POLK SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT Annual Report
2012-2013 About Polk Soil and Water Conservation District Back Row (left to right): Billy Burr (NRCS), Marc Bell (Polk SWCD), Alexandra Harding (Polk SWCD Intern), Karla Sanders (Polk SWCD), Debbie Miller (Polk SWCD), Tom Finegan (NRCS). Front Row (left to right): Lucas Hunt (Polk SWCD), Tom Wilson (Polk SWCD), Liz Habley Graham (Polk SWCD), Sawyer Finegan (Polk SWCD), Sue Reams (NRCS)
Polk Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was formed in April 1966 and is overseen by seven elected Directors. Polk SWCD general powers, authorities, and governance come from ORS 568.550. In 2002 Polk SWCD was granted a tax base. The tax base allows Polk SWCD to
provide services to plan, design, construct, and monitor projects in order to maintain and restore soil and water quality. Polk SWCD has 4 full time employees, and 3 part time employees, along with interns and volunteers who work on and assist with many projects to meet the goals and objectives of the annual work plan.
presentations, and over 875 students who were educated through events and classroom lessons. Polk SWCD works with landowners in both urban and rural settings, schools, non-profits, and other agencies. Projects included working with school districts for events like Outdoor School, job shadowing, forestry planting, and career development. To find out more about programs, projects, and partners of Polk SWCD please read our newsletter or call the office.
Inside this report: Annual Work Plan
2
Financial Summary
2
Budget Committee
2
Board of Directors
3
USDA Service Center Staff
3
New Staff & Directors
3
Upper Rickreall WC
4
OWEB Small Grants
4
Easement Policy
4
Fish Trap & Haul
5
Water Quality
5
Message from the Chair
Focus Area
5
Girl Scout Gold Award
6
In the past year the Polk Soil and Water Conservation District has attempted to identify new and innovative ways to stretch the scarce conservation dollars available. The District Board spent several months developing a long range business plan to chart our direction over the next eight to ten years. With help from Oregon State University Extension Service, we
Claudia Chinook
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Native Plant Sale
6
Outdoor School
7
Polk County Fair
7
Annual Meeting
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Polk SWCD is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Oak Savannah Restoration Project
2012-2013 was a remarkable year for Polk SWCD, filled with many accomplishments. Staff provided landowner assistance to nearly 700 landowners, along with over 575 people who attended
reevaluated our priorities including youth outreach, urban conservation and partnering, looking for new ways to more effectively utilize the tax dollars and grant funding we receive. Our staff was invaluable in assisting the District Board to identify new strategies to wisely use natural resources and address conservation concerns.
David Simmons, Chair The District Board would like to thank all who donated products and time to further the District’s work this past year. We welcome your comments or suggestions on the District’s future.
Dallas, OR 97338 580 Main St. Suite A Polk Soil & Water Conservation District
Annual Work Plan
6th Grade Outdoor School (ODS)
Every year Polk SWCD’s Board of Directors develop and adopt an annual work plan stating the general and specific goals that Polk SWCD should be accomplishing each year. Polk SWCD’s annual work plan was approved by our board February 1, 2012 for the 2012-2013 year.
Polk SWCD’s 6th Grade Outdoor School was a double dose of success this year. Polk SWCD hosted two sessions of ODS totaling almost 200 6th grade students from 4 schools, over 50 high school counselors, and countless volunteers, presenters, and parent volunteers at both the 4-H center and Canby Grove Convention Center. Students took part in various lessons including agriculture, botany, archery, geology, forestry, soil science, and many more. Students not only learned about the great outdoors, they also made friends, participated in skits, sang songs, and had great meals. Outdoor School provided these students
The following are the general goals that Polk SWCD identified last year.
SWCD Technical Goal 1: Offer technical assistance and conservation planning to resource owners and communities directed toward the conservation & wise use of Polk County natural resources including ag water quality. Objectives: Technical Private, Technical Public, Ag Water Quality
SWCD Education Goal 2: Provide education and outreach related to natural resource issues within Polk County.
with a great opportunity to connect and learn about nature and the outdoors, in a hands-on learning environment. For many students it was their first time reeling in a trout, holding a snake, shooting a bow, and even making a smore, while still learning about outdoors in the best setting imaginable. The interactive lessons and outdoor setting makes for a memorable learning experience. ODS would not have been possible without all of the teachers, volunteers, grants, donors and donations, and professionals that dedicate their time to help educate the youth of Polk County. Polk SWCD
thanks each individual who was involved in making Outdoor School such a huge success this year.
