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Wise resource management: soil, water, animals, plants, air A newsletter of the Blacksmith Fork (Gordon Zilles, Chairman) and North Cache (S. Bruce Karren, Chairman) Conservation Districts Edited by Charles R. Batten
FROM THE CHAIRMAN By S. Bruce Karren, Chairman North Cache Conservation District If you have an interest in Cache County's natural resources, a local work group has been organized to gather public comment. Representatives from the Farm Service Agency Cache County Committee, Bear River Resource Conservation & Development, local, state and federal government officials, agricultural and other organizations are participating. This work group, spearheaded by the North Cache and Blacksmith Fork Conservation Districts, will evaluate the current conditions of Cache County's natural resources and dominant land uses, identify natural resource concerns and goals, and prioritize areas where our conservation efforts are most needed. This assessment will become the foundation on which our future plans and projects will be based. By using the local work group, we will be able to utilize federal and state funds to help in our conservation effort. We want to hear your recommendations on where the natural resource problems are and how we can work together to solve them.
NEWEST APA Michael J. Arambel's dairy farm near Hyrum became Cache County's second agriculture protection area March 9, when the County Council approved his application. Mike sees urban development encroaching around him, and wants to be protected from nuisance lawsuits by neighbors who find there may be some less than pleasant ingredients in the rural environment.
WATER POLICY TALKS CONTINUE The Cache County Council, at its March 23rd meeting, requested a detailed budget for a proposed Department of Water Resource Management. The budget is to be developed by the Water Policy Advisory Board, and will be considered at the County Council's April 27th meeting. The new department was recommended by the Water Policy Advisory Board. The Council's request for a proposed budget came at the end of a discussion during which Councilman Larry Anhder, chairman of the Water Policy Advisory Board pointed out that the decision on any Bear River water storage projects will be made by Salt Lake and Weber counties and the State, not by Cache County. In Anhder's view, if Cache County does not buy into any storage project, it leaves the way open for the state legislature to change the current allocation, reducing Cache County's share of unappropriated water, and increasing the share of Salt Lake and Weber Counties. At its March 16 meeting, on a motion by Noble Erickson, the water advisory board agreed unanimously to recommend that it be disbanded and that a Department of Water Resource Management be established, to be funded by a one-mill tax levy. The department would be directed by an 11-member Resource Management Board consisting of a Cache County Council member (living outside Logan), a Logan City elected official, a Logan City-recommended board member, one recommended by the Cache Mayors Council, one at large business person, two irrigators (one from north end of valley and one from the south end, or one large and one small), one recommended by a farm organization, one from the Conservation Districts, and two at large members selected from the general citizenry.
ANIMAL WASTE COMPOSTING STUDY LAUNCHED A regional composting facility that would convert animal wastes to "animal resources" has been proposed, to be located in Cache Valley. Its goals would be to provide an economical option to livestock producers in handling their animal wastes, and to meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act as it applies to livestock production. Doug Cone, who for the past five years has been zone coordinator for the northern region of the Utah Association of Conservation Districts, is investigating the cost and feasibility of the project. Doug notes that there are 27,000 head of beef cattle and 54,000 dairy animals to Cache County. They produce 360 cubic yards of animal waste each day - enough to fill a pit 36 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 9 feet deep. Doug estimates that $1.5 million of federal and private funds have been allocated in the Little Bear River watershed alone to alleviate the problems of waste handling and water quality. Based on that historical record, more than $15 million would be required to develop animal waste facilities for the remaining dairies in the county - a figure that is not likely to be attained in the near future. A regional compost facility would reduce the number of expensive waste systems that would be needed, provide a service to farmers, and provide valuable soil conditioning products to farms, orchards, gardens, and other users. The Blacksmith Fork CD Board of Supervisors is sponsoring and advising Doug on the project. For more information, contact Doug Cone at 258-1256.
