Steuben County, IN Soil & Water Conservation District Annual Report

Transcription

1 Steuben County, IN Soil & Water Conservation District 2011 Annual Report Working together for a better future Everyone helps make a Healthy Watershed!!! Volume 35 Issue 1 Winter 2012 Our Mission: To be the lead facilitator who ensures that the natural resources of Steuben County are used wisely and are there for future generations. Join us March 14, 2012 for our 62nd Annual Meeting at the Zollner Clubhouse on the Campus of Trine University see inside for more details

2 Page ANNUAL REPORT Make Conservation Work for You in 2012 As you will see throughout this report, 2011 was an exciting year for our SWCD. Though slightly slower than average due to tighter budgets, we were still able to bring in $124,000 in conservation funds for you, the residents of Steuben County, including a National Award Grant from the National Conservation Foundation. With those funds we were able to implement a total of 565 acres of conservation practices creating 215 acres of wildlife habitat, and saving a calculated 970 tons soil from entering the beautiful lakes of Steuben County that we all enjoy. ment around you. Our actions and programs are designed to assist you in improving the things you do in the environment to ensure they are there in the future, from fixing washouts and gullies in your farm field, to improving your hunting and wildlife habitat, to your enjoyment of the wonderful waters in this county, we can provide assistance. Though we may not know all of the answers, we are eager and glad to help you find them. Enjoy looking through our report and our accomplishments in Even though the New Year has just begun, we already have several new ways to make conservation work for you in Remember, you are the reason we as a Soil & Water Conservation District have been in existence Whether you are an angler, farmer, forester, hunter, or regular citizen, the SWCD, along with our many partners, can help enhance the environfor 62 years and have been able to make great accomplishments in conservation, but in this rapidly advancing world there is always something new to learn or old to recycle. Our History The Steuben County Soil and Water Conservation District was formed December 15, 1948 by a referendum of the citizens of Steuben County. As a legal subdivision of Indiana State Government, the SWCD is responsible for providing leadership and assistance for the proper management of the soil, water, and related natural resources within Steuben County. The SWCD is governed by a Board of five local Supervisors, three elected by Steuben County landowners and operators, and two appointed by the Indiana State Soil Conservation Board based on a recommendation from current Supervisors. Assistant Supervisors are appointed annually, by the SWCD Board, to assist in activities and programs sponsored by the SWCD. Both Board and Assistant Supervisors serve the Steuben community on a volunteer basis. Board of Supervisors Assistant Supervisors Thomas J. Green Gregory S. Hughes Sharon M. Gerig Jeffrey S. Klink Chairman Vice-Chairman Secretary Thane H. Knox Wayne Crowl Timothy C. Groosbeck Technical specialists from the USDA- Natural Resources Conservation Service work directly with the SWCD providing technical assistance on a daily basis. Michael S. Holman USDA-Natural Resources SWCD Office Staff Conservation Service Kayleen D. Hart Brian D. Musser Administrative Coordinator/Treasurer Resource Conservationist Richard A. Neff District Conservationist Conservation Implementation Team (Albion, IN)

3 Volume 35 Issue 1 Page 2 Inside this Report: About Us 1 Financial Report 3-4 Educational Activities 5 Partnerships 6 Conservation Land Treatment 7 Watershed Activities & Accomplishments 8-10 USDA/Other Organization Activities & Accomplishments Looking Ahead in nd Annual Meeting Please join us Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at the Zollner Clubhouse, on the campus of Trine University, in Angola, where we will hold our 62nd Annual Meeting. A hog roast dinner, starting at 6:00 p.m., will be available for $5.00 per person. Reservations should be made by Tuesday, March 7th, by visiting our office, phone ext. 3, or our website ( The Annual Meeting will begin at 6:30 pm and is open to the public free of admission. The agenda for the meeting includes a report on the activities, accomplishments, and finances for 2011, along with the recognition of volunteers who have assisted with SWCD programs. Supervisor Election Indiana Law cites that Supervisor elections must occur during District Annual Meetings. An election will be held during the March 14th Annual Meeting for one (1) full three-year term position. Two candidates have been nominated for election this year, Craig Holman and Sean Carroll. Nominations will be accepted from the floor as well. To hold the position of elected Supervisor, an individual: (1) must be of voting age; (2) must be an occupier of a tract of land that is located within the district; and (3) must maintain the individual s permanent residence within the district; and (4) must be qualified by training and experience to perform the duties that this imposes on supervisors. (IC ) Lost Landscapes of Lakes Country and Their Recovery The main presentation for the evening, entitled Lost Landscapes of Lakes Country and Their Recovery, will be presented by Nate Simons, Founder and Executive Director of Blue Heron Ministries. A native of Angola, Nate graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture and Bachelor of Science, along with a minor in Natural Resources, before establishing Blue Heron Ministries. Eleven years old, Blue Heron Ministries is a non-profit Christian conservation organization that has become an opportunity for folks to steward the Lord s creation within the context of community. Nate s presentation will discuss historic Lakes Country landscapes as it was formed through glacial geology, the ecosystem components, and human involvement on the land.

