Welcome to
BUTTE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
2006 Report of Accomplishments (7/1/05-6/30/06)
It is the goal of the Butte Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors to set high standards for conservation and wise use of the natural resources in the district.
_________________________________________________________________________
Most Significant Natural Resource Improvement
Because of the Conservation Security Program (CSP) 2400 acres of
hay land was deferred from haying or grazing until mid July which
created improved nesting and cover habitat for many species of birds,
including sage grouse. Many cooperators noticed significant increases
in nesting birds and overall bird populations, along with increased use
of lands by deer and antelope for fawning and rearing young. Butte
SWCD expects to see this increase in populations continue due to ten
year CSP contracts.
_________________________________________________________________________
Butte SWCD Natural Resource Priority #1 Rangeland/Riparian Accomplishments
- cCRP and EQIP enhanced about 75 acres with riparian forest buffers on Big Lost River.
- Due to CSP high caliber range management on about 15,000 acres has been confirmed and contracted to continue for the next ten years.
- CSP has been an incentive for as many as 20 additional large ranches to improve and document their management and monitoring.
- Distributed over 300 copies of the Stockmanship Manual.
- Sponsored two week long schools for ranchers that provided classroom and hands on livestock handling to facilitate improved range management.
_________________________________________________________________________
Butte SWCD Natural Resource Priority #2 Weed Control Accomplishments
- Supported the Lost Rivers Coordinated Weed Management Area with administration
- Eight “War on Weeds” students from Butte county mapped noxious weeds on 921,000 acres on the INL and 29,000 acres on private and public lands in Butte county.
- Find Inventory and Respond to Exotics (FIRE) projects produced inventory data for response to new invaders.
- INL Facilities Management and National Parks Service-Exotic Plant Management Team assisted with rapid response projects at the Big Lost Sinks and Martin areas.
- Landowners have
been involved in control of Whitetop, Russian Knapweed, Leafy Spurge
and Spotted Knapweed.
- Participated in the 6th grade Natural Resources Workshop which involved about 60 students.
Butte SWCD Natural Resource Priority # 3 Water Quality/Quantity Accomplishments
- 1200 acre feet of water was saved because of the installation of improved water management systems through cost share and other programs.
- Contract items with the CSP will ensure that water quality will continue to be protected on 57 farms in the valley through 2014. Items include the protection of wellheads, control of runoff from feeding areas, compliance with nutrient management plans on CAFOS, applications of fertilizers according to soil test results and at a rate less than the University of Idaho fertilizer guidelines, and increased reliance upon cultural and biological control of weed and insect pests.
_________________________________________________________
Butte SWCD Operations Accomplishments
- Work to increase the effectiveness of supervisors by setting policy of attending meetings.
- Evaluate employee and encourage participation in training and meetings.
- Keep the district financially sound by following SCC Financial Accountability Policies, Guidelines and Procedures and submitting reports in a timely manner.
- Comply with open meeting law.
__________________________________________________________________
Butte SWCD Information and Education Accomplishments
- Presented “Water Wise” program to over 400 elementary students in Arco and Mackay schools.
- Sixty 6th grade students (2 schools) participated in a Natural Resources workshop with hands on activities in weed control, fish biology, flint knapping, forest fire control.
- Poster contest involved sixty 6th grade students with presentation on wise use of water.
- Arranged for eight 7th grade students to attend the Natural Resources Camp
- Two teams attended the Idaho State Envirothon.
- Contributed to the State Forestry and Soils Contest.
_________________________________________________________________________
Community Collaboration and Coordination Accomplishments
As a result of the implementation of the Integrated Pest Management plans, a part of CSP, farmers and ranchers in Butte and South Custer have significantly improved their resources in the following ways:
- An increased awareness and adoption of cultural and biological alternatives to chemical sprays. Cooperators are using each other, Extension Service, the internet, the local weed departments and crop advisors to an unsurpassed extent and are finding new and often less expensive alternatives to pest control.
- Cooperation with local weed departments has never been higher and will eventually result in reducing the spread of noxious weed throughout the valley. There has been an increase in the knowledge of noxious weed life cycles and effective ways to control them.
- Up-front spring CSP payments have provided an incentive and economic boast to landowners enabling them to improve their weed and other pest management programs. Many have purchased better spray rigs and herbicides and taken the time to scout and mark weed locations resulting in more timely and thorough weed control
_________________________________________________________________________
Synopsis of financial assistance coordinated for constituents with District conservation partners to plan, design, and implement Best Management Practices to protect, enhance, and conserve Idaho’s renewable resources.
Source Purpose/Benefit Funding Match Value*
Counties District Operations $ 4,502 $ 2,894*
State District Operations/Information/Education $ 11,435 $ 4,502**
Stockmanship Manual Sales District Operations/I&E $ 7,000
Conservation Security Program Program Delivery $1,200.000
Landowner Contribution to Wildlife Habitat $210,000
Landowner Contribution to Integrated Pest Management $171,000
Environmental Quality Incentive Program Program Delivery $ 377,000 $377,000
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Big Lost River Riparian $ 9,500
Office of Species Conservation Little Lost Riparian $ 15,276
Coordinated Weed Management Area $ 51,977
NRCS Salaries Conservation Programs $ 150,000
Supervisors (In kind time) $ 4,000***
*Includes actual dollars, time, equipment, labor & materials
** State match ***County match
________________________________________________________________________
Conservation District Supervisors
Chairman: Jeff Isham
Vice Chairman: Walt Johnson
Secretary/Treasurer: Laura Waddoups
Member: Sherrie Crawford
Member: Randy Purser
_________________________________________________________________________