January 2005
Sheridan County Conservation Notes
119 North Jackson
Plentywood, MT 59254
406-765-1801
A bimonthly publication of the Sheridan County Conservation District
SCCD Responds to Your Input
In the last issue of Conservation Notes, we printed your responses to the questionnaire about major natural resource concerns or problems in N.E. Montana. And we promised we would respond. So Here goes;
The most important natural resource area of concern to you is noxious weeds, followed by water quality, water availability, agricultural
sustainability, and agriculture productivity and conservation.
The District continues its policy of providing education and guidance regarding noxious weeds. Although the County Weed District has authority over noxious weed control, the Conservation District cooperates with the Weed District in all efforts in the battle against noxious weeds.
The District began an intensive study of the Big Muddy Creek in the spring of 2004. We have a grant from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to monitor the creek for one more year (2005). (See a compete report at www.bigmuddywatershed.com)
The District also measures, samples, and tests about 100 wells in the County every month. These are primarily in the southeastern part of the County in the Clear Lake Aquifer, but wells and streams elsewhere in the County are also monitored on a regular basis. The District will also assist any resident of the County in any water related issue that should arise, including permit, water quality, and water quantity matters.
You get most of your accurate information about natural resources from the Sheridan County Conservation District, the County Extension Service, NRCS, Wheat Growers Association, and FSA.
The District has improved its information services with the addition of two new web sites. You can learn about the District and the projects at http://sheridan.mt.nacdnet.org/index.html. The Big Muddy Watershed is a group of interested landowners and other citizens from a three county area that has formed in response to concerns over the quality and quantity of water in the Big Muddy Creek. You can find out about all the Big Muddy Watershed activities at www.bigmuddywatershed.com.
The District also continues to publish this newsletter and you catch the radio program at 10:00 am every other Tuesday on KATQ, 100.1 FM or 1070 Am.
You said the Sheridan County Conservation District should concentrate its education and service information efforts on full-time farmers and ranchers and state and local politicians followed by the local business community, national politicians, and schools.
The District’s main focus is, always has, and always will be on the producer. However, with limited availability of funding and grant prospects, it is imperative that every opportunity be used to combine information for producers and education for the general public.
Educating Sheridan County youth in the ways of conservation is very important to the success of the District. Just one of the many devices used by the district is the Rolling River Trailer. The Trailer is an interactive, hands-on river model that can be manipulated and molded to show the cause and effect of erosion, construction, and farm practices on rivers and streams.
In the political arena the District utilizes all of the service of the Montana Association of Conservation Districts and the National Association of Conservation Districts. These two organizations, along with the efforts of the District Supervisors in Sheridan County combine for a very effective effort in the legislatures.
The most important service the Sheridan County Conservation District, in cooperation with NRCS, can provide is conservation planning, then cost-share programs, information, soil survey and soil information, and erosion and sediment control
The District has a very positive, long-time relationship with both the local NRCS and FSA offices. Cost-share and information programs from these agencies continue to evolve, as does the family farm.
The District’s partnership with NRCS in conservation planning, soil information and surveys, and erosion programs is especially rewarding. The results of this collaboration can be seen throughout the County. The District also has the unique roll with NRCS in providing local input to federally funded programs. These programs can be tailored to fit local needs with the appropriate input.
We also asked you to tell us what you think is the area most in need of natural resource conservation assistance. You told us the area most in need is grazing followed by the Big Muddy Creek, crop rotation, helping young farmers, and salinity.
The District has acknowledged your input about the most important conservation needs in Sheridan County with the study of the Big Muddy and a valuable crop rotation EQIP program from NRCS. NRCS also provides a beginning farmer program that increases the agency’s cost-share substantially.
The District and NRCS work very closely with Montana Salinity Control (MSCA) in that area. MSCA currently has approximately 30 projects in Sheridan County and is involved in several new ventures every year. MSCA has been working in Sheridan County since 1985 and their Board of Directors includes one of the District’s Supervisors.
If you have a topic or situation you feel needs our attention or you need assistance with, please give us a call at 406-765-1801 or stop by the office at 119 N. Jackson in Plentywood.
Page 1 Page 3 Page 4
Home | Minutes/Agendas | Newsletter | History | Calendar | Annual Plan
Big Muddy | Leafy Spurge | Oil Brine | Clear Lake Aquifer | Pictures | Equipment Rental | Contact Us
Web
Sites by