4 Page ANNUAL REPORT 2011 Financial Report: Receipts State Clean Water Indiana (CWI) Matching Grant for District Operation $10, All other CWI Grant Funds $7, County for District Operations* $15, Federal Funds Indiana of Departmental Management Section 319 Grant $13, State Funds Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) Watershed Land Treatment Grants $45, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Maumee River Outreach Grant (Final payment) $1, National Conservation Foundation Award $10, Donations $ Annual Meeting Income $ Reimbursements/Refunds $2, Sales Income: Rain Barrels and Flags $5, Educational Material Sponsorship $ Interest on Savings Account $19.75 Total Income $111, Balance brought forward from 2010 $13, TOTAL RECEIPTS $125, Disbursements Annual Meeting Expense $ Audit Expense $ Capital Outlays $37.00 Clean Water Indiana Projects $5, Conservation Education Programs $1, Contractual Services $ Cost-Share Projects Federally funded $10, Cost-Share Projects LARE funded $47, Dues and Subscriptions $3, Office Supplies $ Other Services and Charges $ Postage $1, Printing/Copying Expense $4, Rent $64.00 Repair Expenses/Vehicle Maintenance $1, Sales Tax Paid to the Indiana Department of Revenue $ Supplies for Resale Rain Barrel Expenses $10, Telephone or other utilities $ Travel/Lodging/Mileage/Registration/Meals $5, Workshop/Field Day Expense $ Gas for District Jeep $1, Computer Expenses $ Flags $ Insurance $ Transfer to Savings Account/Interest on Savings account $12, TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS $115, Balance in Checking at December 31, 2011 $10, Petty Cash $11.87 TOTAL CASH AVAILABLE $10, Investments Savings Account (Interest 2011 $19.75) $41, * In addition to the grant for District Operations, the County directly paid the salary of the two District staff members.

5 Volume 35 Issue 1 Page 4 Affiliate Members: The SWCD Board gratefully acknowledges its Affiliate Members for Donations received from these annual memberships supplement SWCD Educational programs and Annual Meeting. If you or your business would like to become an Affiliate Member, please contact our office. Affiliate Membership funds support our annual Youth Conservation Field Day for area Fourth Graders! CM Holman Farms Angola, IN Tom Green Engineering Angola, IN North Central Co-op Angola/Fremont, IN Kevin Northup Excavating LaGrange, IN Noll Bros Oil, Inc. Hudson, IN City of Angola Trine University MS4 Angola, IN 2011 Funding Sources for Cost-Share Programs:.Clean Water Indiana (CWI) **Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Grant **On-Farm Network Grant Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)- Division of Fish & Wildlife **Lake and River Enhancement Program Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) **Section 319 Non-Point Source Pollution Program USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service & Farm Service Agency **USDA 2008 Farm Bill Programs In 2011 we brought in $124,000 in grant funds! Customer Service Tally-Sheets Developed in 2008 to monitor our Customer Service, we have kept a running Tally-Sheet on the number of Customers we have served. Whether the Customer is a walk-in or calls for assistance, we are always happy to resolve their questions. The tally sheet continues to be an evolving piece of information that provides us a breakdown of how our time is spent. The sheet is divided by the different projects we are working on with various organizations. Below is a general summary of how we track our customer service SWCD Tally Sheet Results: Walk-ins: 798 Field Visits, Appointments, & Meetings 458 Telephone calls s 1846

6 Page ANNUAL REPORT Educational Activities The major function of the SWCD is to analyze the Resource Concerns of the County and develop a Business Plan aimed at resolving the problems affecting soil and water conservation in these critical areas. Through the SWCD, these problems are resolved largely by land users themselves, with technical assistance from various organizations and government agencies. The SWCD is committed to keeping the public aware of the most current conservation issues by providing adult and youth education promoting stewardship of our natural resources. We thank the landowners, businesses, agencies, and organizations for their assistance and support in promoting our educational programs. Held 61st Annual Meeting on March 1, 2011 highlighting the SWCD s 2010 accomplishments, which included the completion of an IDEM 319 funded stream bank stabilization project, and winning the $10,000 National Conservation Foundation Award Grant at the National Association of Conservation Districts to implement rain barrels across Steuben County. The main presentation, The Effects of Steuben County on the Great Lakes, was presented by Rod Renkenberger, Coordinator for the Maumee River Basin Commission, and Matt Meersman, President of the Friends of the St. Joseph River, who discussed how each of their organizations assists the SWCD in minimizing Steuben County s pollution effects on the Great Lakes. Maintained the SWCD Website ( published quarterly newsletters, distributed the 2010 Annual Report, promoted the SWCD through local media, and gave presentations to various groups and organizations. Promoted national Soil and Water Stewardship Week Co-sponsored the annual 4th Grade Youth Conservation Field Day for MSD of Steuben County and Fremont Community Schools with Purdue Cooperative Extension. Provided educational material to local elementary schools within the County. Promoted IDNR-Division of Forestry annual tree program and tree pick-up. Sponsored Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Soil & Water Conservation trophies for the Steuben County 4-H Fair. Served as 4-H Soil & Water Conservation Project Superintendent. Assisted Pheasants Forever of Northeast Indiana in distributing wildlife food plot seed to Steuben County landowners. Assisted the St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative in the planning and promotion of the annual Tri-State Conservation Farming Expo held in Montpelier, OH. Provided Hoosier Riverwatch water monitoring kits for local lakes and individuals trained through the Hoosier Riverwatch program. Coordinated the use of Dissolved Oxygen Meter with Indiana University as part of the Indiana Clean Lakes Program. Co-sponsored Environmental Project Awards at the Trine Regional Science Fair. Elementary Award Winner: Maddison Oberlin, from Ryan Park Elementary School in Angola, IN. Junior Award Winner: Mason Diffenderfer, from St. Mary Elementary School in Avilla, IN. Senior Award Winner: Chris Green, from DeKalb High School. Special Thanks to our Educational Supporters Steuben County Lakes Council for sponsoring: **Activity booklets and commemorative bookmarks for local first and second grade students within the County promoting annual Stewardship Week Observance. **Educational Booklet, Water in Your Hands, for local fourth grade students within the County as part of our Youth Education Program. City of Angola/Trine University MS4 for sponsoring: **Storm Water Activity Booklets for fourth grade students within the County as part of our Youth Education Program. Northeast Indiana Solid Waste District for donating: Grand Champion Hannah Barenfanger (right), and Reserve Grand Champion Amber Hart **Pencils for local fourth grade students within the County as part of our Youth Education Program.

7 Volume 35 Issue 1 Page 6 Some of Our Partners: The SWCD Board and office staff gratefully acknowledges and thanks the numerous agencies, organizations, and private citizens who support the SWCD programs and activities during Our many partners include: Steuben County Government Indiana Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD) Steuben County/Purdue Cooperative Extension Service (CES) City of Angola/ Trine University MS4

8 Page ANNUAL REPORT Conservation Land Treatment Funds from various grant sources and 2008 Farm Bill programs were used to install conservation practices in efforts to reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients entering drainage ways, lakes and wetlands. These funds provide direct benefit for landowners as technical, educational, and financial assistance throughout a major portion of Steuben County Total Amount Spent on Conservation Land Treatment: $119,738 Amount from Grants/Programs $98,649 (Approximately 82%) Amount by Project Participants $21,089 (Approximately 18%) Cumulative Total Spent on Conservation Land Treatment since the District s first Watershed Grant: $ 4.59 Million!! Amount from Grants/Programs $3,259,328 (Approximately 71%) Amount by Project Participants $1,394,931 (Approximately 29%) Summary of Agricultural Conservation Practices Installed During 2011 Tree Plantings & Windbreaks Livestock Exclusion Fencing acres 12,740 feet Hayland & Pasture Plantings Management Spraying (Tree Plantings) Cover Crops 2-Stage Ditch Warm Season Grass Plantings Livestock Watering Facilities 2 Wetlands Pest Management Early Successional Management Conservations Plans were completed on 980 acres 53 acres 44.7 acres 263 acres 3710 feet 39.4 acres 3.7 acres 20.3 acres 24.3 acres A calculated 970 tons of soil was prevented from eroding due to the implementation of these practices. A summary of Urban Conservation Practices installed during 2011 is given under the Urban Conservation section on page13.

