Ottawa Conservation District Annual Report

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2 Staff Megan Boos, Executive Director Benjamin Jordan, Conservation Technician Drew Rayner, WMCISMA Coordinator Jessica Crawford, Program Coordinator Daria Gosztyla, HWA Project Coordinator Emma Fojtik, HWA Project Crew Member Sara Bronkema, MAEAP Technician Board of Directors Matthew Hehl, Chairman Lester Langeland, Vice Chairman Douglas Grotenrath, Treasurer/Secretary David Pyle, Director Todd Bowen, Director Ottawa Conservation District Ferris Street Grand Haven, MI (616) Ext. 5 ottawacd@macd.org NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service USDA Ottawa Conservation District works in partnership with NRCS, having a co-located office in Grand Haven. Through financial and technical assistance, NRCS provides resources for farmers and landowners to aid them with conservation. NRCS District Staff Heather Varboncoeur, District Conservationist Corin Mahlzan, NRCS Civil Engineer Di Shun Melbert, Soil Conservationist Katie Droscha, Conservation Technician USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender. Who We Are The Ottawa Conservation District was founded in 1938 by several landowners concerned with soil degradation that resulted from years of negligent land management. Formerly the West Ottawa Soil Conservation District, this was the first Conservation District of its kind formally established by Michigan law. Upon formation, the District set forth goals to remediate soil erosion. These goals aimed to stabilize sand dunes through reforestation, convert poorly suited agriculture land to restored forests, and aid farmers in maintaining land at a productive level. Today, the Ottawa Conservation District continues to meet foundational agriculture and forestry goals while also expanding services related to other forms of natural resources conservation. The District provides information, assistance, and programs to serve the local community on land and water management. This support is made possible through financial backing from the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners, and grants from the Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Environmental Quality, and Natural Resources as well as from the United States Forest Service and Environmental Protection Agency. Programs and Services Bass River Deer Creek Restoration Project Critical Dunes information and education Vegetation Removal Assurance Forestry Assistance Program Native tree and plant sales Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program West Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Invasive Species Strike Team Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Project

3 Historic Photos Ottawa Conservation District educational display July Erosion in Park Township 1940s Jarvis Gage spreading sweet clover July 1945 Sand blow area post pine planting alongside US-31 July Flower nursery in Zeeland Township 1940s

4 Ottawa Conservation District Bass River Deer Creek Restoration Project (BRDC) This project is dedicated to reducing non-point source pollution in the Bass River and Deer Creek watersheds. BRDC focuses on addressing sediment, excess nutrients, and E. coli bacteria that has been linked to failed residential septic systems and agricultural runoff. Grant funds are available to landowners within these watersheds to offer Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce these pollutants. Some of these BMPs include cropping practices, manure management, and repair or replacement of septic systems. In October, the Ottawa Conservation District staff submitted a $1.1 million grant proposal for additional funds to continue this project beyond Repaired or replaced 18 residential septic systems Approximately $100,000 of cost-share funds granted to residential property owners Over $63,000 of cost-share funds granted to agricultural producers for BMPs More than 1,000 Ottawa County residents informed through outreach at community events, mailers, farm visits, and educational presentations Residential septic system replacement in Bass Creek watershed. BRDC is funded by the 319 grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.

5 Critical Dunes Information and Education Ottawa Conservation District is a local resource for information about Michigan s Critical Dunes. General information about Critical Dunes is available by contacting the District office. Staff is also able to provide informative programs about Critical Dunes for schools and organizations. Program content and length can be tailored to the interests and age of the audience. Michigan Coastal Dunes public program at Ottawa County Parks Critical Dune education with Allendale Middle School Who Lives on a Sand Dune children's program at Allendale Library Additionally, we offer services to complete the Vegetation Removal Assurance (VRA) aspect of the permit required for landowners that build within Critical Dune areas. VRA provides recommendations to minimize vegetation removal and restoration options. Completed 3 VRAs Dune education at Allendale Library. Critical Dunes Information and Education is funded by the District.

6 Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) MAEAP aims to help farmers voluntarily reduce or prevent agricultural pollution in a costeffective manner while also ensuring farmers comply with state and federal regulations. MAEAP staff attended the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts Conference this fall where Mike Ludlam, MAEAP Water Stewardship Technician for Allegan County, was awarded the Technical Assistance Award. Mike has assisted the Ottawa Conservation District as we transitioned towards hiring a new MAEAP Tech. As of November, we have welcomed Sara Bronkema on our team and look forward to working with her to provide quality MAEAP service to Ottawa County farmers. Roughly 22 Ottawa County farms have been MAEAP verified over the course of 2017 A MAEAP Phase 1 event was hosted at Hoffmaster State Park that focused on education regarding the new Forestry, Wetland, and Habitat verification 4 farmers attended MAEAP informational booth. MAEAP is funded by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

7 Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) NRCS assists farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners to ensure the sustainability of agricultural production and the protection of natural resources. Farmers and landowners in Ottawa County have played a significant role in improving water quality and habitat for wildlife and pollinators by implementing conservation practices in Some of these practices include integrated pest management, agrichemical handling facility installment, and conservation cover plantings. The Grand Haven field office has worked with landowners on employing backyard conservation to a variety of operations from fruit orchards to dairy farms. Granted over $130,000 to farmers for resource management initiatives Conservation improvements have been made on more than 900 acres of private land Newly installed agrichemical handling facility. NRCS is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture.