IOWA'S RIGHT TO FARM LAW STRUCK DOWN Utah's "right to farm" law is similar to those of most other states. Yet a cloud drifted over it when the U. S. Supreme court upheld an Iowa Supreme Court decision that struck down that state's right to farm law. The Iowa court reasoned that protecting farmers from lawsuits reduces the value of neighbors' properties. It is a "taking" of the neighbors' lands, without compensation, and therefore unconstitutional. Farmers whose lands are in Agriculture Protection Areas must continue to obey state and federal environmental regulations, but so long as they do, they are protected from nuisance lawsuits for odors, noise, or dust that they may produce in their farm operations. Ralph Grossi, of American Farmland Trust says that the court's ruling proves that stronger measures are needed to protect the right to farm. Such measures include tax incentives, zoning, and easements. --USA Today, Feb. 23, 1999.
GLICKMAN OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FUTURE OF U.S. AGRICULTURE "Agriculture is a critical part of our heritage," Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman told the delegates at the annual meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation in January. "How we treat agriculture reflects on who we are as a nation. As agriculture goes, so goes the rest of our nation." Agriculture must be more productive, more efficient and more globally competitive, he said. Glickman said the future of agriculture is inextricably linked to the global economy. "Agriculture cannot survive without free access to markets. The rules of the game must be transparent, easily understandable and universally accepted," he said. "We will continue to open markets for U.S. agriculture."
ACTION BY THE BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS
AG TAG The new agriculture license plate that was authorized by the legislature in 1998 is now available. The price of the plate is $25, and the proceeds from its sale will go to the UACD Education Committee for use in statewide community education projects.
NRCS STAFF IS OVERLOADED, SAYS AGENCY CHIEF NRCS Chief Pearlie Reed told the House agriculture appropriations subcommittee recently the agency is being asked to take on too many problems. He cited livestock wastes, climate change, and water quality issues. Furthermore, 10,000 dams built around the country for flood control and other purposes are nearing the end of their 50-year life spans and are filling up with sediment. "It is just a matter of time," Reed said, "before major safety and health problems will erupt if nothing is done." James Lyons, Undersecretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and the Environment, also testified on the $1.4 billion NRCS budget for fiscal 2000. He voiced concern about the loss of 1,000 agency field personnel. Lyons also reminded the panel of the FY 1999 shortfall of $25 to 28 million that will occur in mid May when funds for programs such as CRP and EQIP will run out. Congress needs to provide additional resources so NRCS can provide technical assistance to deal with the animal feeding operations (AFO) strategy, which calls for the development of nutrient management plans. At current staffing levels, said Lyons, there is no way NRCS could fulfill its obligations if thousands of the 450,000 AFOs across the country request nutrient management plans. In recognition of the NRCS overload, the NACD, at its annual meeting in February, approved a resolution in support of a national workload analysis, now underway by the NRCS. The resolution encourages the full involvement in the workload analysis by conservation districts and their employees.
COST-SHARE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR CONSERVATION BUFFERS Tired of hearing agriculture blamed for today's environmental woes? Here's your chance to make a positive statement. Conservation buffer areas along field edges and waterways help diversify the look of your farm or ranch while adding beauty, recreational opportunities, and land value. Conservation buffers improve and protect groundwater and surface water quality, reduce erosion on cropland and streambanks and provide protection and cover for livestock, wildlife and fish. Area landowners may be eligible for USDA cost-share assistance to implement conservation buffer practices on their land with some programs providing land rental payments for areas planted into buffers. Buffer practices include filterstrips, field windbreaks, shelterbelts, grassed waterways, and riparian forest. Buffers trap excess fertilizers and pesticides, filter nutrients from animal waste systems, and reduce soil loss to wind and water erosion. The use of conservation buffers demonstrates agriculture's strong commitment to wise land stewardship. For more information on conservation buffers, contact your local USDA Farm Service Agency or Natural Resources Conservation Service at 1860 N. 100 East, North Logan, UT 84341 or phone 753-5616. -- Jon Hardman, NRCS
NIELSON APPOINTED HEAD OF NRCS TEAM Todd Nielson, District Conservationist at the NRCS Bonneville office in Provo, now heads the Bridgerland Self-Directed team as well. The Bridgerland team includes the NRCS offices at Logan, Tremonton, and Randolph. The Bonneville team has received national recognition for its work. The Bridgerland team, headquartered at Logan, and the Bonneville team, headquartered at Provo, will continue to operate as separate teams, though both will be responsible to Nielson. Todd is a native of Ephraim, Utah, and earned his degrees in range management and public administration at Brigham Young University. He has worked for the NRCS in various field and management positions in Fillmore, Heber City, Roosevelt, and Provo. He and his wife, Susan have three children, and live in Orem.