Luckiamute Watershed Council, Rickreall Watershed Council, and Natural Resource Conservation Service to promote outdoor education and conservation practices to the public. Polk SWCD and their partners did this through many interactive exhibits, educational presentations for all ages such as the wildlife youth education class, and the invasive species 30 minute workshop taught by Liz Graham. Polk SWCD also provided access and knowledge to the public
about the importance of maintaining our soil and water, and the programs and projects that Polk SWCD has to offer. Polk County Fairgrounds had a fair passport as well. The Polk County Fair passport encouraged youth to explore the fair and rewarded them prizes, helping promote, not only Polk SWCD, but all agriculture in Polk County.
Objectives: Youth Education, Partner Education, Adult Education
Sue Reams from NRCS and Liz Graham from Polk SWCD teaching soils to 6th grade students.
Polk County Fair
SWCD Operations Goal 3: District operations will be effective, economical, and efficient to meet legal and grantor requirements. Objectives: Fiscal Management Operations, Statutory Operations Requirements, General Operations
Financial Summary
Budget Committee Members
All SWCD Funds (Includes General Fund, Outdoor School, Building Reserve Fund, Whip & Agency Fiscal Funds)
Polk SWCD Members
Public Members
Linda Marquardt-Sutton
Phil Walker
Revenue
$737,919.22
David Simmons
Bernie Faber
Expense
$466,700.01
Nathan Slaven
Rudolph White
Ending Balance
$271,219.21
Doug Wyant
Jim Castle
Jim Buckovic
Forest Peck
Chad Woods
Clifford Baker
Frank Pender
Tom Thompson
Ending Balance of Each Fund SWCD General Fund
$180,426.73
Outdoor School Fund
$15,869.74
Building Reserve Fund
$72,984.81
WHIP & Agency Funds
$1,937.93
Ending Balance of all funds $271,219.21
Polk SWCD’s budget is reviewed by a Budget Committee consisting of seven Directors and seven Members of the Public. The budget is presented in May and a Hearing is held in June. Contact Polk SWCD for more information on the committee or for information about becoming a budget committee member.
This year’s Polk County Fair was themed “Farm Fresh Family Fun”
The 2013 Polk County Fair was a success. Polk SWCD partnered with the Polk County Fairgrounds, Ag First, Glen-Gibson Watershed Council, Greater Yamhill Watershed Council,
Annual Meeting Last year’s Annual Meeting was held on August 23rd, 2012 in the John Grey Hall of the 4-H Center, Last year’s meeting featured donated items from local producers. Over 180 people attended the meeting, enjoying live music by the Old Time Fiddlers. The silent auction helped fund scholarships and district projects. All of the goods in the silent auction and food for the
People enjoying locally grown banquet at Polk SWCD’s Annual Meeting
The auditors have not yet completed a final audit of all district funds. The final report will be available by February 2014 Page 2
Polk SWCD Annual Report
banquet were donated by local producers. The meeting covered Polk SWCD’s Annual Report and shared the District’s accomplishments for the past year.
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Polk SWCD Annual Report
Girl Scout Gold Award for Habitat Enhancement Dallas High School senior Keely Scherzinger came to Polk Soil and Water Conservation District (Polk SWCD) in April 2013 looking for a project for her Girl Scout Gold Award. The Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting, is a seven -step project (identify an issue, investigate it thoroughly, get help and build a team, create a plan, present the plan and gather feedback, take action, and educate and inspire). After brainstorming with Resource Conservationist Liz Graham, who became her Project Advisor, Keely decided to do a habitat enhancement project. Keely focused on providing bird
houses for native birds and the removal of English ivy, an invasive plant choking out native vegetation along the western most portion of the City of Dallas’ Rickreall Creek Trail System. Keely, and her team of volunteers, put in over 200 hours of work to build and install bird houses as well as remove ivy off of trees along almost 7 acres of riparian area. Her project complimented projects by both the City of Dallas (Phase 4 of the Parks & Recreation Trail Development) and a Polk SWCD small grant to do riparian restoration in the same area.