8 Ottawa Conservation District West Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (WMCISMA): Invasive Species Strike Team WMCISMA Invasive Species Strike Team is a five-person crew that operates out of the Ottawa Conservation District office from May through October. This team serves the West Michigan community by providing information, identification, and eradication efforts for high-threat invasive species. Services are offered for mostly Watch List, Prohibited, or Restricted species designated by the State of Michigan. The goal of this work is to prioritize early detection and rapid response of invaders to prevent widespread establishment. Surveyed 116 new infestations Treated 322 different sites; 80% of these sites being retreatments from last season Treated 50 sites in partnership with Ottawa/Allegan County Road Commission Treated 15 acres of Japanese knotweed, phragmites, and Chinese yam at an excavation site in Allegan County Removed over 3,400 lbs of garlic mustard in Newaygo and Oceana Counties Pulled 1,550 lbs of yellow floating heart and European frog-bit in Kent County Invasive Species Strike Team removing garlic mustard. WMCISMA Strike Team is funded by grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and United States Forest Service.

9 West Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (WMCISMA): Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) Project The WMCISMA s invasive species control programs have continued to grow and expand, with recent focus emphasized on the spread of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). HWA is a devastating invasive species now established in Michigan that has damaged forests along the east coast over the past decade. The HWA Project is working to launch efforts to control and eradicate HWA in four counties: Ottawa, Oceana, Muskegon, and Allegan. Since October, HWA staff have worked to collect hundreds of new data points, respond to landowner inquires, and involve local students in hemlock identification and survey efforts. The plan for 2018 is to expand HWA survey and treatment initiatives throughout the four lakeshore counties, utilizing both hired consultants and trained volunteer surveyors. To learn more, visit: HWA can be identified by the white, woolly masses attached at the base of a hemlock s needles. WMCISMA HWA Project is funded by an Ottawa County grant and is a sub-recipient of Environmental Protection Agency funds awarded to the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission.

10 Forestry Assistance Program (FAP) FAP focuses on providing education and technical assistance to private landowners regarding forest management. The purpose of this program is to aid Conservation Districts in their efforts to help Michigan residents to better understand, protect, and utilize forest resources. Our District Forester, Benjamin Savoie, works throughout Allegan, Barry, and Ottawa Counties. Visited nearly 130 sites Made almost 100 referrals Enrolled more than 500 acres of private land in the Qualified Forest Program Hosted 14 outreach events regarding sustainable forestry management, pest alerts, and publicly available forestry programs and incentives The services provided through this program were estimated to have a positive economic impact on the forestry industry, being valued as much as $57,407 Students from Hastings FFA and 4-H who were awarded the Keep Michigan Beautiful Award for FAP is funded by grants from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

11 December 2017 Ottawa Conservation District has had a prosperous year of growth and enlightenment. As our programs have expanded, our office has been delighted with welcoming new staff members. Each person contributes a unique set of skills and values that makes the Ottawa Conservation District a treasured resource for the public. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Ottawa County Commission, which provides an annual allocation to support the District s administrative functions. This funding assures the District can continue to operate current programs and seek additional opportunities to address Ottawa County landowners natural resource priorities. Thank you for your unwavering support of the Ottawa Conservation District. Sincerely, Megan Boos Executive Director Appropriations and Budget Revenue (by source type) Budget State Funds $319, Federal Funds $342, Contributions from Local Units $53, Charges for Services $123, Interest and Rentals $ Tree Sales $16, Total Revenue $853, Expenditures (by activity) 281 Operations $75, Reforestation $7, MAEAP Grant $57, Vegetation Management $1, Bass/Deer 319 Grant $280, Critical Dune Education $5, Forestry- Critical Dune $ Invasive Species Grant $215, HWA GLRI $100, CWMA 4 $27, Pollinator Gardens $1, CWMA 1 $4, Total Expenditures $773, Budget Balance $79, Beginning Fund Balance $108, Ending Fund Balance $188,415.22

12 16731 Ferris Street Grand Haven, MI (616) Ext. 5 ottawacd@macd.org Ottawa Conservation District is co-located with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service. USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender.