Bradford County Conservation District

BRADFORD COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT Stoll Natural Resource Center 200 Lake Road, Suite E, Towanda, PA 18848 Telephone (570)265-5539 Ext. 6

MARCH 2016 MEETING

The March meeting of the Bradford County Conservation District was called to order by Keith Heimbach, Chairperson of the BCCD, on March 7, 2016, at 12:30 PM, at the Stoll Natural Resource Center, Wysox, PA.

OLD BUSINESS:

Tree Seedling Sale – Kristin Pepper reported that we have a larger list of seedlings in the tree sale this year; as well as a wildlife bundle, food plot seed, blueberries, and grapes. Order deadline is April 1st, packaging on the 20th, and distribution on the 23rd. Flyers are being distributed around the County.

Board Retreat – The Directors will hold their Retreat on April 12 & 13 in Williamsport, with a full day on the 12th and half day on the 13th. They would like staff members to attend both days.

DSA Update – Joe Quatrini reported they met with representatives of the State Conservation Commission, Hawbaker, and the Center for Dirt & Gravel Road Studies concerning the issue with DSA bidding for a LeRoy Township project. We have been assured that nothing further will come up from this issue. Hawbaker’s main concern was for the integrity of the program. They did raise concerns with the new specs put out by the Center. Depending on how soon these are finalized, it could affect our projects for this year.

UGWF / CDFAP Funding – Last month we decided to turn down the matching funds from the State Conservation Commission for Ag BMPs, even though we do really have need for this money; believing it is not appropriate to take funds that should be distributed equally to all conservation districts. Cathy Yeakel reported that five of the eight conservation districts involved have denied the funding.

Stephen Foster Lake – Mike Lovegreen and Tess Flynn-Belles met with the contractor involved in the sediment removal project for the Stephen Foster Lake forebay. He has agreed to our assessment of the material that was removed and will come back to remove the remaining sediment in the forebay, as contracted, prior to May 31st, 2016. He will be providing a letter stating these things will be done.

Check Signers – The names on our internet banking for our C&N Bank accounts are Janet MacWhinnie, Bruce Chase, and Mike Lovegreen. Janet reported that Bruce Chase was contacted and he recommended we keep the internet banking, but update the names on it. Daryl Miller made a motion to remove Mike Lovegreen, add Cathy Yeakel, and keep Janet MacWhinnie and Bruce Chase on internet banking for our Citizens & Northern Bank accounts. Scott Lackey seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Ag Committee – The Ag Committee met to discuss the pressures from DEP to shift our role into agricultural compliance. The committee advises that compromising our education and assistance role with farmers would hinder conservation efforts in Bradford County. The committee believes there are valuable ways for the Conservation District to contribute toward PA’s Chesapeake Bay clean-up goals and began working on some of these ideas.

Equipment – Daryl Miller made a motion to replace Jane Carman’s computer at a cost of about $1,500.00. Al Herman seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed. 1 Donations/Memberships Committee – Josh Ford made a motion to support the 4-H Holstein Club calf and heifer sale at $50, as we have done in the past. Scott Lackey seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

Building Committee – Kevin Brown reported that the door to the breakroom has completely delaminated. There are some other doors in the building that need to be replaced, as well. He has looked into replacement possibilities. The Building Committee will look at this for the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

Forest Steward Training – Al Herman made a motion approve sending Dan Rhodes to Forest Steward Training, at Chad Gadsby’s nomination. It is a three day training, from September 29 to October 2, in Madisonburg, Centre County, at Camp Krislund. The only cost will be about $100.00 for travel. Daryl Miller seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

D&G Program – Daryl Miller made a motion to approve the following contracts under the Dirt & Gravel Roads program: Albany Township, Heath Hill Road, at $101,685.00; and Ridgebury Township, Decker Road, at $105,018.25. Josh Ford seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed. Joe Quatrini reported the QAB recommended getting some prices to purchase a vehicle under the Dirt & Gravel Roads program. It was decided to table this until the next meeting to give time to gather more information.

PROGRAM UPDATES:

County Stream Initiative –Tess Flynn-Belles reported that the application period for the County Stream Initiative has ended. We received 17 applications. All sites have been visited and scored, they just need to be ranked. One application that was received late will not be accepted.

Scouting School – Tony Ventello made a motion to send Kevin Brown to Penn State Agronomy Scouting School on April 2nd at a cost of $75.00 and $150.00 for gas, totaling about $225.00. Daryl Miller seconded the motion and it was unanimously passed.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:55 PM by Keith Heimbach, Chairperson.

The next meeting of the Bradford County Conservation District will be on April 4, 2016 at 7:00 PM at the Stoll Natural Resource Center, Wysox, PA.