Polk SWCD Board of Directors If you are looking for opportunities to volunteer, or complete a Gold Award or Eagle Scout Service Project, contact the Polk SWCD to brainstorm your possibilities!
Keely cutting invasive English Ivy.
Claudia Chinook: An Educational Display She started as a wire frame, was covered in spray foam, fiberglass, and then painted. She developed into a big, beautiful Chinook, standing a whopping 14 feet high and 29 feet long. 6th graders learning about Watersheds with Claudia Chinook. Claudia was built in 2003 by the Rickreall Watershed Council and given to Polk SWCD in 2010. Claudia was built over the course of four months.
The inside is big enough to hold 7-8 adults. Inside Claudia’s cavernous mouth and body is a painted mural that includes a complete life cycle of the Chinook, along with paintings of other fish, animals, and plants that can be found in a healthy watershed.
Over this past year she visited many locations to educate the public. Here are some of the places you may have seen her: Alien Days in McMinnville; Albany Farmers Market; Portland River Fest; Cascade Locks; Polk County Fair Annual Salmon Summit in Kennewick Washington.
For more information on Claudia or to rent her please contact Polk SWCD at 503-623-9680.
The 11th Annual Native Plant Sale was held February 15th and 16th, 2013. The Polk SWCD works with nurseries to sell locally sourced native
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plants at a reduced price. Before the sale 68 pre-sale orders were filled, and 75 additional orders were filled during the sale. Polk SWCD offered 80 different native species to landowners, and sold over 11,000 plants in total. Proceeds from the sale benefit teachers and students through scholorships to further their education in natural resources. The plant sale would not have been possible without the hard work of volunteers, staff, and directors.
Nathan Slaven — Zone 3 / Secretary nathan.slaven@polkswcd.com Linda Marquardt-Sutton — Zone 1 / Treasurer linda.marquardt-sutton @polkswcd.com Doug Wyant — Zone 4 doug.wyant@polkswcd.com
David Simmons — Zone 2 / Chair david.simmons@polkswcd.com
Jim Buckovic — Zone 5 jim.buckovic@polkswcd.com
Chad Woods — At-Large / Vice Chair chad.woods@polkswcd.com
Frank Pender — At-Large frank.pender@polkswcd.com
USDA Service Center Staff
Polk SWCD Board of Directors (Left to right): Doug Wyant, David Simmons, Nathan Slaven, Jim Buckovic, Linda Marquardt-Sutton, Frank Pender, Chad Woods.
Marion-Polk FSA
Polk SWCD
Marion-Polk County FSA Office
Phone: 503-623-9680 Fax: 503-623-3489 580 Main St. Suite A, Dallas, OR 97338
Phone: 503-399-5741 Fax: 503-399-5794 650 Hawthorne Ave. SE, St 130, Salem, OR, 97301
Karla Sanders — Interim District Manager karla.sanders@polkswcd.com Ext. 110 Debbie Miller — Office Manager debbie.miller@polkswcd.com
Ext. 101
Marc Bell — Resource Conservationist marc.bell@polkswcd.com Ext. 103 Liz Graham — Resource Conservationist liz.graham@polkswcd.com Ext. 107 Lucas Hunt — Stewardship Forester lucas.hunt@polkswcd.com Ext. 104 Sawyer Finegan — Outreach Coordinator sawyer.finegan@polkswcd.com Ext. 113
11th Annual Native Plant Sale Polk SWCD hosts an annual native plant sale to encourage Polk County residents to plant natives. As opposed to ornamental or non-native plants, which have the potential to become invasive, native plants are suited to thrive as part of a healthy ecosystem here in Polk County.
Polk SWCD is a subdivision of state government administered by seven locally elected directors, who serve without pay for four year terms. Five directors represent landowners from each of the geographic zones in the county and two at large directors represent the entire district. Directors meet monthly to administer the business of Polk SWCD. The Directors donate hundreds of hours on behalf of the residents of Polk County and its Natural Resources.
