WACD ACTIVITY REPORTWACD ACTIVITY REPORTJULY 1, 2003- JUNE 30, 2004JULY 1, 2003- JUNE 30, 2004

The collective efforts of the WACD Board of Directors and staff

and the partners we work with.

DISTRICT OPERATIONSDISTRICT OPERATIONS Attended Wyoming Board of Ag meetings to

represent districts – Powell, Cheyenne, Douglas Conducted annual awards program Assisted host districts with 2003 Area

Meetings/Convention 2003 Represented Wyoming at Western Coalition

meeting – Colorado Springs, CO Provide staff support to Coalition, prepared

minutes, agendas, board packets, budget, job descriptions, etc.

Ag Unity meeting – August 2003

Track legislation, testify and represent districts during legislative session Feb. 9 – March 5

Represent districts at Joint Corporations Committee meeting 7-03, Casper

Represent districts at Jt. Agriculture Committee 9-03

Coordinate and host district legislative reception

Provide legislative orientation and training to participants

Participate in Laramie County CD legislative luncheon

Mill levy efforts: Hot Springs CD Laramie County CDPopo Agie CDNiobrara CD

Tracked state funding requirements for Districts

Assist district with personnel/consultant issues, contracts, etc.

Work with Dept. of Ag on district bonding status and rules

Participate in coordination conference calls with Ag group Execs.

Published quarterly “Conservation Communique” Produced and distributed to approximately 500

WACD Conservation District directories Review several special district statutes, loan

program statutes, and prepare draft revisions of conservation district law under WACD leadership and District Law TF guidance

Attend Stock Growers/Wool Growers Convention – 12-03, Casper

Develop calendar of deadlines/events for districts

Represented Wyoming at NACD National Convention – Kona, Hawaii/Assisted with NACD Legislative fundraising auction

Produced and Distributed approximately 200 WACD Policy Books Coordinated,with special thanks to Washakie and Hot Springs CD, NACD CEO visit/tour Updated Supervisor Training modules presented during 2003 Area meetings Updated District Procedures Manual and created web based manual

CONSERVATION CONSERVATION FORESTRYFORESTRY

Assisted with implementation of the $15,000 pass through funding to districts for seedling tree advertisement/training materials

Compiled and completed Forest Stewardship reporting

Inventoried and located WACD tree planters

Developed and distributed seedling tree order form

Coordinated billing for seedling trees – TOTAL SEEDLINGS STATEWIDE 193,780

Coordinated, with State Forestry, production and distribution of tree protectors – 6,080

Provided information on survival products such as weed barrier and hydrosource

Posted Conservation forestry information on web site

Issued two template press releases to district to promote seedling sales

EDUCATIONEDUCATION Updated WACD web site Participated in Wyoming

Public Radio Interview 11-03

Presentation to Wyoming County Commissioners Association 4-04, Torrington

Participate with Washakie County CD in Ag Week radio interview

Kaycee Ag Trade Show AFO/CAFO Article for

W.I.F.E National Org.

Began Coalition for Wyoming Water education campaign

Assisted in raising approximately $30,000 to implement education campaign

Developed web site for campaign

Participate in Stock Growers Environmental Stewardship Tour

ENVIRONMENTENVIRONMENT Continued to request federal funding earmark for

Wyoming NRCS for accelerated soil survey Provide information on soil survey to State Lands

Dept. director With NRCS assistance, provide information on

progress made with NRCS soil survey funds Explore Dept. of Energy grant funds for soil

survey work Attend Carbon Sequestration meeting 3-04,

Cheyenne

Assist with restoring full funding to Carbon Sequestration legislation

Smoke regulations/survey – participate in meetings with Irrigation Districts, Farm Bureau and DEQ

Attend two Governor Drought Task Force meetings

Presentation to NRCS Regional Soil Survey Conference, Jackson

Assisted with obtaining sponsorship/attended Carbon Sequestration Conference, Casper

PRIVATE, STATE & PRIVATE, STATE & FEDERAL LANDS FEDERAL LANDS

• Represent districts at NRCS state technical committeeRepresent districts at NRCS state technical committeemeetingsmeetings•Meet with Governor’s new planning staff 7-03Meet with Governor’s new planning staff 7-03•Meet with Governor’s staff, Dept. of Ag, and Ag Meet with Governor’s staff, Dept. of Ag, and Ag groups in regard to “Resource Advisory Councils”groups in regard to “Resource Advisory Councils”• Represent WACD at NRCS all employees meetingRepresent WACD at NRCS all employees meeting•Participate in National Environmental Policy Act Participate in National Environmental Policy Act training – 5-04, Thermopolistraining – 5-04, Thermopolis•Meet with John Masterson, Governor’s Advisor – 2-13, Meet with John Masterson, Governor’s Advisor – 2-13, CheyenneCheyenne

Prepare and submit comments on “Conservation Security Program” proposed rules

Prepare inventory of district involvement in federal land planning, distribute to Governor’s office, districts, etc.

