Wake Soil & Water Conservation District

Transcription

1 July, 203 through June 30, 204 Wake Soil & Water Conservation District Mission: To protect the natural resources of Wake County through voluntary technical, educational and funding assistance to citizens, businesses, communities, municipalities and partners. Soil & Water Conservation Department

2 Wake County Highlights,372 Farmland acres protected by Conservation Management Plans Farmland Preservation Plan endorsed by Board of Commissioners 4 Educators trained in conservation education $07,885 Federal and state funds to landowners installing conservation practices 44 Cost Share contracts signed 795 Acres of BMPs installed Staying on Course The FY year was remarkable for the Wake Soil and Water Conservation District. We exhausted state funds for BMPs, we provided the Wake County Board of Commissioners with a farmland preservation plan that they endorsed, and we maintained consistent implementation of conservation practices that protect water quality. As our robust Triangle area continues to rebound economically, we continue to measure an increase in the number our farm and forest landowners who reach out to the Wake District for our services and technical assistance. This report provides a summary of our accomplishments for FY4. Wake County has seen a significant increase in active participation of landowner management due to farm bill changes, tax valuation concerns, and the transition of multi-generational family member involvement. This new commitment has created a workload increase for the technical staff. The Board of Supervisors incorporated new priority rankings to align our resources to respond to the pressing challenges facing our agribusiness communities. The Soil and Water Conservation Department continues to request additional technical and data processing staff to address the growing backlog of requests. The staff continues to work as efficient as possible and seek our partnering conservation organizations to help our landowners address all natural resource concerns. The 204 Farm Bill will bring new challenges, as it ties USDA benefits for farmers to their active, and UPDATED, conservation plans. The Wake District will do our best to meet the needs of Wake County s farmers. We look forward to continued success while charting a new course in natural resources management in North Carolina s capital county.,66 Volunteers engaged in environmental stewardship Thomas R. Dean, Chairman Wake Soil and Water Conservation District 2

3 Wake County s Conservation Team Staff and Leaders Wake County Soil and Water Conservation Department County Staff Teresa Furr, Natural Resources Conservationist Teresa Hice, Natural Resources Conservationist Sheila Jones, Environmental Educator Dale Threatt-Taylor, District Director Josh Vetter, Natural Resources Conservationist USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Raleigh Field Office Staff Matthew Kinane, District Conservationist Themis Stone, Soil Conservationist Special Soils Project Larry Sink, Soil Scientist National Headquarters Special Assignment Marshall Jean, National Safety Officer Elected and appointed officials Wake Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors Thomas Dean, Chair William Cole, Vice-Chair Marshall Harvey, Secretary Treasurer Patrick Johnson Jennifer Wadsworth Associate Board of Supervisors David Adams Quincy Adams Marilyn Grolitzer Robin Hammond Sam Laurie Laura Parker Larry Perry John Phelps John Rogers Carlyle Teague Matthew Whitfield Donnie Woodlief Voluntary Agricultural District Advisory Committee Patrick Johnson, Chair 3

4 Technical Services Wake County Board of Commissioners Goal: Community Partnership and Economic Development Objective: Work with Wake County s farm and agribusiness communities to facilitate their efforts for farmland preservation and economic viability. Water Quality Best Management Practices & Conservation on the Land The Wake Soil and Water Conservation District is in the forefront of natural resources work and water quality protection. The District strategically focuses its projects on priority watersheds, impaired streams, and targeted funding areas for state and federal water quality improvements. The priority areas are Falls Lake, Little River, Swift Creek and Jordan Lake all drinking water supply watersheds. Priority is then directed to rural areas that have EPA 303(d) impaired streams and working lands active in farm, forest, and local food production. Our engineers designed this compost facility to prevent animal waste problems in watersheds across Wake County. Left unaddressed, nutrient loading will create water quality issues and health concerns. Conservation plans and practices are implemented to correct problems and eliminate nutrient runoff to streams and water supply sources. Work is directed to match the resource concerns that are increasing due to Wake County s extensive number of horse operations with nutrient management concerns. The District responds to these concerns with collaborative funding projects to address stormwater erosion issues, but state funds are limited. Citizens and businesses provide a shared cost amount for each project. Accomplishments,37.8 acres of comprehensive Conservation Management Plans were written to protect natural resources on forest and farmland acres of Conservation Best Management Practices were installed to protect and improve water quality.,99.7 tons of Sediment was prevented from reaching streams and rivers by completed conservation practices. 389 site visits were made by District staff to Wake County Farms. 9,664 square feet of Best Management Practices were installed as part of the Community Conservation Assistance Program for non-agricultural areas. 84 acres of farmland were added to the Wake County Voluntary Agricultural Districts. 4