Tom Wilson — District Clerk clerk@polkswcd.com
New Staff and Directors Since last annual meeting Polk SWCD has welcomed many new staff members and District Board members. Staff
Janelle Huserik— County Executive Director janelle.huserik@or.usda.gov Ext. 114
Lucas Hunt — Stewardship Forester
Debbie Pothetes — Program Technician debbie.pothetes@or.usda.gov Ext. 111
Karla Sanders — Interim District Manager
Beverly Schmidt — Program Technician beverly.schmidt@or.usda.gov Ext. 100
Sawyer Finegan — Outreach Coordinator
Tom Wilson — District Clerk Directors
Scott Nieman — Farm Loan Manager Scott.nieman@or.usda.gov Ext. 113
Nathan Slaven — Zone 3 / Secretary
Stuart Butsch — Farm Loan Officer Stuart.butsch@or.usda.gov Ext. 115
Doug Wyant — Zone 4
Linda Marquardt-Sutton — Zone 1 / Treasurer
Lora Surmeyer — Farm Loan Program Tech. Lora.surmeyer@or.usda.gov Ext. 116
Ext. 108
NRCS Phone: 503-623-5534 Fax: 503-623-3489 580 Main St. Suite A, Dallas, OR 97338
Lucas Hunt
Sawyer Finegan
Karla Sanders
Tom Wilson
Tom Finegan — District Conservationist tom.finegan@or.usda.gov Ext. 109 Sue Reams — Soil Conservationist sue.reams@or.usda.gov Ext. 114
District employees Lucas Hunt and Liz Graham put together native plant orders. Polk SWCD Annual Report
Billy Burr — Accounting Specialist billy.burr@wa.usda.gov Ext. 112 Page 3
Nathan Slaven
Linda MarquardtSutton
Doug Wyant Polk SWCD Annual Report
Rickreall Watershed Management Strategies Assessment (WATERS): Data analysis for this project was completed last fall; a final report was submitted to the City of Dallas shortly thereafter. The collected data had proven to be a useful tool as the City works with the owner of the area around the reservoir to determine longterm management objectives and strategies. Large Woody Debris Placement Phase I: Directional felling of trees into Rickreall Creek by BLM Mary’s Peak Resource Area and Hancock
Forest Management will be completed by October 2013. Phase II: Trees needed for 9 structures near confluence of North and South Forks of Rickreall Creek have been felled and decked. Ground-based placement will be completed by October 2013. Funded via OWEB small grant and federal challenge cost share dollars. Phase III: 600 trees will be acquired beginning fall 2013 from BLM lands through summer 2014 from USFWS lands at Baskett Slough. Trees will be decked at sites a lo n g t he u pp e r Ri ckr e al l i n preparation for helicopter placement in 54 different structures above the
Fish Trap & Haul reservoir during 2015. Funding is being sought through OWEB restoration grants and BLM cost share agreements. Skid Creek Fish Passage Improvement: Rock weir placement to build up plunge pool below lowermost culvert on Skid Creek. Funds being sought through OWEB small grant program. Summer 2014 construction. To learn more or for information on the Fish Ladder study or Fish Pillow projects, contact Lucas Hunt at 503-623 -9680 x104.
through these organizations. The projects target riparian restoration, improvements to water quality or quantity, wildlife habitat improvements, and removal of invasives. Polk SWCD acts as the ‘keeper of record’ for the team. Polk SWCD had four small grant projects active in the 2012-2013 year. These projects all provide significant improvements to the overall watershed health especially improving riparian land, as well as mud and manure
management. Upcoming projects will further progress toward placing large woody debris structures in the Rickreall Creek and a continuing partnership to increase native plant species diversity near Camp Tapawingo. In order to be eligible for a grant through the Polk SWCD, landowners must attend a 1st step workshop. Contact the office for more information about upcoming workshops and assistance opportunities to find out if your project qualifies for funding!