Submit comments on BLM proposed Grazing regulations (comments provided by Jean Dickinson)

Coordinated groups to file amicus brief in Roadless appeal

Assisted with printing handouts/sponsorship of Cheatgrass tour

WATER RESOURCESWATER RESOURCES Assisted with legislative

effort to continue $675,000 in water quality funding for districts

Refilled NRCS/WACD Watershed Coordinator position

Developed new NRCS/WACD Northern Wyoming Watershed Coordinator position to meet demand

Watershed planning coordination meeting – DEQ, WDA and NRCS – 8-03, Casper

AFO Tours in Washakie and Goshen County AFO Workshop - Medicine Bow CD AFO Presentation Ag Day, Greybull Presentation to Wyoming State Planners

convention on watershed efforts – 9-03, Cheyenne Coordinate Macroinvertebrate project Issue Request for Proposals to districts for water

quality funds Develop recommended qualifications for Data

Analysis & Interpretation

Develop Septic System Information/Education brochure, project ranking criteria, and homeowner self assessment

Attend Septic Conference in California

Coordinate Phase I training, Wheatland Participated in meetings/criteria modification

on Water Development Commission Small Water Development program Letter to Game & Fish in regard to “public trust doctrine” and instream flow program issues

Begin communications with UW on water quality training/certification program

Coordinate and host water quality refresher training – 5-04, Casper

In-field Ecoli training, Riverton

Continued implementation of 319 AFO

cost-share and information education program Presented at a water lecture series – 9-03,

Casper Coordinate District lab analysis funds issues

with Dept. of Ag TMDL workgroup meeting – 10-03, Casper Coordinated and submitted comprehensive

comments on DEQ 2004 305(b) report/303(d) list

Nonpoint Source Task Force – 11-03, Cheyenne

WWDC meeting 5-03 conveyed concerns with Small Water Program/Game & Fish Instream flow, Cheyenne

Meet with DEQ Director and staff – 10-03, Cheyenne Assist districts with Watershed Improvement District

formation issues Respond to requests from Senator Thomas for

information on EPA budget issues Distributed funding to districts for Data Analysis and

Interpretation Developed agreement with UW for graduate student

assistance on data analysis/reference stream program issues

Presentation to NACD Southwest and Pacific Regions on Wyoming AFO/CAFO program

Worked on MOU with NRCS and Water Development

Developed “Western Watershed Conference” concept paper for Western Coalition Chair

Assisted the following Districts with Assisted the following Districts with watershed planning/water quality watershed planning/water quality

issues on listed waters:issues on listed waters:

Campbell County CD

Crook County CD

Hot Springs CD

Laramie County CD

Lower Wind River CD

Platte County RD

Washakie County CD

Powder River CD

Star Valley CD

Sweetwater County CD

Washakie County CD

Uinta County CD

Lincoln CD

WILDLIFEWILDLIFE Meet with Governor’s staff, Dept. of Ag, Ag groups in

regard to Grizzly bear Attended Jt. Travel, Rec & Wildlife Committee

testified on Wildlife Forage Compensation bill Join Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation in signing

petition for “distinct population designation” for Grizzly bear

Meeting with Bureau of Land Management and Ag groups in regard to BLM Sage Grouse Management Plan, 9-03, Casper

Join Wyoming Wolf Coalition in filing suit against Fish & Wildlife over wolf plan rejection

Work with Ag & Petroleum organizations on Wildlife Trust fund issue

Submitted comments and attended public hearing on Prebles Meadow Mouse 4-d rule extension

ON BEHALF OF

WACD BOARD OF DIRECTORS

& STAFF

THANK YOU TO THE DISTRICTS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND CONFIDENCE

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR PARTNERS!