Tillamook County Local Work Group Meeting
March 19, 2013 Tillamook OSU Extension
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order by Mitch at 10:10 a.m. Self-introductions followed. Those in attendance were:
Mitch Cummings, NRCS Rudy Fenk, Tillamook SWCD
Scott Bailey, Tillamook TEP Becca Pederson, NRCS
Dee Robinson, NRCS York Johnson, DEQ
Michele Long, ODFW Gus Meyer, Tillamook SWCD
Alex Sifford, Nestucca-Neskowin WC Armando Macias , ODA
Denise Troxell, NRCS State Office Jasen McCoy, ODF
Taylor Larson, Food Roots Shelly Bowe, Food Roots
Bub Boquist, Tillamook SWCD Anne Derting, NRCS State Office
Walt Beeler, Landowner/Participant
Chrissy Smith, Lower Nehalem Watershed Cncl
Mitch welcomed everyone to the meeting, and stated that the purpose of this meeting is to provide a forum for NRCS to work collaboratively with our partners so we can develop a plan that strategically utilizes limited resources in a way that benefits all of us. This is an annual meeting to gather input on the future direction of our NRCS programs.
If any Hispanic or women farmers feel they have been discriminated against by Farm Service Agency a USDA Agency between 1981 and 2000, you may file a claim. For more information contact your local FSA office in Hillsboro.
EQIP program is the main program that NRCS is working with in the county. Financial cost-share assistance is available to address local resource concerns. Local landowners may apply. They must meet the program criteria, and all applications will then be ranked according to the national, state and local criteria set. Once the ranking is complete, the contracts are developed, funds are obligated, and practices can then be implemented. This is based on an approximate 50% cost-share rate. Payment schedules are developed on a regional basis, which includes Oregon, California, and Washington. Mitch reviewed the previous and current year’s program participation and how they broke down by implementation strategy and the amount of funding that was obligated.
Michele asked if there were examples of EQIP projects in the county. Mitch mentioned that several of the concrete above ground manure storage tanks are the most obvious, some other practices include low-pressure nozzles for manure application, and nutrient management to name a few.
2012 - 2013 Conservation Implementation Strategies – Mitch explained the 2 new funding strategies for NRCS, which replaces the old funding pools. The biggest challenge with the CIS’s is outreach and getting the word out to the local people throughout the county. Shelly suggested developing an electronic announcement that could then be sent out through several different networks.
1. Tillamook Water Quality Nutrient Management CIS – set up to help farmers to better utilize the fertilizer value of their manure. Under this strategy, the landowner hires a Technical Service Provider to work with them for three years to assist them to address nutrient management issues such as record keeping, calibrating equipment, soil sampling, and managed application. Armando mentioned that he has noticed a big difference on the ground with the folks who have contracts. Walt mentioned he is in his first year of his contract and is encouraged with the assistance he’s received so far.
2. Nestucca Water Quality/Fish Passage CIS – Stream Process and Fish Passage, Culverts, Riparian Areas, Forest Roads and Sedimentation within the Big Nestucca, Little Nestucca, Neskowin and Sand Lake areas. Four applications have been submitted, including two with large culverts. Several of our partner agencies and organizations are assisting with the permitting and planning process. A recent culvert survey has been conducted in the Tillamook Bay area, which may be the next focus area depending on the survey results and partnership participation.
Questions and discussion followed of how the CIS’s are developed and how NRCS determines the focus areas. Tom Gohlke, Tom Thomson, and Bruce Wilson are three of the TSP’s certified by NRCS to work with Nutrient Management. You can find the list of TSP’s online at: http:\\techreg.sc.egov.usda.gov
3. There is also a National Initiative for High Tunnel (hoop houses) which is funded nationally. Extends the growing season, and allows landowners to grow crops that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to grow on the coast. Gus asked about the hoop houses he has seen that have been destroyed in the winter months due to the harsh weather conditions, especially wind. There are certain regulations that must be followed in designing and constructing the hoop houses, and contract holders are responsible for maintaining the hoop houses, so if they do get damaged, they must be repaired. Records must be kept by landowner of crops grown and improvements made by having the hoop house. The High Tunnel Initiative allows us to work with folks we typically would not be able to work with otherwise.
4. The other National Initiative is for Organic Farmers. We did not receive any applications for this implementation strategy. One of the biggest issues for organic farmers has been elk. Unfortunately, fence as a standalone practice does not qualify as a practice under this strategy. In order to qualify under the organic initiative, you must be officially certified organic or transitioning. The organic operators may also apply under the regular EQIP initiatives for practices that may not be covered under the organic strategy.
There was a general discussion about the increase of landowners raising corn as a livestock food source, and how that affects the nutrient management. Armando is working with these folks to educate them on proper management practices and how to utilize the manure effectively, and how to manage a cover crop outside of the corn growing season to effectively utilize the manure and treat the land to prevent soil erosion.
Discussion of Future CIS for Tillamook County
A. Nestucca Forestry – an NRCS volunteer is working on creating a forest inventory database that will provide the needed data to know where the greatest need is. EQIP participants must be on private non-industrial forest land. All landowners must have a Forest Management Plan completed before they would qualify for management practices. If they already have one developed by ODF or themselves, it may qualify as long as it meets NRCS’s standards. This strategy when developed would provide cost-share assistance to hire a TSP to complete the Forest Management Plan. Then, once the plan is in place, they may reapply to implement the practices recommended within the plan based on what is available in the CIS practice list. Jasen mentioned that ODF is moving towards a streamlined Universal Forest Management Plan that will meet all agency requirements. Michele mentioned that she has worked with the small woodland owners who are targeting a special niche market with specialty products.
B. Tillamook Water Quality and Fish Passage – may also look at the Nehalem area where a resource inventory has already been conducted. See notes above in section 2 for additional comments regarding Tillamook Water Quality/Fish Passage CIS
C. Other Potential Focus Areas –
Nehalem Nutrient Management
Sedimentation
Lower Nehalem
Invasive Species Management
Question as to how the focus areas are developed or designed, and how to change the boundaries. There are more identifiable fish passage barrier culverts on public roads vs. private roads. How would it be possible for NRCS to partner with other agencies to work on the public roads where producers transport products out of or within the county? The answer is, we don’t know. We are able to work on adjacent private lands, but we have to follow the National requirements and guidelines handed down to us through program rules. The USFS is able to work on adjacent lands through the Wyden amendment.
Wetland Reserve Program – 1 easement is in place in the county. Fencing has been completed. NRCS is currently undergoing a program restructuring for the WRP program at the state level. Most WRP is being focused in the Willamette Valley and Klamath areas. Funding is uncertain at this point for the future of this program in our area.
Shelly suggested that we come up with a comprehensive technical contact list that the different organizations can refer people to for assistance.
Announcements and Additional Discussions
All agency/organization representatives updated the group on current projects happening in the county.
Meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
Dee Robinson
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