9 Volume 35 Issue 1 Page 8 Activities & Accomplishments: Lake and River Enhancement (LARE): Watershed Land Treatment Project Pigeon Creek Watershed Funding: IDNR-Division of Fish & Wildlife, Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) Program. Additional $25,000 award in 2011, total cumulative $215, to Project Goal: Implementation of land treatment practices in efforts to reduce sediment and nutrients from entering water bodies in Pigeon Creek Watershed. Project Administration: Steuben County Soil & Water Conservation District Cost-Share Practices: Conservation tillage; cover crops; critical area seeding; diversions; fencing; filter strips; grade stabilization structures; grassed waterways; livestock watering facilities; pest & nutrient management; pasture and hay seeding; sediment control basins; stream bank protection; terraces; tree plantings; and waste management systems. Pigeon Creek Watershed Management Plan Phase II Implementation Practice Hayland Plantings Tree Plantings Maintenance Spraying (Tree Planting) Exclusion Fencing Cover Crops Map 1 LARE 19 acres 10 acres 22 acres 3,000 feet 79 acres Funding: IDEM Clean Water Act Section 319, Non-Point Source Pollution Management Program / / $243,000 ($145,800 from IDEM / $97,200 in-kind and cash match). Project Goal: Provide demonstrations of a variety of best management practices and educational projects in order to raise awareness of conservation throughout the Pigeon Creek Watershed. Project Administration: Steuben County Soil & Water Conservation District Each partner is responsible for their individual grant section. Background: IDEM 319 Phase I Implementation grant was completed in the fall of 2008, the Pigeon Creek Watershed Management Plan was reviewed with new items incorporated into Phase II Implementation application. Several partners joined with the SWCD in support of the Phase II grant, with a vision to demonstrate how agencies, organizations, and the community can work together to share the same goal A HEALTHY PIGEON CREEK WATERSHED. Grant Partners: **City of Angola/Trine University MS4 Urban BMPs; **Steuben County Health Department Septic System Education; **Steuben County Lakes Council Water Monitoring; **Steuben County SWCD Agriculture BMPs 2011 Phase Two Activities: **Agricultural Best Management Practices (Ag BMPs): We were able to install 4,295 feet of rotational grazing and exclusion fence in a critical area of the watershed. **Urban BMPs: 40 rain barrels installed and Pervious Concrete/Bio-Swale Project completed. For more information on these projects, please see the Urban Conservation Section of our report on page 13. **Health Department/Water Quality Education Coordinator: Presented programs on septic system maintenance to various groups in the watershed, and worked with the Health Department, SWCD, and MS4 to develop placemats and septic brochure for distribution around the county. **Steuben County Lakes Council: 14 sites were funded in the Lakes Council s 2011 Water Quality Monitoring Program. The SWCD also served on the Lakes Council s Water Quality Committee.

10 Page ANNUAL REPORT Turkey Creek Watershed Activities & Accomplishments: Lake and River Enhancement (LARE): Watershed Land Treatment Project Funding: IDNR-Division of Fish & Wildlife, Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) Program. Additional $20,000 award in 2011, total cumulative $366, to Project Goal: Implementation of land treatment practices in efforts to reduce sediment and nutrients from entering water bodies in Turkey Creek Watershed. Project Administration: Steuben County Soil & Water Conservation District Cost-Share Practices: Conservation tillage; cover crops; critical area seeding; diversions; fencing; filter strips; grade stabilization structures; grassed waterways; livestock watering facilities; pest & nutrient management; pasture and hay seeding; sediment control basins; stream bank protection; terraces; tree plantings; and waste management systems. Practice Hayland Plantings Tree Plantings Maintenance Spraying (Tree Planting) Exclusion Fencing Map 2 LARE 34 acres 17.9 acres 6.7 acres 2,145 feet Fish Creek Watershed Activities & Accomplishments: Lake and River Enhancement (LARE): Ball Lake Sub-Watershed Land Treatment Project Map 3 Practice LARE Exclusion Fencing 3,790 feet Livestock Watering Facility 1 Two-Stage Ditch 1,500 feet Funding: IDNR-Division of Fish & Wildlife, Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) Program. Additional $20,000 award in 2011, total cumulative $200, to Project Goal: Implementation of land treatment practices in efforts to reduce sediment and nutrients from entering Ball Lake. Project Administration: Steuben and DeKalb County Soil & Water Conservation Districts Cost-Share Practices: Conservation tillage; cover crops; critical area seeding; diversions; fencing; filter strips; grade stabilization structures; grassed waterways; livestock watering facilities; pest & nutrient management; pasture and hay seeding; sediment control basins; stream bank protection; terraces; tree plantings; and waste management systems.

11 Volume 35 Issue 1 Page 10 On-Farm Network Activities & Accomplishments: Clean Water Indiana (CWI): Location: Western Lake Erie Basin Fish Creek & West Branch of St. Joseph River Watersheds. Funding: Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Clean Water Indiana (CWI). Project Goal: Implement Nitrogen management through the On-Farm Network in efforts to reduce the amount of nutrients entering water bodies in the Western Lake Erie Basin. Project Administration: Multi-County SWCDs (Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Noble, Steuben, Wells) Coordinated by Allen County. Cost-Share: Nitrogen management tests on Corn Fields; Guided Stalk Test and Nitrogen Strip-trial. Guided Stalk Test collects a total of 40 corn stalk samples from 4 determined points in a standard fertilized field to evaluated the amount of nitrogen uptake by the corn plant. These samples help determine the economic optimum rate of nitrogen to apply in that field Nitrogen Strip-trail collects a total of 120 corn stalk samples from 12 test strips that vary in the amount of applied nitrogen. These samples help determine the economic optimum rate of nitrogen to apply in that field. Map 4 RISE Up to Reduce Your Stormwater: Communities Building Rain Barrels Location: County-wide Funding: National Conservation Foundation Award Grant from the National Association of Conservation Districts / $10,000 Project Goal: Expand the SWCD s urban conservation efforts by implementing 200 rain barrels across Steuben County. Project Administration: Steuben County Soil & Water Conservation District Background: The high interest generated from the IDEM 319 Phase II grant, in which 40 rain barrels were installed in a critical area of Angola, led us to seek funding to expand the rain barrel program County-wide. In January of 2011, we were selected as one of three finalists for chance to be awarded the National Conservation Foundation Award Grant (NCF) from the National Association of Conservation Districts. In February, we were voted the winner of the NCF Award Grant by our fellow Conservation peers, winning by only 16 votes. We were able to use the award grant to distribute 240 rain barrels, assembled by the Rehabilitation & Industrial Services Enterprises, Incorporated (RISE), across the County. Scan the QR code to the right with your smart device to watch our RISE Up Wrap Up Video, or find the on our website ( where you can find out more about our RISE Up to Reduce Your Stormwater rain barrel program. Scan with your smart device to watch our RISE Up Wrap Up Video!