Easement Policy Development The Polk SWCD has seen a growing interest in easements over the last year – yet even now, the SWCD does not have an official position or policy on holding easements. An easement is an agreement between a landowner and agency which can take many forms including direct ownership but also allows the landowner to sell certain land usage rights to a third party agency. Conservation groups often buy
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Reservoir. Data collected each trapping season show an increase in total numbers of returning fish (see Figure below). While the numbers of returning male and female coho have remained relatively proportional over the past four years, the population of returning jacks has increased dramatically. Most adult coho spend 2-6 years in the ocean; however some sexually mature after a shorter time and return to their natal stream to spawn early. These earlyreturners are called “jacks” (males) and “jennies” (females, very rare). According to Sportsman’s Club President Jason Dunkin, one explanation for the
unexpected increase in jacks could be the 2010 rescue and transport of over 2150 coho fry found trapped in pools below the dam. These fish would have likely returned as adults during the 2012 season. 80
Coho passage by year
70
Male
60
Female 50
Jack
40 30
20 10
0 2009
2010
2011
2012
Middle Willamette Water Quality Characterization Project
OWEB Small Grants Polk SWCD is part of the Middle Willamette West Small Grant Team, which receives $100,000 every two years from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB). The team which includes Yamhill SWCD, Benton SWCD, the Luckiamute Watershed Council, the Greater Yamhill Watershed Council, Glen Gibson Watershed Council, and Rickreall Watershed Council, accepts grant applications for up to $10,000 quarterly on behalf of landowners
Since 2009, the District has worked in collaboration with the Polk County Sportsman’s Club and other partners to improve fish passage around Mercer Dam. These partners include Hancock F o r e s t M a n a g e m e n t , R i c kr e a l l Watershed Council, City of Dallas, and Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife. Constructed in 1949, the dam is an impassable barrier that isolates 11 miles of spawning habitat in the Upper Rickreall Creek. Currently, returning coho salmon and cutthroat trout are c o l le c t e d be lo w t h e d a m an d transported via truck to release sites in several streams above Aaron Mercer
Number of fish passed
Projects in the Upper Rickreall Watershed
development and access rights from landowners ensuring high value habitat i s a ll o we d to e n d u re o u ts i de conventional real estate market pressures. The Polk SWCD is currently investigating the policies of respected regional organizations such as the Greenbelt Land Trust, McKenzie River Trust and the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde to build our own method of evaluating opportunities to
At the request of the Local Advisory Committee, the Polk SWCD partnered with seven different agencies and organizations including Benton SWCD, Marys River Watershed Council, Luckiamute Watershed Council, OWEB, the Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of Agriculture and Western Oregon University to begin monitoring water quality in the Middle Willamette in 2011. Final field sampling for this project ended in May 2013.
Five river systems at eight locations across Polk and Benton counties were monitored the first year. Adding locations along Soap Creek and the Little Luckiamute, replacing monitoring along the Tum Tum River, increased the monitoring program’s scope to six total river systems and nine sites during the second year. Muddy Creek, the Luckiamute River, North Fork Ash Creek and Soap Creek were selected river systems for the second year. This project was designed
to develop a baseline understanding of the river systems’ health and agricultural streams and trends throughout the year. Final data analysis reporting levels of bacteria, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, pH, temperature, turbidity, and conductivity will be available in the coming months after being processed and added to public record databases by the Department of Environmental Quality.
Middle Willamette Water Quality Management: Focus Area conserve priority natural within the county.
resources
Easement sign concept. This one is used by Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
Polk SWCD Annual Report
Since the summer of 2012, Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has been developing the Focus Area Concept to target small watersheds to prevent and control agricultural water quality issues state wide. ODA charged SWCDs to select a local area. Focus areas are selected based on significant agricultural water quality concerns, partners already working with
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landowners, and/or the local capacity to work in the area. In Polk County, Ash Creek was selected as the focus area. In the past year, Polk SWCD has distributed over 500 mailings about Agricultural Water Quality Regulations, held two workshops aimed to benefit Ash Creek landowners, and begun working with interested landowners. What the “Focus Area”
designation means for landowners along Ash Creek, particularly the North Fork, is this: Polk SWCD will provide technical and financial assistance targeting landowners with a lack of vegetation on Ash Creek and its tributaries.
Polk SWCD Annual Report