UACD PRODUCES GUIDE FOR CITIZEN PLANNERS Proposals for subdivisions should be evaluated to determine the potential impact on existing irrigation canals. Where canals and laterals are used for storm water drainage, that use should be addressed in a city's general plan and storm water control plan and any such use should be in accordance with a written agreement with the affected irrigation company. The agreement should include provisions for maintenance of the canals and liability for any adverse effects that might occur. These and many more suggestions are found in the 1999 Citizen Planner's Guide to Subdivision Development. Subjects include discussions of planning tools and the subdivision process, and sections on the protection of drinking water, ground water, wetlands, critical habitat, the control of noxious weeds, and many other considerations. The book was published by a partnership of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, the Utah Association of Conservation Districts, the Governor's Rural Partnership, and other resource management agencies. The book can be purchased from the Utah League of Cities and Towns.
LOCALLY LED CONSERVATION TOPIC OF MEETING "The American public must be our partner," according to UACD President Randy Greenhalgh. Therefore, information and education is one of the top goals of the UACD leadership. The second goal is to provide financial support for the work of the member conservation districts. Greenhalgh spoke briefly at the annual meeting of Zone 1 of UACD, consisting of the supervisors of the five conservation districts in Cache, Rich and Box Elder Counties. Ray Loveless, UACD's water quality specialist also spoke at the zone meeting. He outlined the provisions of the Clean Water Action Plan, particularly as it relates to animal feeding operations. He also described the concepts of the Total Maximum Daily Load. Loveless emphasized the importance of developing a water quality control plan in order to restrain the federal government from taking control.
NEW ZONE COORDINATOR NAMED Lydia A. (Penny) Trinca has been appointed zone coordinator for UACD Zone 1. Penny will receive her Master of Science degree this summer from Utah State University, with a major in Agricultural Systems/Sustainable Agriculture. Her research project was on-farm composting of dead dairy cows. Penny's Bachelor's degree was in Environmental Science from the University of Arkansas, with a minor in agricultural waste management. Penny's experience includes research and teaching at USU, editor of fact sheets and newsletters for USU Extension, data manager, and fisheries biologist. She currently owns and operates a five-acre family farm and organic market garden, and raises and trains registered Welsh ponies. She teaches children proper riding and handling techniques. Penny will work with the five conservation districts in Cache, Box Elder and Rich Counties. We welcome her aboard May 10.
GLEANINGS Vice President Gore announced the Animal Feeding Operations Strategy at a White House ceremony on Tuesday, March 9. The AFO Strategy is available in its entirety at: http://www.epa.gov/owm/afo.htm New regulations call for storm water permit requirements for all construction sites between one and five acres, and storm water permits for small municipalities. The Utah Farm Bureau has appointed a multidisciplinary advisory team and hired Mark Petersen, of Fruit Heights, as director of water quality programs. Mark will work directly with individual farmers and ranchers to help agriculture do its share to improve the quality of the state's waters. -- Farm Bureau News The Salt Lake County Water Conservancy District and the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District have a memorandum of understanding which provides for cooperative development of the mutual interests of the two districts in a Bear River water development project. Both districts estimate the water will be needed by the year 2015. -- SLCWCD Update Report, Winter, 1999 Nearly 80 % of our fruit and vegetables and more than half of our dairy products are produced in rapidly urbanizing counties. In the U.S., the cost of food is only 11% of personal income, down from 25% in 1960, according to a study at the University of Minnesota. According to the EPA, 70 percent of the waterways in the United States are impaired by agriculture. But Sean Blacklocke, a Clemson University agricultural researcher, recently found that urban runoff was the source of pollution in South Carolina. Blacklocke concluded from his study that nutrient pollution in the state came from people, not agriculture.