12 Page ANNUAL REPORT Conservation Programs under the 2008 Farm Bill Activities & Accomplishments: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Program Goal: Provide technical, educational, and financial assistance for agricultural improvements to help meet water quality goals. Cost-Share Practices: Structural practices including: grassed waterways, rock chutes, pipe structures, and water & sediment control basins (WASCOBs); cultural practices including: filter strips, critical area plantings, conservation tillage, tree planting, integrated crop management, and animal waste facilities & maintenance. In 2011, an 850 foot two-stage ditch project was completed through the EQIP program. Agricultural Water Enhancement Program (AWEP) AWEP is a voluntary conservation initiative that provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers to implement agricultural water enhancement activities on agricultural land to conserve surface and ground water and improve water quality. As part of EQIP, AWEP operates through program contracts with producers to plan and implement conservation practices in project areas established through partnership agreements. In 2011, 34 acres of cover crop were planted through AWEP. Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) Program Goal: Help landowners improve wildlife on private lands, including habitat development for upland wildlife, wetland wildlife, endangered species, fisheries, and other wildlife. Accomplishments in 2011 included: Practice Warm Season Grasses Pest Management Early Successional Management Maintenance Tree Spraying Amount 39.4 acres 20.3 acres 24.3 acres 16 acres Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) Conservation Security Program (CSP) Program Goal: Reward producers for ongoing conservation stewardship on agriculture land. (All best management practices such as grassed waterways, structures, filter strips, nutrient & pest management, and conservation tillage must be established and maintained at a high level.) Program Goal: to restore and protect wetlands on private property, thus providing significant wetland and wildlife habitat benefits. WRP Special Project Area: Fish Creek Watershed in Steuben County is part of a designed WRP Special Project Area. Landowners can increase the acres offered into the program. For every one acre of wetland created, landowners can match up to 10 acres of upland habitat. Accomplishments in 2011 include 3.7 acres of installed wetland habitat and 55 acres of trees.

13 Volume 35 Issue 1 Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Program Goal: to retire highly erodible and environmentally sensitive land by planting grasses, tress, or conservation cover. Program Funding: USDA, administered through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Program Activity: NRCS prepared contracts and Conservation Plans for 55 participants in the CRP program in There was a general sign-up in 2011 five people signed up for this program. As of January 2012, approximately 7.8 percent of the cropland in the county is enrolled in CRP. Practice Amount Page 12 Tree Plantings/Windbreaks 29.1 acres (Planned for 2012) Warm Season Grasses 13.6 acres (Planned for 2012) Total acreage re-enrolled in CRP in acres Accomplishments in 2011 include planting 50.2 acres of tree plantings and obtaining a 650 acre easement in which restoration work to restore habitat is set for Additional Programs and Assistance Location: Maumee, Sandusky, and Raisin Watersheds; Fish Creek and West Branch of the St. Joseph River in Steuben County. Project Goal: To prevent sedimentation and increase water quality in Lake Erie. Project Administration: The Nature Conservancy works in the Fish Creek Watershed in Steuben County as part of its larger conservation efforts in the over 6 million acre Western Lake Erie Basin Watershed that includes portions of eight counties in Michigan; 24 counties in Ohio; and six counties in Indiana. The Nature Conservancy has worked in the Fish Creek Watershed for the past 20 years working with landowners to protect over 14,600 acres of land and has now expanded to encompass the entire Maumee River Watershed as well as Sandusky and Raisin River Watersheds. Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP) Target Area: All Indiana counties in the St. Joseph River Watershed (Lake Erie) including West Branch of the St. Joe River and Fish Creek in Steuben County. Program Goal: To focus on protecting or restoring forested habitat for the federallylisted Indiana Bat and Copperbelly Watersnake in the St. Joseph River Watershed (Lake Erie). Conservation Practices: Landowners can sell a conservation easement or enter into a cost-share agreement for Tree/Shrub Establishment and Upland Wildlife Management. Western Lake Erie Basin Project The Nature Conservancy Current Projects: **Reforestation a continuing practice Map 5 aimed at reforesting areas adjacent to Fish Creek. (To date 1562 acres have been reforested.) **Wetlands Reserve Program (special program change exclusive to Fish Creek) Wetland habitat restoration activity that will pay a per acre payment to landowners who voluntarily enroll their land in a land preservation agreement and 100 percent cost-share for wetland establishment and upland restoration (native tress, etc.) For every one acre of wetland that is created, a landowner can match up to ten acres of upland habitat. **Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP) is also available for landowners to enroll highly quality forest land into a land preservation agreement to protect sensitive native species in the St. Joseph River Watershed. The local Conservation partnership staff can assist landowners with any restoration activity that they would like to perform on their land. Please contact them at (260)

