Long Range Plan - Missoula Conservation District

8/3/2019 Long Range Plan - Missoula Conservation District

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MISSOULA

CONSERVATIONDISTRICT

LONG RANGE PLANFY2006 FY2010


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FY2001-FY2005LONG RANGE PLAN

MISSOULA CONSERVATION DISTRICTLONG RANGE PLAN

2006 - 2010PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Missoula Conservation District is to promotesustainable resource management for all natural resources inMissoula County.

GOALS: (In order of priority)

1. Improve and Protect Water Quality, Stream Corridors andStream and Riparian Habitats

2. Improve and Protect Water Availability

3. Mitigate Resource Impacts of Suburban Development in RuralAreas.

4. Promote Wise Land Use Practices:A. Riparian Management

B. Weed ControlC.Grazing ManagementD.Woodland ManagementE. Sustainable Agriculture

5. Increase Public Awareness of Conservation Districts Role andResponsibilities.

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Improve and Protect Surface and Ground Water Quality

Education: Through administration of SB-310 law, videos, publications, tours,workshops, news articles, demonstration projects, participation with agencies, groups.

-Administration of the 310 law:

Distribute Districts 310 Permit brochure, Stream Crossing Guide, and Maintaining aHealthy Riparian Buffer Along Streams and Rivers to landowners and groups andcontinue to work one-on-one with individual landowners through the 310 permit process.

Publicize 310 Law in District newsletter and Missoulian at least once a year. Publish anews article on water quality once a year in the District newsletter relative to waterquality. Inform landowners of the water quality conservation practices through theDistrict newsletter and one-on-one with potential problems, consequences and BMPs.

Provide training sessions and presentations to groups, realtors, and developers on 310Law and stream permits.

Continue participation on State 310 Steering Committee on development of educationalmaterials on stream projects and 310 Law.

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-Participation with agencies/groups:

Coordinate with Local, State, Tribal, and Federal Stream Permitting Agencies on allstream projects, with the 310 Permits, Floodplain Permit, Streamside ManagementZone, Navigable Streams Permits, 318 Permits, 124 Permits, Tribal Shoreline

Protection Permits, and 404 Permits.

Participate with Upper Clark Fork Basin Watershed Group, Blackfoot Challenge,Ninemile Watershed Group, and Lolo Watershed Group on development of basin-wideplanning projects.

Inform and encourage landowner and group participation in federal, state and localprograms available to help with stream restoration and water quality improvementprojects.

Technical Assistance: Priority is given to District Cooperators for available time

and assistance through the District. Conservation practices involving water qualityimprovement are given high priority. Planning on an overall watershed basis isencouraged, but the District will continue to provide technical assistance on anindividual basis and through the 310 Law throughout the County.

Provide technical assistance to watershed planning groups on Lolo Creek, Upper ClarkFork Basin, and Ninemile Creek, and Morrell Creek Irrigation Group.

Provide technical assistance on streambank improvement, channel stabilization, properculvert sizing and installation, irrigation diversion structures, and development of off-stream water sources, through administration of the 310 Law with the continued

assistance of the Districts NRCS and MFW&P partners.

Develop Best Management Practices and Conservation Plans with landowners andimplement. Address stream health, wetlands, riparian management, treatment oflivestock waste, sedimentation from runoff, pesticides and fertilizers in eachconservation plan. Each conservation plan should address proposed resource usealternatives for year-round use of the resources.

Funding of Projects:

Watershed and stream restoration cost-share funding through District sponsored grants,

District funding and District cost-share program, giving high priority to stream restorationor enhancement projects.

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Improve and Protect Water Availability

Education: Through irrigation study, irrigation water management plans, administrationof 310 Law, news articles, snow survey forecasts.

Participate and publicize the NRCS Snow Survey Program and data to aid landownersin forecasting and planning for projected water availability for each coming irrigationseason based on snow pack depths and moisture content by drainage, throughMissoulian and District newsletter articles.

Technical Assistance: Priority is given to District Cooperators for available timeand assistance through the District. Conservation practices to improve and protectwater availability are given second priority behind water quality practices.

Promote irrigation water management on all sprinkler and flood irrigated acres thoughconservation planning. Provide technical assistance with continued help of NRCSpartners in designing and improving water use and delivery systems. Assist landownerswith water use measurement.