NEARLY 100 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COMPETE IN UTAH ENVIROTHON In the second year of the Utah Envirothon, organizers say they expect double the number of teams of high school students to compete. The Envirothon, a natural resource competition, will be held in Cache County again this year, with approximately 12 teams sponsored by Utah conservation districts. Team members will compete for first place-a trip to Arcata, Calif.-where the Utah team will compete against 46 other teams from the United States and Canada. The Envirothon competition tests high schoolers' written and hands-on problem solving skills in five areas: soils, forestry, wildlife, aquatics and a current environmental topic- this year, wildfire management. "We hope the Envirothon gives high school students a solid scientific understanding of our natural resources, on which we depend for all our food and fiber," said Gordon Zilles, chairman of the Blacksmith Fork CD. The Utah Envirothon is sponsored by the Utah Association of Conservation Districts, Campbell Scientific, Inc., and the Utah Chapter of Soil and Water Conservation Society. --Jennifer Hines, UACD
ROSS JACOBSON MOVES TO STATE 4-H OFFICE Ross Jacobson is now State 4-H Youth Development Specialist, at the USU Extension Service office. He has accepted that position after serving 21 years as Cache County's 4-H program director. Ross was instrumental in starting this newsletter in 1994, when it was the Blacksmith Fork Conservationist. He has continued to be primarily responsible for the printing, with the Extension Service paying the cost. Ross also served as coordinator of the Blacksmith Fork Junior Board since it was organized in 1994, using a USU student as advisor. We in the districts have appreciated Ross's valuable contributions, and wish him the best success in his new job.
DEFLECTORS URGED FOR IRRIGATION SYSTEMS Cache County Road Superintendent Joe Kirby has asked that irrigators install deflectors on their wheel lines in order to avoid wetting down county roads. Reasonably priced deflectors that are easy to install are readily available at any irrigation equipment dealer. Water on the roads often causes extensive damage, Kirby says. "The water combined with the pressure of vehicle tires creates potholes that fill with water, which eventually breaks down the subbase of the road," Then the road must be torn up and a new subbase built. Kirby points out that at $70 an hour for a grader and an operator, this can run into quite a large cost for the taxpayers. Furthermore, water on the road often causes slippery spots, and an unexpected stream of water that suddenly hits the windshield of a motorist can be equally dangerous. No citations for water damage to county roads have been issued, and Kirby says he does not want to begin issuing them. But Utah Code Section 72-7-303 makes it a Class B misdemeanor to allow water to escape and damage a public highway.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS The Quality Growth Act of 1999 was approved by the recent session of the Utah Legislature. The Act sets up a Quality Growth Commission, which will administer the McAllister Critical Land Conservation Fund, also set up by the Act. The fund will be used to purchase conservation easements or for similar measures to preserve farmland and open space. In other action, the legislature appropriated $100,000 for the recently established Center for Landscape Water Management at USU. The money will be used to research, and distribute information about the efficient use of water for lawns and gardens, highway landscaping, golf courses and other similar areas. For the third session in a row Evan Olsen's local option sales tax bill failed to be approved by the legislature. The bill would have allowed counties, on approval of their voters, to approve a sales tax to provide funds for the purchase of conservation easements to preserve farmlands and open space. At the federal level, a bill (S. 333) to reauthorize the Farmland Protection Program, (FPP) at $55 million per year through 2002 has been introduced in Congress. Originally funded by the 1996 farm bill at $35 million, the FPP has run out of money. The FPP has helped to protect more than 120,000 acres of farm and ranch lands from sprawling development. The new bill would allow such nonprofit organizations as land trusts and wildlife organizations to apply for matching grants to protect prime farmland.
ALPHABET SOUP Here are some of the acronyms used in this issue:
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