14 Page ANNUAL REPORT Additional Programs and Assistance Pheasant Habitat Development Program Target Area: An area of Steuben County located South of U.S. Hwy 20 and East of State Road 827. Program Goal: To increase acres of pheasant habitat in order to increase the Indiana pheasant population. Participating Agencies/Organizations: Pheasants Forever and the IDNR-Division of Fish & Wildlife. Cost-Share Practices: Establishment of warm and cool season grasses (excluding tall fescue), fescue eradication, grain food plots, shrub plantings, lightly disking strips through mature stands of grass, legume inter-seeding, chemical application, and controlled burning. Sign-up incentives are also available for practices installed in conjunction with new or existing CRP contracts. Northeastern Indiana Wetland/Grassland Restoration Program Program Goal: to provide technical and financial assistance to help restore wetlands and native grasslands on private lands throughout the county. Participating Agencies/Organizations: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; IDNR-Division of Fish & Wildlife; and Ducks Unlimited, Inc. Assistance from other agencies/organizations include: Pheasants Forever, Inc.; USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; and participation Indiana Soil & Water Conservation Districts. Cost-Share Practices: Wetland restoration; native grassland restorations in association with existing or restored wetlands. City of Angola/Trine University Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Pervious Concrete/ Bio-Swale project under construction at the Angola Wastewater Treatment Plant. Program: The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) requires certain municipalities, based mainly on population density, to establish a storm water quality management plan and implement best management practices to protect downstream waters. The two affected entities in Steuben County are the City of Angola and Trine University, who have partnered together to meet regulations. The SWCD has worked closely with the City of Angola and the MS4 to carry out an effective education and outreach effort. Urban Best Management Practices Installed in 2011 include: Through the IDEM 319 Phase Two Implementation Grant, the SWCD helped the City of Angola and MS4 fund the installation of 40 rain barrels in a critical area of the City of Angola in an effort to reduce storm water and pollutant runoff. Two of these barrels were installed at the Angola Wastewater Treatment Plant and one will be used as an educational site in Commons Park in Angola. The average lot size that these barrels were installed on was 16,365 sq. ft. or (.38/acre), of which, 26 percent (4,129 sq. ft.) of this area is impervious. Calculations estimate that these 40 barrels are able to capture 7 percent or 8,930 sq. ft. of the total lot impervious area. This grant also helped fund a Pervious Concrete/Bio-Swale Project at the Angola Wastewater Treatment Plant, which will also help reduce storm water and pollutant runoff. Near the end of 2011, a 5,000 sq. ft. parking lot was completed with a 324 sq. ft. section of pervious concrete installed with a required stormwater storage volume of 625 cubic feet. In addition, a 4,100 sq. ft. Bio-Swale (Bio-Retention Area) was installed with a total storage volume of 8,310 cubic feet. District Activities in 2011: Served as a member of the MS4 Storm Water Advisory Group to help plan and implement education and public outreach on storm water management and erosion control. Developed displays on storm water management and displayed them at various community events Distributed Storm Water Activity Books, funded by the MS4, to the County s fourth grade students as part of the District s annual Youth Conservation Field Day.