Work with private landowners and ditch companies on maintaining instream flows,

designing structures for fish passage, and installation of fish screens. Provide technicalassistance through NRCS partners, and continue to coordinate with MFW&P on FutureFisheries projects.

Funding of Projects:

Funding of conservation practices with irrigators through the District cost-shareprogram. Continue providing sponsorship of grants for irrigation improvement projects.

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Mitigate Resource Impacts of Suburban Development inRural Areas

Education: Continue to enhance public awareness of resource management,floodplains, riparian areas, and water rights through videos, news articles, publications,displays, group presentations, and administration of the 310 Law.

Provide information about resource management on small acreages to current andprospective landowners in rural areas. Promote and continue distribution of the videoThese Few Acres, the displays, accompanying handouts, and printed booklet Tips onLand and Water Management for Small Farms and Ranches in Montana: withhomeowner, associations, horse groups, fair displays, special events, and in-officedisplay.

Continue to participate on the Bitterroot RC&D Council. Appoint a District Supervisor toattend the meetings, and report back at each months meeting on results. Continueworking with Extension Service on small acreage ownership, and weed control.

Continue working with the Missoula County Open Lands Working Group, Five ValleysLand Trust, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Montana Land Reliance to providelandowners information on conservation easements.

Provide landowners, realtors, and developers with information on stream, floodplainand riparian function, permits and regulations.

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Technical Assistance: Priority is given to District Cooperators for available timeand assistance through the District. Conservation practices on suburban developmentareas are encouraged and prioritized behind water quality and quantity improvementmeasures.

Provide conservation planning assistance to small acreage landowners. Encouragegroup planning within subdivisions, homeowners associations, etc. for riparian, grazing,

and wildlife enhancement.

Provide soils information for housing construction, septic system installations, and roadsas requested on proposed subdivision reviews with written material and on-siteinvestigations through NRCS partners.

Funding: Sponsorship of grants and funding of conservation practices with smallacreage landowners through the Districts cost-share program.

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Promote Wise Land Use Practices

A) RIPARIAN MANAGEMENT Riparian areas have high value due to theirdiversity, relative limited amounts and high demands for their use.

Education:

Make the public aware of laws and regulations governing riparian areas such as the 310Law, floodplain regulations through the Missoula Office of Community Development, theState Water Quality Act, Federal Clean Water Act, restrictions on draining and fillingwetlands, and SMZ Law.

Continue to provide presentations, workshops, publications, and direct mailings tosubdivisions, groups, individuals on protection and enhancement of riparian areas.

Distribute Districts brochure on Maintaining a Healthy Riparian Buffer Along Streamsand Rivers promoting protection of land, water, fish and wildlife with streamsidevegetation.

Promote and in cases require preservation or restoration of riparian buffers alongperennial-flowing streams and rivers through the 310 Law and Permits.

Technical Assistance: Conservation practices involving riparian management aregiven high priority, due to water quality and water quantity effects on the resource.

Provide technical assistance in wetland delineation, stream improvement practices,reparation buffer protection and restoration, development of off-stream water, irrigation,grazing, and harvesting management, through conservation planning.

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Implement Best Management Practices through requirements of the 310 permits,District cost-share program, to ensure project installations will not have an adverseeffect on the stream or surrounding riparian area, providing technical information andassistance to implement these BMPs through District staff and NRCS.

Work with public land management agencies and private landowners to addresscumulative effects and watershed planning.

Funding: Provide cost-share funding to private landowners and groups through theDistrict and NRCS cost-share programs.

B) WEED CONTROL Weed infestations result in loss of plant diversity, loss ofproductivity to the resource, loss of habitat for wildlife, increased erosion and runoff.

Education: Promote public education about weed prevention and control. Continueworking with the Missoula Valley Land Managers Committee, County WeedSupervisors, Extension Service and weed districts to promote group planning andresource management practices.

Work with County Weed Supervisors and State Department of Agriculture on the

inventory of weed infestations and new weeds found to be invading Missoula County.Cooperated with the County Weed Department to promote their programs and assist inany research.

Technical Assistance: Work with private landowners and groups on implementation ofweed management plans.

