STATE SOIL CONSERVATION COMMITTEE

Monthly Meeting Minutes,March 3, 2014

Quality Inn & Suites Starlite Village Conference Center, 2601 East 13th, Ames, IA 50010

SSCC

Sherman Lundy, Chair

Jean Eells

Jody Kerns

Dale Farnham

J. Kelly Tobin

Vance Hjelm

Tim Palmer

Partners

Clare Lindahl

Steve Hopkins

Jay Mar

DSC

Jim Gillespie

Vince Sitzmann

Jake Hansen

Tarrita Spicer

Meeting called to order at 6:01p.m.

2014 – 7Jean made a motion to approve the minutesfor theJanuary 27, 2014, meeting. Dale seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

Bureau Chief Reports

  • Field Services – Sitzmann (copy of report with file)
  • Looking to fill 2 fulltime State Technicians in high workload counties.
  • Received suggested guidance from State Auditor’s office on policy changes based on the situation in Mahaska SWCD.
  • Water Resources –Hansen (copy of report with file)
  • WIRB RFA closed 2/28/14, received 17 submissions totaling $4.4 million with $300K maximum per project.
  • Mines & Minerals –Kozak (copy of report with file)
  • 13 active AML projects.
  • Annual renewal fees were due 12/31/13. 183 out of 200 licensed operators have paid. Renewal confirmation notices will be sent out the week of February 24th.
  • Director’s Report – Gillespie (copy of report with file)
  • Employee of the month for February: Jackie Suckow
  • Budget review
  • Susan Kozak hired as Bureau Chief of Mines and Minerals Bureau effective, Feb. 14, 2014.
  • Reviewed Soil Conservation Division – Notice of Intended Action – Chapter 10 rules

Partner Reports

  • Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Hopkins (copy of report with file)
  • Watershed Project Coordinator meeting set for March 5th
  • 2014 Section 319 Applications will be limited to existing watershed projects.
  • Conservation Districts of Iowa – Lindahl (copy of report with file)
  • 59 Commissioners/Assistants from 37 SWCDs attended Partnership Day.
  • Spring Regionals update
  • Soil and Water Conservation Week: April 27th-May 4th, 2014
  • Natural Resource Conservation Service – Mar(copy of report with file)
  • Farm Bill/2014 Farm Bill Conservation Programs
  • New program classification

Old Business

SSCC Research & Demonstration Grant Updates– Spicer (copy of report with file)

Summer Tour 2014 Updates–Save the Date reviewed and will be sent following the meeting, discussed possible tour routes.

New Business

Soil Loss Limit – Worth County (FINAL)

2014 – 8Kelly made a motion to approve the soli loss limit request for Worth County. Jody seconded. Motion carried unanimously.

2014 Annual Conference-

  • Sept. 2nd- 4th with meetings the evening of the 2nd.
  • Annual conference planning committee conference call coming up.

SSCC Research & Demonstration Grant

  • Jean will put together language to for the committee to review and decide on how to do a round of grants.

Vacancy

  • Grundy SWCD: The Grundy SWCD would like to recommend James Evert to be appointed to the unexpired term of Joleen Siebert who passed away on February 4, 2014.

2014 – 9Jean made a motion to approve the recommendation for appointment of James Evert to the Grundy SWCD. Kelly seconded.

SSCC Member Reports

  • SSCC meetings represented and potentialtravel requests

Future Meetings

April 3rdThursday 10:00 a.m. Wallace Building

9:00 a.m. for a sub-committee meeting if needed

June 16th-18ththState Committee/CDI tour & meeting,

Tour, Tuesday,June 17th

CDI/SSCC: TBD,Joint Meeting

Rooms may be reserved under: Iowa Department of Agriculture

Lakeside Casino Resort 641-342-9511

Located: 777 Casino Dr., Osceola, IA 50213

April 27th – May 4th, 2013 – 2013 Soil & Water Conservation Week

September2014 Annual Conference – September 2nd -4th, 2014

Spring Regionals

March 12thReg. 1 – Plymouth – 10:00 a.m.

Reg. 5 – Harrison – 4:00 p.m.

March 13thReg. 3 – Hardin – 10:00 a.m.

Reg. 2 – Webster – 4:00 p.m.

Meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.