15 Volume 35 Issue 1 Page 14 Urban Development/Erosion & Sediment Control: IDEM Rule 5 Program: The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) requires erosion and sediment control measures to be utilized on all land disturbing activities over one acre. The SWCD is responsible for accepting Rule 5 Erosion and Sediment Control Plans for Steuben County, excluding the City of Angola/Trine University MS4 boundary, which is regulated by them, and providing IDEM with information for review. SWCD Activities in 2011: **Received eight Erosion and Sediment Control Plans on developing sites and submitted them for review by IDEM. **Provided conservation technical assistance on proposed projects. Projects such as the Fish Creek Trail Stream Bank Restoration Project which disturb more than one acre of soil require a Rule Five Erosion Control Plan. Wood-Land-Lakes Resource Conservation and Development Mike Yoder, Land Trust Chairman Making Changes and Still Going Strong John Hulewicz, President For many of us, surviving the recession was the primary focus of our business and personal lives the last two years. The Wood- Land-Lakes Resource Conservation and Development Council did not escape the effects of the worst economic downturn since the great depression. USDA cut all funding to RC&D s, which resulted in loss of office space and USDA employees. Wood Land Lakes RC&D still exists today only because of the continuing dedication, of a volunteer council, to the primary purposes and values of resource conservation and sustainable development activities. Wood-Land-Lakes is operating entirely on voluntary contributions. Much of the physical office has been moved to ParGil Natural Resources Learning Center in LaGrange, with most of the day-to-day operations being conducted from the homes of Council members and our part-time staff person, Lisa Ledgerwood. The Council president for 2012 is John Hulewicz; and the Land Trust Chairman is Mike Yoder. The Council has developed a new strategic plan that focuses Wood-Land-Lakes efforts primarily on Land Trust activities. While consolidation of projects has occurred, Wood-Land-Lakes remains open and interested in projects relating to it s goals and core values of promoting land conservation; strengthening water quality and quantity management; expanding rural community development; and stimulating land protection and management. The Wood-Land-Lakes Land Trust continues to experience growth. The Trust now has 20 donated conservation easements, protecting over 9,100 acres in northern Indiana; and, has 3 more farms representing another 500 acres working through the conservation easement process. Check out the Wood -Land-Lakes website at to learn about a few of the farms protected for future agriculture production. Contact us if you are interested in becoming involved in Land Trust or Council activities. The Land Trust Committee is looking for a few additional volunteers for monitoring easements and evaluating new farms. Additionally, please consider a charitable contribution to Wood-Land-Lakes RC&D to assist us in covering our annual operating expenses. Donations can be earmarked for specific purposes such as general operating funds or Land Trust activities. Wood-Land-Lakes is a section 501(c)3 nonprofit organization; therefore, your donation is tax deductible (in compliance with IRS regulations). Checks, made payable to Wood-Land-Lakes RC&D, can be mailed to 155 Lane 101 West Otter Lake, Angola, IN For more information about Wood-Land-Lakes, please visit or call (260)

16 Page ANNUAL REPORT Looking Ahead in 2012: Some topics to keep track of New Grants: Two Clean Water Indiana Sediment & Nutrient Reduction Multi-County Grants: 1. Partnering with Dekalb County to provide cost-share for installing Blind-Inlets and Cover Crops in the Fish and Upper Cedar Creek Watersheds in our counties. See story below. 2. Partnering with LaGrange County to provide cost-share for Cover Crops, Exclusion Fencing, and Hay/Pasture Seedings in the Fawn River and Pigeon River/Creek Watersheds in our counties. Pending Applications: Indiana Department of Environmental Management Section 319 Grants: Pigeon Creek Watershed Management Plan Update and Phase Three Implementation: Unbelievably, the PCWMP was completed almost six years ago. It s time for an update, so we can see where we ve been and where we need to go from here. Soil and water quality is an ongoing issue and we will continue to try to improve it with project implementation in critical areas. Fawn River Watershed Management Plan: This is a multi-county and multi-state grant that would enable a WMP to be developed in this watershed, which is the second largest Watershed in Steuben County. If we receive this grant and a WMP is completed, it will enable us to apply for future implementation grants to fund land treatment and other water quality projects. Lake and River Enhancement Watershed Land Treatment Grants: Pigeon Creek Watershed: There is still work to be accomplished in this watershed to improve soil and water quality. We have applied for additional funding for Turkey Creek Watershed: This LARE project has been very successful, but we are finding new projects out there, and we are working with producers in efforts to adopt a complete no-till rotation, including cover crops. We have applied for additional funding in New Ideas: Possible District Cost-Share Programs: What types of Best Management Practices (Agricultural or Urban) would you like to see us provide assistance with? We want to hear from you. Contact us by phone (260) ext. 3 or on the web ( and let us know. Training Sessions/Workshops: Would you like to see us offer training sessions/workshops on farming practices or soil improvement, such as gypsum or variable rate equipment? Share your ideas with us. We d love to hear them!! Clean Water Indiana Funds Available Clean Water Indiana funds are now available for landowners/operators who are interested in planting cover crops or installing Blind In-lets in the Fish Creek (see Map 3 on page 9) and Upper Cedar Creek Watersheds. Cost-share funds are available at a maximum $20 per acre to plant a maximum of 60 acres of cover crops. Landowner/operators have the option to divide the maximum 60 acres in to multiple years (i.e. 20 acres per year) to better evaluate cover crop performance under varying weather conditions. The ultimate goal of the program is to provide the landowner/operator the opportunity to experiment with cover crops in efforts to learn how to better manage them, and eventually incorporate them into their farming practice. Cost-share funds are also now available for the installation of Blind In-lets, a subsurface drainage system that replace traditional tile risers/stand pipes. Blind In-lets are 10 feet by 10 feet perforated PVC squares that are buried a minimum of 20 inches, backfilled in gravel, wrapped in geo-textual fabric, and covered with a minimum of 12 inches of sand. These in-lets allow for adequate drainage, equivalent to traditional tile risers, while allowing for easier farming due to fewer obstacles to maneuver around. Cost-share for Blind In-lets will be at 75 percent of the total bills, caped at a maximum $1,000 per in -let. Please contact our office, at (260) ext. 3, for more information.

