Park Conservation District s2

Park Conservation District 5242 Highway 89 South Livingston, MT 59047 Telephone (406) 222-2899x111 July 5th, 2016 REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES USDA Building, Conference Room, 5242 Hwy 89 South Livingston, MT 59047 11:00 a.m.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Ned Zimmerman, vice chair; Daryl Stutterheim, Gayleen Malone

NON-BOARD MEMBERS: Jessica Anderson, District Administrator; Dylan Graves, Watershed Coordinator; Scott Opitz, Montana FWP; Nicole Divine; Dan Rostad, YRCDC; Ted Nelson, NRCS

Ned Zimmerman called the regular Park CD meeting to order at 11:20AM.

310 APPLICATIONS/SITE INSPECTION REPORTS/DECISIONS: A. PK-26-16E Not an Emergency Dean Langton: Un-named Spring– Emergency action was taken to divert water around existing pond. The field investigation report and related photos were reviewed and discussed. Given the fact there was no immediate emergency at the time of actions taken, the project does not meet the definition of an emergency and constitutes a violation of the 310 law. Stutterheim made the motion to deem the project not an emergency and to issue a $250 civil penalty. Malone seconded and the motion passed, 3-0. B. PK-27-16 Tabled Dean Langton: : Un-named Spring – Installation of a 24” diameter culvert and flow-regulating, rock arches in spring channel. Following review, the board unanimously agreed to table the application until Langton indicates the number of rock arches being proposed. C. PK-59-15C Violation Paul Ezekiel: Mission Creek: Complaint was filed reporting stream was being diverted to fill a recently installed pond. Opitz and Malone conducted the site inspection. Ezekiel was present at the meeting and reported the pond was existing when he purchased the property from Dean Langton and Langton installed the pond. Following discussion and legal counsel, Stutterheim made the motion to require Langton to restore the entire affected area to prior condition, using the services of an experienced person qualified in the restoration of streams to restore the referenced area. Furthermore, the board must approve the use of the stream restoration person prior to the commencement of any work in the project area. The restoration person shall develop a restoration plan in consultation with Ezekiel. Upon approval of a restoration plan, the restoration person shall complete the restoration work. Langton is required to submit the name of the restoration person by July 25, 2016. Langton shall also submit a 310 application with a restoration plan on or before July 25, 2016. Malone seconded and the motion passed, 3-0. D. PK-58-16 Approved w/ Modifications Bill Sarrazin: Bangtail Creek – Removal of beaver dam in order to prevent damage to adjacent bridge. – Removal of beaver dam in order to prevent damage to adjacent bridge. The beaver dam is currently underneath the bridge and will likely damage the bridge in the future. There is another dam upstream. After discussion, Malone motioned to approve the dam

July 5, 2016 Page 1 Park Conservation District 5242 Highway 89 South Livingston, MT 59047 Telephone (406) 222-2899x111 removal project. Stutterheim seconded and the motion passed, 3-0. E. PK-48-15 Denied Jay Popcock c/o Amy Bell: : Installation of a stone walkway and terraced deck down to river. Application was tabled pending the submission of floating-deck plans which have been submitted for review. Plans were submitted, though they were not detailed enough to be approved. With that in mind, Stutterheim made the motion to deny the application. Malone seconded and the motion passed, 3-0.

TREASURER’S REPORT & FINANCIAL ITEMS: A. Approval of checks and financial reports: Following review, Malone made the motion to approve the treasurer’s report and financials. Stutterheim seconded and the motion passed, 3- 0.

MINUTES APPROVAL A. Approval of May minutes: Stutterheim made the motion to approve the June 7th, 2016 meeting minutes. Malone seconded and the motion passed, 3-0.

NRCS UPDATE Ted Nelson, NRCS DC, provided this month’s update. NRCS required the board to re-sign the cooperative working agreement between Park CD and NRCS, which is required every two years. He also provided copies of the civil rights and equal employment opportunities documents and policies that NRCS follows. Finally, he provided weather/precipitation information for the county, as of July 1st. Rangeland Precipitation Data (per weather station):  Gardiner: 84%  Livingston Airport: 73%  Springdale: 62%  Wilsall: 79%

NEW BUSINESS: A. DNRC 223 – Cover Crops project: The project participants have received their seeds and Daryl Stutterheim, Ned Zimmerman, and Melvin Goffena have planted them. Burt Otis will plant his seeds in the near future. The seeds were purchased from North 40 Ag. B. DNRC Contract #223-16-3474: This contract is for the cover crops project and was signed before the deadline on June 30, 2016. A discussion was had about the project and its goals and progress. C. DNRC HB 223 – Watershed Warriors application: We are resubmitting the Watershed Warriors grant for the July cycle in hopes that it will be funded this time around. D. YRCDC update & discussion of interim Park CD representative: Dan Rostad talked about YRCDC and creating an interim Park CD representative in case Jerry O’Hair steps down from the board. The council is still remaining intact, moving in new directions now that the CEA is complete. The Army Corps of Engineers still has not completely finalized the CEA, however,

July 5, 2016 Page 2 Park Conservation District 5242 Highway 89 South Livingston, MT 59047 Telephone (406) 222-2899x111 so no public broadcast is yet possible. There is a new clearinghouse to navigate the CEA, and an administrator will soon be coming to train Jessica on it. Jerry O’Hair may be stepping down from the board soon, so we would like to replace him. Nicole Devine came to the meeting to say that she wants to be the representative. E. Tintina Mine Tour: The Tintina mine tour was postponed until a future date in hopes that more people will be able to attend. It will be rescheduled for the fall. F. Park County Fair/Park CD – Champion Range Exhibit/Exhibitor award: Park CD would like to contribute something for the Park County Fair this year. The board decided to sponsor a champion range exhibit award or a community service award. The prize will be a buckle or jacket, depending on what other prizes are for other awards.

WATERSHED BUSINESS: A. Upper Yellowstone Watershed Basin Updates:  Next Meeting: September 8th, Emigrant  Meeting to discuss the Forest Plan Revisions B. Shields Valley Watershed Group Updates:  Next Meeting: TBD

PUBLIC COMMENT: There was no public comment.

MEETING ADJOURNED @ 2:15 PM

NEXT MEETING: August 2nd @ 11:00am

July 5, 2016 Page 3