ANNUAL REPORT. Creating an environmentally and economically sound Fulton County where people want to live, work, and play.

Transcription

1 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 Creating an environmentally and economically sound Fulton County where people want to live, work, and play.

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents A Message from the Manager 1 Directors 2 Streams 3 Recycling 6 Agriculture 8 Promotion & Marketing 10 Contact Information 11

3 A MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER A Message from the Manager For over 70 years, the Fulton County Conservation District has been working behind-the-scenes to conserve the soil, water, and related natural resources of Fulton County. The District is the second-oldest in the Commonwealth, formed on December 8, 1945 by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. OUR VISION Our vision is our destination where we are going. The vision of the Fulton County Conservation District is an environmentally and economically secure Fulton County where people want to live, work, and play. Like many of you, the Directors and Staff of the District live in Fulton County and are interested in preserving the quality of life and culture that we enjoy in this rural setting. OUR MISSION Our mission speaks to the heart of what we do how we get to where we are going. The mission of the Fulton County Conservation District is to conserve, protect, and restore our environmental health. Our mission will turn our vision into practice, and create the future we want for our community. OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES The following strategic priorities represent specific, measurable outcomes what we want to achieve. From , the Fulton County Conservation District will: 1. Reduce impaired streams by 30%. 2. Increase the volume of materials recycled by 10%. 3. Assist 50 farmers in achieving baseline compliance with state environmental regulations. 4. Increase the promotion and marketing of the District by 25%. LOOKING AHEAD Ultimately, our strategic plan focuses on reaching our highest potential and securing our position as a valuable asset to our community. We all have a vested interest in the future of Fulton County. The Board of Directors and Staff of the Fulton County Conservation District are excited and energized to move forward in executing our plan to create a better Fulton County for generations to come. Seleen Shives District Manager March 31, 2017 Page 1

4 DIRECTORS Directors The Fulton County Conservation District is governed by a nine-member board of directors. Pennsylvania s Conservation District Law dictates that the board consists of one member of the county governing body, four farmers, and four public members. District directors have a direct say in how people in the county deal with many important natural resource issues such as water quality, forestry, agricultural best management practices, and soil erosion. Serving on the conservation district board is an excellent way to make an impact on the future of our natural resources. District directors are nominated by county-wide nominating organizations. Each year, these organizations nominate individuals to serve as director for each vacancy on the district board and submits the names to the County Commissioners for consideration. The Commissioners then appoint directors from the nominations received to fill the vacant positions. DIRECTORS Wayne MacDonald, Chairman Neill Miller, Vice-Chairman Russell McLucas, Treasurer Larry Pete Lynch, Commissioner Representative Thomas Glenn Christian Hann Mark Knepper Marvin Jake Richards Jason Shives Public Director Farmer Director Farmer Director County Commissioner Farmer Director Public Director Farmer Director Public Director Public Director Conservation District Board Meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month at 10:30 AM in the District Conference Room. Page 2

5 STREAMS Streams STRATEGIC PRIORITY #1: REDUCE IMPAIRED STREAMS BY 30%. Several streams in Fulton County have been designated impaired by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. These streams are primarily impaired by excessive sediment and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). Restoring the quality of these impaired streams is at the core of our mission. Clean water is important for all living things, from the top of the watershed here in Fulton County, to the bottom of the watershed in the Chesapeake Bay. FEATURE PROJECT: LOCAL WATERWAY ASSESSED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection visited the McConnellsburg area to examine environmental improvements in the Spring Run watershed, and to determine how those improvements may be improving stream health and water quality locally. Biological samples of stream life were collected, along with water samples which were measured for temperature, ph, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients. Results of the testing will not be known right away, but all involved were confident water quality in Spring Run is improving rapidly. The Fulton County Conservation District has, for years, been focused on working with landowners to make improvements to the 10 square mile watershed, currently deemed impaired by agriculture. Spring Run, the main stem of which stretches from the Great Cove Golf Course to Webster s Mill is a unique waterway, fed by a large number of limestone springs found along its course. This cool water results in unique and abundant aquatic life that can be the food source for hungry trout, as evidenced by the excellent trout fishery found on Big Cove Creek, below the mouth of Spring Run. Ample cool water and fertile limestone soils were also attractive to Native Americans and early European settlers. More than 250 years of crop production, livestock production, and settlement, have resulted in the degradation of the stream through unintentional inputs of sediment, manure and the nutrients associated with both. Improvements implemented by local landowners have included improved manure storage and animal feeding areas, eliminating livestock access to the stream through development of off-stream watering systems, and full stream channel restoration, which includes eliminating bank erosion, creating fish habitat and replanting the streambanks and parts of the floodplain with native trees and shrubs. Page 3