5 Economic Impact of Wake District s Work Wake County Board of Commissioners Goal: Community Partnership and Economic Development Objective: Continue collaborative efforts with all economic development partners to attract new jobs, retain jobs, and provide training to individuals in transition. Resources for Wake County To assist landowners with conservation actions, the Wake District matches projects with outside funding sources including federal and state conservation programs. The North Carolina Agricultural Cost Share program funds water quality and conservation projects that require a 25% match on a set rate for area counties. Funding for Best Management Practices Wake County s cost is, on average, higher therefore the landowner s share typically exceeds 25%. Essentially all public and private lands are eligible for the programs. Eligible participants include landowners, businesses, schools, community groups and local government. Follow the ECONOMIC IMPACT of just ONE conservation practice being installed to repair and prevent erosion on one average day for example, an Engineered Grassed Waterway. Immediate impacts: The project employs a construction firm with a dozer or heavy-equipment driver, a tractor driver, and farm labor. Local wholesalers and retail suppliers receive revenues from the purchases of diesel fuel, seed, fertilizer, construction netting, and straw or excelsior. Branch Bank or Farm Credit provides capital to farm landowners to invest in the conservation project. Long-term impacts: Municipalities have a reduced cost of water treatment in drinking water supply watersheds. Downstream estuaries have healthier breeding grounds for North Carolina s profitable fishing industry. Farm is profitable due to the increase in crop yields and the reduction of costs related to fertilizers and nutrient inputs. Accomplishments 44 cost share contracts were written to address natural resource problems and improve water quality. $93,996 funds were encumbered from Federal and State sources to implement conservation practices with completed designs per USDA NRCS Engineering Technical Specifications/Guide. $07,884 funds in reimbursements were paid to Wake County landowners from federal and state funds for completed contracts on conservation practices installed. 5

6 Environmental Education, Volunteer, and Outreach Services Wake County Board of Commissioners Goal: Community Health and Vitality Objective: Work with leaders in private and public sectors to organize and implement the healthiest Capital County Initiative in order to build opportunities for healthy lifestyles and better health outcomes for all Wake County residents. Environmental Education and Outreach Educated and Engaged Citizens Wake District engages citizens of all ages in learning the science and importance of natural resources, watersheds, and community conservation through best education, management and stewardship practices. Wake District took the lead in implementing several large adult workshops and trainings in FY Trained educators can then teach many more students, maximizing Wake District's outreach. By providing volunteer projects, Wake District provide students a chance to earn community service hours and people of all ages the opportunity to practice environmental stewardship first-hand. FY203-4 volunteer involvement engaged,66 volunteers actively participating in Wake County Big Sweep. Through Wake District's experiential youth programs, Wake County students achieved top honors, receiving scholarships, cash prizes, and public recognition. 3,520 citizens were assisted with environmental information to increase landowner and homeowner understanding of erosion and nutrient loading problems. Wake County Envirothon teams participate in regional and statewide competition. High School students learn the importance of soils and topography in understanding the protection of water quality at the land judging competition. 4 Educators trained in Environmental Education to maximize potential outreach to 45,535 learners.,66 Volunteers collected 27,637 lbs. of litter for cleaner streams, lakes and wetlands through coordination of the Wake County Big Sweep Program. 3,979 hours of donated volunteer services saved Wake County $88,924. (Estimated value by Independent Sector) 6

7 Wake County s Leadership Provides Environmental Education and Farm Landowner Training 73 Youth and 394 families were engaged in environmental education lessons. 732 business professionals, consultants and community partners collaborated with staff to leverage resources for conservation efforts in Wake County. Ten fifth-grade Conservation Poster Contest winners, from across Wake County, are honored at Wake Soil and Water Conservation District s 48 th Annual Conservation Awards Celebration in December. 30 Wake County landowners attended the 9 th Annual Keeping the Farm Workshop in March 204, after being rescheduled two times due to snow and inclement weather! Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison speaks to Wake County s farm and forest landowners about farm safety at the 9 th Annual Keeping the Farm Workshop. Wake County landowners pack the Commons building to learn about important updates that impact their farm operations. The Annual Keeping the Farm Workshop is a collaboration between the Soil and Water Conservation Department, private organizations, forestry and agricultural conservation groups, federal, state, and local governmental agencies, and educational institutions. 7