17 Volume 35 Issue 1 Page 16 Tri-State Conservation Farming Expo: Farming 4R Future The 11th annual Tri-State Conservation Farming Expo, hosted by the St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative, is scheduled for Tuesday March 13, 2012 from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Veterans Memorial Building on the Williams County, Ohio Fair Grounds, 619 E. Main St., Montpelier, Ohio. The Expo will focus on the environmental impacts fertilizer is causing in the Western Lake Erie Basin, pending governmental regulations, and how farmers can be proactive in prevent governmental regulation by improving fertilizer management. The Expo theme, Farming 4R Future, keys on the four Rs of fertilizing: Right Source, Right Time, Right Rate, & Right Place. Keynote speaker Dale Minyo, an Ohio State University graduate in Agriculture Economics, will discuss sustaining the viability of agriculture in the Great Lakes Region. Other speakers include: Dave Baker from Heidelberg University, Rick Unger from Lake Erie Charter Boat Association, representatives from the Ohio Governor s Task Force, Tim Barney from Agronomy First Consulting, Joe Nester from Nester Ag., Famer Rodney Rulon, and Nick Renner a landowner/farmer in the St. Mary s River Watershed. Registration costs $20 before March 1st, and $25 from March 1st to day of, which includes reference material and lunch. Continuing education credits will be available for Certified Crop Advisors. Registration Forms are available at our office, 1220 N 200 W Angola, Indiana, or can be printed off from our website ( Farm Service Agency (FSA) Important Dates DCP SIGNUP: Signup for the 2012 DCP program has started and will run through June 1, The program is very similar to last year, with the exception that there are no advance payments for We are encouraging producers to enroll early, due to limited staffing. Please call to make an appointment at (260) ext 2. CRP REMINDERS: CRP acres need to be certified annually. We are currently able to take those reports now. Please call for an appointment at (260) ext 2. We recently sent out information concerning mid management activities that need to be completed this year. If you have any questions about this, give us a call. GRAIN LOANS: Price support loans are available for corn, soybeans and wheat. The loans mature 9 months after disbursement. Please call, (260) ext. 2 for more info. If you already have a loan, please remember to watch the condition of the grain, and let us know before you move any grain under loan. Tree Planting Workshop Scheduled A tree planting workshop, sponsored by Purdue Extension and our office, will be held at 7:00 pm Thursday, February 23rd at the Steuben Community Center, 317 S. Wayne Street, Angola, Indiana for those who have or are interested in planting windbreaks, wildlife habitat, or forest plantations. The workshop will cover subjects including tree ordering, planting, spacing, species selection, soil types, weed control, and other related subjects. Many people have planted trees for windbreaks, reforestation, or wildlife habitat with disappointing results. During this workshop you will learn how proper planting and management determine the success or failure of your newly planted seedlings. Reasons to attend this workshop include how to properly prepare for planting, types of trees to order, how to control weeds, and where to find help with tree plantings. Registration for the workshop is $5.00 with reference materials and refreshments available. Please contact our office, at (260) ext. 3, for more information.

18 Steuben County Soil & Water Conservation District Peachtree Plaza N 200 W Angola, IN x3 Conserving the Natural Resources of Steuben County for Future Generations! All programs and activities of the Steuben County Soil and Water Conservation District and its Partnership Agencies are offered on a non-discriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual s income is derived from any public assistance program. Feb 7th Feb 8th Feb 20th Feb 23rd March 8th March 13th March 14th April 6th April 11th May 8th May 9th May 28 Upcoming Events... Pigeon Creek Steering Committee Meeting Steuben Community Center Steuben SWCD Board Meeting USDA Service Center Presidents Day (Office Closed) Tree Planting Workshop (See Story Inside) Steuben Community Center Forest Management Workshop Steuben Community Center Tri-State Conservation Farming Expo (See Story Inside) Williams County, OH Fairgrounds Steuben SWCD 62nd Annual Meeting (See Story Inside) Zollner Clubhouse, Trine University Good Friday (Office 12:00 pm) Steuben SWCD Board Meeting USDA Service Center Primary Election (Office Closed) Steuben SWCD Board Meeting USDA Service Center Memorial Day (Office Closed) 2011 Affiliate Members The District Board gratefully acknowledges our 2011 Affiliate Members. The donations received from these individuals and business helped support the Information and Education programs of the District. If you or your business would like to become an Affiliate Member, please contact our office. CM Holman Farms Angola, IN Tom Green Engineering Angola, IN North Central Co-op Angola/Fremont, IN Kevin Northup Excavating LaGrange, IN Noll Bros Oil, Inc. Hudson, IN City of Angola/Trine University Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Angola, IN