.  The funding will bring more participation in the conservation programs and provide more conservation benefits for producers and communities.  The performance incentive were made possible because of the conservation partnership effort between Federal, State and Local groups and individuals with the common goal of helping people help the land.    

J.R. Flores distributed Rancher’s Guide/Planner to Grass Management to the State Soil Conservation Committee.  The State Soil Conservation Committee thanked J.R Flores for delivering an effective and efficient conservation program in North Dakota.   

MEMBERSHIP DUES 
The State Soil Conservation Committee discussed the due notices from the National Association of State Conservation Agencies.    

2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSION    
Duane Hauck mentioned that the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education would focus around three themes, a diverse economy, an effective and efficient infrastructure and local leadership.  He reviewed two positions that would enhance natural resource education through the NDSU Extension Service.  The Natural Resources Conservation Position would enhance the utilization of conservation practices by producers and landowners to maintain and promote long-term soil health, sustainability and increase on farm profitability.  The Wildlife Position would provide educational programs and information that will help sustain North Dakota ranches and farms while increasing the public appreciation for the contribution of agriculture to wildlife and wildlife habitat and to provide scientific research based information to promote understanding of all aspects of wildlife management.     

IT WAS MOVED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BARTHOLOMAY, SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER DISRUD, AND CARRIED ON A ROLL CALL VOTE TO SUPPORT THE NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND WILDLIFE POSITIONS.  Committee Members Hoerauf, Wood, Disrud, Blegen, Bartholomay and Christensen voted “Aye.”  No negative votes were cast.    

CONSOLIDATION UPDATE  
Scott Hochhalter reported that the Western Grand Forks County and Eastern Grand Forks County Soil Conservation Districts consolidation vote would take place on June 13, 2006.  He mentioned that the consolidation process was reviewed with the Central Stark Co. and Western Soil Conservation Districts.    

ND STATE WATER COMMISSION  
Dwight Comfort reviewed water level in Lake Sakakawea.  As of March 1, the snow pack in the basin was near normal levels for this time of year.  The forecast simulation indicates Lake Sakakawea will peak at 1814.5 ft msl by the end of June.  Navigation Services level downstream from Sioux City will run at minimum service in 2006.  He also provided an update on Devils Lake and Stump Lake.     

ND DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE   
Judy Carlson reviewed the Project Safe Send Collection sites for 2006.    

There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.  

 Scott Hochhalter, Soil Conservationist Specialist
Recording Secretary    

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