8 Wake County Economic Development Plan Progress Report Soil and Water Conservation Wake County Board of Commissioners adopted the Wake Agricultural Economic Development Plan on August 5, 203. The plan outlines the economic impact of agriculture in the county as well as action steps to strengthen this economic engine. While Wake County is becoming an urban county, agriculture and agribusinesses still bring in significant dollars to the local economy. These dollars come from traditional working farms and forests as well as from local food and products from smaller farms. There is increased interest in local agriculture from engaged and educated citizens that reflects the same trend nationwide and Wake County is poised to capitalize on this. One of the first action steps in the plan calls for the integration of economic development with farm and forest protection. Agriculture is more than a farmer sitting on a tractor. It is supply chains, accountants, processing plants, labor force, transportation, consultants, consumers and other ancillary groups that support this $73 million industry in Wake County - (NCDA&CS). As with any industry in the county, Wake County agricultural businesses depend on good infrastructure and support to meet the needs of today's economy. The benefits from working farms and forests contribute to the well-being and attractiveness of Wake County. The county has a commitment to environmental stewardship. Promoting working farms and forests and the businesses that support agriculture in the county is imperative to the success of Wake County. Specific Action Steps. Integrate economic development with farmland protection.a. List support for agribusiness and farm industry with work goals.b. Work with Wake County Agribusiness Council to support supplier/vendor networks 2. Amend VAD to 40 acres. Bring current VAD in compliance with July 20 legislative rules 2.a. Discuss easement programs that connect working farms for preservation with conservation partners and land trust 3. Promote understanding and appreciation of agriculture to the non-farm public 3.a. Develop an awareness or communication package for messaging the benefits of local agribusinesses 4. Enhance business development programs to incorporate agriculture and forestry interest 4.a. Meet with 4 municipalities to discuss farmers markets, unity in communications for profitable local produce and agritourism opportunities for farmers 4.b. Educate community and provide opportunities for outreach and training through conferences and events to showcase agriculture 5. Promote opportunities of profitability for Wake County family farms and agribusinesses Priority Ranking Completion Dates 4 th Quarter FY4 Short/Long Term Support Long Status Ongoing but incomplete Implementation of Work Leaders, local economic development groups 3 rd Quarter FY3 Completed Completed Wake County BOC 4 th Quarter FY4 st Quarter FY4 2 nd Quarter FY5 Long st, 2 nd, 3 rd year Short Term st year Short st, 2 nd, 3 rd year Ongoing - Successful events Fall FY 5 Incomplete WCAC, VADB, WSWCD Wake County BOC WSWCD, TLC,CTNC, NC ADFP, USDA FRPP 4th Quarter FY6 Long Ongoing All 4th Quarter FY4 2 nd year Incomplete 3 rd Quarter FY5 Long Incomplete WCFB, Agribusiness groups, WSWCD WCFR, CE, WSWCD, Private Financial Partners 2 nd Quarter FY5 Long Incomplete VADB, local Planning Departments 4th Quarter FY5 st Quarter FY4 Short 2 nd, 3 rd year Short st year Successful Ongoing Successful Ongoing Collaboration Build on KTF Workshop network CE, WSWCD, WCAC 8

9 Additional FY4 Accomplishments Hosted a farmer s luncheon for the Local Work Group Session to gather their input on the District s work goals for the upcoming year. Ranked 5 th of 00 SWCDs in the state for NCACSP funds received for BMPs. Ranked 4 th of 78 SWCDs in the state for CCAP funds received for community conservation. Assisted Wake County landowner participation in Market Based Conservation Initiative (MBCI) with U.S. Marines CORPS and NCFSWC. Passed the USDA Civil Rights / EEO compliance review from the Washington DC Team. Received $25,500 in Technical Assistance allocation for Wake County to work on NCACSP. All of the accomplishments cannot be listed. Here is an example of one of the untold projects in Wake District. Crabtree Creek Watershed Structure #3 (Bond Lake) For over 0 years the Bond Park Trail was documented as experiencing severe erosion. This was due to pedestrian foot traffic cutting down the back slope of the dam. The erosion on the trail was detrimental to the stability of the embankment. The vegetative cover was no longer present and without cover the erosion presented a serious threat to the dam/embankment and citizens downstream. (Figure ) Wake County General Services Field Services Division is responsible for the upkeep of the embankment but the heavy use of the trail created an ongoing battle to maintain the vegetative armor. Figure : Eroded trail on Bond Lake dam/embankment. Spring 2007 The Town of Cary Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources is responsible for the programs activities, and amenities at Bond Lake. Through the annual inspection process of the Flood Control Structures, Wake County and USDA-NRCS (SWCD) provided information, education, and guidance to the Town of Cary regarding the importance of maintaining adequate protective cover on the structure. The Town of Cary secured funds to develop a proposal to rehabilitate the Bond Lake Trail. They submitted a proposal, with construction drawings, to Wake County and USDA-NRCS. Approval of the rehabilitation plan was granted to the town from both entities. They proceeded with bid process and awarded the contract to relocate the Bond Lake Trail on July Construction was completed by early September 204. (Figure 2) Figure 2: Relocated and reconstructed Bond Lake Trail. Summer 204 9

10 For more information about this report please contact: Wake County Soil and Water Conservation Department via phone at or the Director at Visit our website at 0