Develop integrated pest management practices through conservation plans withindividuals and groups.

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FY2001-FY2005LONG RANGE PLANFunding: Provide cost-share funding to private landowners and groups through theDistrict and NRCS cost-share program.

C) GRAZING MANAGEMENT Livestock grazing impacts plants, soils, streams,and wildlife; and can have major impacts on riparian areas, valley bottoms,grasslands and woodland.

Education:

Provide public information about good range management practices, for plannedgrazing systems, proper grazing use, fencing, spring developments, salting, riding. .

Technical Assistance: Grazing management is given high priority as it affects waterquality, quantity, suburban development, riparian management, weeds, woodlandmanagement, and agricultural sustainability.

Provide technical assistance to landowners on how to select and implement grazingBMPs in each conservation plan involving livestock management.

Continue to develop grazing management plans with private ranchers, Plum Creek

Timber Company, DNRC, USFS, BLM, Stimson Lumber Co. and grazing leases onwoodland grazing leases, implement grazing BMPs and follow-up on grazing use andcontinue stream monitoring.

Follow up on planned and implemented grazing systems with landowners and groupsand monitor riparian area and upland range ecological conditions.

Funding: Provide cost-share funding for grazing improvement practices through theDistricts and NRCS cost-share programs.

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D) WOODLAND MANAGEMENT Woodland management includes growth andharvest of trees, wildfire protection, wildlife, roads, weeds, multiple land management,and watershed management.

Education: Provide information to landowners on woodland management options,forestry BMPs, and the regulations of the State SMZ Law (Streamside ManagementZone) and 310 Law.

Continue coordination with DNRC Forestry, NRCS, RC&D, and rural fire departmentson wildfire protection, thinning, pruning, slash cleanup, and creating defensible spacearound homes and buildings.

Technical Assistance: Priority given woodland management practices varydepending on their effects on watersheds, etc.

Provide technical assistance for management of the overstory and understory:silverculture, livestock grazing, and wildlife habitat improvement.

Encourage landowners to participate in Forest Stewardship Program, NRCS EQIPProgram, and DNRC Forestry Programs such as FIP. Follow-up with formerparticipants of these programs on implementation of their plans.

Funding: Provide assistance and information on government and local cost-shareprograms available to forest landowners as well as funding Forestry BMPs through theDistricts and NRCS cost-share programs.

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E) SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE This involves long-term resourceplanning to maintain soil productivity, water quality and quantity, proper nutrient cyclingto sustain a balance between production, economics and the environment.

Education: Educate private landowners through District newsletter, Conservation Daytours, and on-site conservation planning.

Continue working with the Missoula County Open Lands Working Group, Five ValleysLand Trust, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Montana Land Reliance to providelandowners information on conservation easements, and other alternatives tosubdivision.

Promote the NRCS Farmland Protection Program and provide landowners information.

Technical Assistance: Priority given to low-input sustainable agriculture variesdepending on its effects on the resources. Practices directly effecting natural resourcesustainability will receive high priority.

Address irrigation water management, pasture and hayland management, properfertilization and chemical application in each conservation plan from an ecological andeconomical aspect. Encourage soil testing for fertility and organic matter; monitor plantcommunities for ecological condition trend and vigor, as measures of success or failure

of implemented practices. Strive for zero soil loss for long-term sustainability of theland.

Continued participation and support of the NRCS Plant Materials Center in developingsuperior sources of plant varieties (native and introduced) requiring less input offertilizers, chemicals.

Funding: Assistance private landowners with cost-share funding for implementation ofsustainable agricultural measures through Districts cost-share program, NRCS cost-share programs, and sponsorship of grant funding.

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Basin-Wide Watershed Planning Projects:

Missoula Conservation District supports basin-wide planning efforts as the mosteffective way to determine the overall health of a watershed and the cumulative effectsof land use practices. The District is currently working with the following watershedgroups in Missoula County:

Ninemile Creek Watershed Group: Sponsorship of a DEQ 319 Grant to develop

a TMDL Plan for the Ninemile Drainage. Support and technical assistance forimplementation of the resulting TMDL Plan.