6 STREAMS Funds to assist landowners in these conservation improvements have come through private, state and federal grant programs, as well as the landowner s dollars. The State of Pennsylvania is currently reassessing many waterways of the Commonwealth to determine if those waterways are impaired significantly by human activities. The Federal and state government continue to debate the specific role each should play in the creation and enforcement of environmental regulations pertaining to water quality, specifically as it relates to agriculture. The specific role Pennsylvania should play in improving the quality of the Chesapeake Bay by reducing sediment and nutrient inputs to streams is also a hot topic in Harrisburg and Washington D.C. Locally, the goal of clean water, suitable for fishing and swimming, greatly improves the rural quality of life for all Fulton County residents. Achieving those goals means keeping top soil, soil nutrients, manure and fertilizer on the farm rather than in our waterways. Fortunately successfully preventing pollution can improve soil health and help the farmers bottom line. Helping citizens understand their obligations under the law, and finding cost effective ways to implement beneficial changes is the fun and rewarding part. FEATURE PROJECT: ROAD PROJECTS COMPLETED The District funded several projects this past year through the Dirt & Gravel and Low Volume Road Program. Projects included a stream culvert replacement, filling the road profile, bank stabilization and a low volume road stream crossing. The District also purchased a Buffalo Turbine Leaf Blower to remove debris from roadside ditches. Townships are encouraged to contact the District with potential projects or to rent the leaf blower. Union Township completed a project on South Hixon Road by addressing drainage issues with the installation of six culverts and then placing Driving Surface Aggregate (DSA). DSA is a well graded, unbound mixture of aggregate designed for use as a wearing surface on unpaved roads developed by the Center for Dirt and Gravel Roads Studies. The Center is part of Penn State University. The DSA mix is placed using a paver to a depth of 8 inches of loose material compacted to 6 inches or 6 inches compacted to 4.5 inches. The mixture looks similar to concrete at placement and will provide a stable road surface for years. This type of surface greatly reduces sediment pollution to waters of the Commonwealth. The PA Game Commission (PGC) completed a project on an access road to State Game Lands 53. The project involved installing or replacing six crosspipes, adding fill over the pipes to create grade breaks in the road and building endwalls and headwalls. Headwalls and endwalls are required on all pipe installations through this program. The headwalls and endwalls were constructed by PGC staff using native stone found on site. The stabilized outlets reduce sediment to the small stream located next to the road. Page 4

7 STREAMS ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS Completed 50 farm site visits, outlining current environmental regulations including manure management and agricultural E&S plans. Worked with US Fish and Wildlife staff, as well as staff from Aquatic Resource Restoration Company, in the field and office, to collect data and design the Big Cove Creek Streambank Restoration Project. Successfully acquired $20,000 in additional funding for the ongoing Big Cove Creek Streambank Restoration Project. Conducted seasonal macroinvertebrate sampling in the Big Cove Creek watershed. Worked with PA DEP to evaluate the suitability of Spring Run for removal from the list of PA s impaired waters. Administered the Big Cove Creek Agricultural Implementation Growing Greener Grant, focused on decreasing environmental impact of multiple farms in the upper Cove Creek watershed. Supervised a team of interns who conducted a detailed watershed assessment of Big Cove Creek s upper main stem. Conducted a variety of educational presentations with local schools and community groups. The District s Erosion & Sediment Control Technician provided technical assistance to 83 individuals; conducted 7 initial and 8 follow-up Erosion & Sediment Control Plan Reviews; issued 4 General NPDES permits and 1 Individual NPDES permit; conducted 36 inspections on 25 sites; and responded to 6 complaints received by the District. Page 5

8 RECYCLING Recycling STRATEGIC PRIORITY #2: INCREASE THE VOLUME OF MATERIALS RECYCLED BY 10%. Conservation District Staff have been instrumental in developing and expanding the County s Recycling Program. The program is a win-win for consumers, the local community, and the environment. Recycling conserves natural resources, while reducing pollution and energy consumption. The District hopes to increase program participation and offer additional recycling opportunities to our residents. FEATURE PROJECT: RECYCLING FLYER MAILED OUT TO ALL HOUSEHOLDS IN FULTON COUNTY In an effort to inform Fulton County residents of all the recycling opportunities available to them, District Staff developed the flyer seen below and mailed it out to all households in Fulton County. The flyer includes information on single-stream recycling and electronics recycling, as well as information on how to recycle plastic bags, used motor oil, household hazardous waste and used clothing. Page 6

9 RECYCLING ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS 38 tons of tires were collected for recycling through the annual tire collection event held in May. 2 tons of Household Hazardous Waste were collected for proper disposal through the annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event held in the fall. Four tractor trailer loads of electronics were collected and sent for recycling through the County s ongoing Electronics Recycling Program. 290 tons of recyclable materials were collected in the County s Single-Stream Recycling Program. 124 tons of recyclable materials were collected by contracted Single-Stream Recycling Program (small businesses and schools). Page 7

10 AGRICULTURE Agriculture STRATEGIC PRIORITY #3: ASSIST 50 FARMERS IN ACHIEVING BASELINE COMPLIANCE WITH STATE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS According to state regulations, all farms, regardless of size, are required to have a written Erosion & Sediment Control (E&S) Plan and Manure Management Plan. These plans help farmers conserve and improve soils and best utilize manure, to increase profitability and minimize sediment and nutrient pollution in our local streams and groundwater. Over the past three years, District Staff have conducted 300 farm site visits in Fulton County in an effort to increase awareness of these requirements within the agricultural community. Assisting farmers in developing these plans will help them meet the baseline compliance requirements and ultimately, will result in cleaner water for all. In 2016, the District s Ag Specialist assisted 17 farmers in achieving baseline compliance with state regulations by developing Manure Management Plans. The Specialist also ensured that each farmer had an up-to-date Conservation Plan that meets the current regulatory requirements. FEATURE PROJECT: SPRING COVER CROP FIELD DAYS - RETURN TO THE 2015 TEST PLOTS Promoting good conservation practices and soil health to our farming community is a major area of focus for the Fulton County Conservation District (District). In 2015, the District was awarded a Chesapeake Bay Program - Special Project Grant to fund several field days to educate farmers and the general public on the benefits of no-till farming and multi-species cover crops. The District and the local USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), worked together to provide information on the fundamental concepts and benefits of no-till and multi-species cover crops. Farmers got a first-hand look at the practice of multi-species cover crops in late October of On October 27 th and 29 th, the District and NRCS conducted two field days with nearly a dozen interested individuals participating. The goal of the special project grant was to identify two county farmers who were willing to try multi-species cover crop mixes on their farms. The two farmer participants were Knepper s Red Hill Jersey and Hendershot Farms. Through the grant, the District was able to purchase the seed and provide the drill for planting. The District and NRCS revisited these test plots in the Spring of 2016 to see the final product before kill down. The plots gave us an opportunity to evaluate the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of planting dates. The field days were very beneficial to all who attended and good discussion was had on what worked and what did not work. Page 8

11 AGRICULTURE ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Held two Manure Management Planning Workshops to assist landowners/operators in developing plans. Specialist conducted 102 informal, face-to-face farm visits with 77 different farmers in the county. Partnered with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Penn State Extension to hold annual Ag Winter Meeting with nearly 130 farmers in attendance. Reviewed four Nutrient Management Plans and conducted 10 annual status reviews on operations with Nutrient Management Plans. Held two Cover Crop Field Days in both the spring and the fall. No-Till Drill Rental Program established 1,104 acres of crops including oats, wheat, barley, rye, timothy, orchard grass, alfalfa and sorghum sudan grass. A total of 38 farmers rented the drill. Page 9

12 PROMOTION & MARKETING Promotion & Marketing STRATEGIC PRIORITY #4: INCREASE THE PROMOTION & MARKETING OF THE DISTRICT BY 25%. Too often, the good work that Conservation District Staff is doing in our community is unknown to the general public. Increased promotion of our activities will inform residents about what we are doing and more importantly, why it is valuable. This will enable us to educate the public and gain support for our mission: to conserve, protect and restore the environmental health of our community. FEATURE PROJECT: INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE DISTRICT In 2014, the District developed a strategy for increasing the General Public s awareness of the Conservation District. The objectives of this strategy included increased exposure in the Fulton County News (2-3 times/month), increased activity on the District s Facebook page (2-3 times/week), and attending the meetings of other community organizations that share a common interest in the District. The District continued to implement this strategy in FEATURE PROJECT: ACTION AD CAMPAIGN In an effort to increase general public awareness about environmental issues and increase the District s exposure in our community, the District carried over our action ad campaign into The rotating ads covered a variety of topics and provided tips on WHAT YOU CAN DO to help the District in its mission to conserve, protect, and restore our environmental health. Page 10

13 CONTACT INFORMATION Contact Information SELEEN SHIVES DISTRICT MANAGER DENISE GRISSINGER ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT SCOTT ALEXANDER WATERSHED SPECIALIST Tel ndistrict.org Tel ndistrict.org Tel ndistrict.org GREG REINEKE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SPECIALIST ERIC CROMER AGRICULTURAL SPECIALIST BRIAN JAYMES DIRT GRAVEL & LOW VOLUME ROAD SPECIALIST Tel istrict.org Tel rict.org Tel iondistrict.org 216 North Second Street, Suite 15, McConnellsburg, PA Tel Fax Page 11