Lolo Watershed: Continued sponsorship of DNRC Watershed Planning Grantsand support and technical assistance for implementation of the Lolo WatershedPlan with the Lolo Watershed Group. Continue sponsorship and follow-up withPlum Creek Timber Company, USFS, Lolo National Forest, and MT DOT on theUpper Lolo Creek TMDL Plan, and assistance in implementation projects wherepossible.

Upper Clark Fork Steering Committee: Continued participation with this

Committee and support and technical assistance for implementation of on-the-ground projects in Missoula County.

Blackfoot Challenge: Participation in Blackfoot Challenge group meetings andsupport and technical assistance for implementation of projects in MissoulaCounty within the Blackfoot and Clearwater Valleys.

Continue participation with Lake Conservation District on the implementation ofthe Swan River TMDL Plan.

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Increase Public Awareness of Conservation Districts Roleand Responsibilities

Maintain Districts web page www.missoulacd.org and update and revise as needed,providing the public and all government agencies with a comprehensive overview of theDistricts current meetings, newsletters, publications and forms.

Develop and publicize an Annual Report of the Districts accomplishments and projectseach year.

Promote the Districts Programs at the Missoula County Fair, and through ConservationDay tours.

Promote youth understanding of resource management and the role and programs ofthe Missoula Conservation District. Continue to support and sponsor the NaturalResources Youth Camp, Range Camp, Leave No Weeds, and outdoor classrooms withgrade schools and high schools throughout Missoula County.

Produce a District Newsletter with subject matter geared to the time of year. Scheduleto come out in April, August and November.

Continue publishing and distribution of education materials developed by MissoulaConservation District promoting resource conservation.

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http://www.missoulacd.org/http://www.missoulacd.org/


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EDUCATION MATERIALS DEVELOPED BY THE DISTRICT:

310 Permit Brochure: A brochure to inform landowners about the 310 Law andprocedures.

Guide to Stream Crossings: A guide to best management practices for installation ofbridges, culverts and fords.

Maintaining a Healthy Riparian Buffer Along Streams and Rivers. An informationalbrochure on protecting, land, water, fish & wildlife with streamside vegetation.

Tips on Land & Water Management for Small Farms and Ranches in Montana: This isa brochure, which was developed by the Conservation District and the DNRC tocompliment the video These Few Acres. The brochure was done to help informlandowners and land developers of appropriate land and water managementpractices for small acreage. Also, how to apply conservation practices on the land

and sources of technical assistance.

The Montana Weed Project: The Montana Weed Project is an interdisciplinaryenvironmental and weed education curriculum for educators of fifth through twelfthgrade students. It is a five-part curriculum on noxious weeds, spotted knapweed andleafy spurge in particular. The curriculum includes a teachers manual with readingassignments, class discussions, and instructional video and interdisciplinary hands-onactivities.

The Clark Fork Watershed Education Project: The Clark Fork Watershed EducationProject is a complete watershed education curriculum designed to provide middle and

high school teachers in the Clark Fork basin with the knowledge and enthusiasm toeffectively teach students about the characteristics of watersheds. The curriculumconsists of a teachers manual, instructional videos and hands-on activities.

The Silent Invasion: Spotted Knapweed & Leafy Spurge: The Silent Invasion is a 30-minute educational video on two of Montanas most noxious weeds, spotted knapweedand leafy spurge. Topics introduced are weed identification, control, management,economic impacts of weed infestations and awareness.

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SCHOOLS YOUTH EDUCATION:

Mini grants: The District sponsors several mini grants per year. These grants areeither pass-through funding from DNRC or sponsored directly by the District.

Natural Resource Youth Camp: The Youth Camp targets 10th 12th grade studentsand introduces them to the variety of natural resources found in our state. The Districtsponsors 2 students per year to this camp as well as the District staff participating asinstructors.

Envirothon: The Envirothon is open to students grades 9-12 statewide and offershands-on instruction and problem solving for environmentally concerned students andmotivates them to further their knowledge and skills through a state and nationalcompetition. The District sponsors up to 2 teams per year to the state competition and

assists the winning team in the national competition.

Montana Range Camp: The District sponsors up to two students per year to theMontana Range Camp.

Duke University Graduate Forestry Western Field Tour: A day tour every other yearto allow the students to meet with local ranchers and land managers to learn about localresource concerns.

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Long Range Plan - Missoula Conservation District

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