kodiak soil and water conservation district 518 marine way ...€¦ · kodiak soil and water...

Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District 518 Marine Way, Suite 206

Kodiak, Alaska 99615 Phone (907) 486-5574

Fax (907) 486-5586

Memorandum to: DNR/NRCDB Shana Joy, Executive Director, NRCDB Department of Natural Resources Office of the Commissioner From: Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District Subject: Annual Report of Accomplishments Date: September 15, 2009 This represents the annual report of the Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District for fiscal year 2008 (encompassing the dates between July 1, 2008 and June 31, 2009) as required by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and the Alaska Association of Conservation Districts. The Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District assists land managers and supports cooperators throughout the Kodiak Archipelago (map on page11). Despite funding and personnel limitations we were able to serve our community by coordinating and implementing programs for the conservation and use of soil, water and related resources throughout our District. Highlights of this year include continuation of our Invasive Plants Program with development of the Kodiak Cooperative Weed Management Area and increased involvement of groups such as the City, Borough and Tribal entities. Partnership with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Resource Conservationist was effective and productive with mutual support for activities including trail and forest regeneration surveys. District expenses for FY08 totaled $60,980.68 Regular expenses include: staff wages, office and storage space rent, phone, internet access, vehicle maintenance, insurance, computer maintenance and support, and membership fees for the Alaska Association of Conservation Districts (AACD) and National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). Travel costs were a large portion of our budget this year including two AACD meetings and assistance to the Envirothon team. Income sources included: State grant 08 and NRCS contract 08, we also had funds remaining in our AACD/IPP (weeds) grant, US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) weeds grant, and completion of a trails grant through FWS and the Kodiak Island Borough (KIB). A budget spreadsheet is included on page 12.

Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District - Annual Report– September 2009 All photos by Blythe Brown unless otherwise noted.

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Board members and staff during this time period: Charles Dorman, Chair thru 12/31/08, Supervisor 1/1/09 - present Chris Flickinger, Supervisor thru 12/31/08, Chair 1/1/09 – present Nathan Mudd, Supervisor Erin Whipple, Supervisor Ken Warner, Supervisor, resigned 6/25/09 Todd Dorman, Alternate Bob Mudd, Alternate Blythe Brown, Noxious & Invasive Plants Coordinator and Acting Manager Andy Schroeder, District Manager, 4/13/09 – 6/15/09 Stephen Bodnar, GIS Technician Corinne Ferre’, MASST, Administrative Assistant, hired 3/2/09 Programs and Projects The Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District conducted its annual assessment of progress toward completion of the 2008 plan of work. Accomplishments are organized under Goals as originally approved in our Annual Work Plan for FY2008 dated September 10, 2008. Some of these goals were reorganized and revised to be incorporated into the NRCS 08 Work Contract which was approved March 24, 2009 therefore Goal numbers may or may-not correspond to NRCS Deliverable numbers on other documents and/or reports. Goal 1 Conservation Planning and General Assistance and Outreach

Develop and mail a landowner services informational flyer and newsletter. Mailing list and contacts will include underserved clients and cooperators. Contents of products will include services (such as NRCS and Farm Bill program information) available to cooperators, rural/remote villages, State grazing leaseholders, Native Corporations and other land managers. Obtain conservation plan training in the field and in the office through NRCS. Assist NRCS to identify resource concerns on State grazing leases, non-industrial private forests and other land areas throughout the District. Provide assistance to cooperators and landowners through on-site visits and office or phone consultations. Attend conservation training at AACD conferences. Attend local meetings (such as Kodiak Environmental Working Group, Sustainable Kodiak, Borough Assembly, etc.) to identify and share information on resource concerns throughout the District. Publicize our projects and available services through local newspaper articles, posted fliers and radio interviews.

Assessment:

The District has successfully completed many of these goals. We developed and printed a newsletter which was mailed to all of our cooperators. It was also available to the public at our Crab Fest booth. Crab Fest is Kodiak’s annual Memorial weekend festival which draws thousands of people each year. The District partnered with the local Island Trails Network to staff an informational booth during this three day event. District staff attended local meetings and partnered with Koniag, Inc., Woody Island Tribal and NRCS to visit two remote villages

where we met with underserviced clients and cooperators. We also encouraged village and tribal entities to become new cooperators. We signed one new cooperator during FY 08. Although staff did not obtain “official” NRCS conservation plan training they did work closely with the Resource Conservationist and received some on-the-job training identifying resource concerns. District staff assisted cooperators Nathan and Bobb Mudd during their Abattoir open house event. The Mudds received a Conservation Innovation grant through NRCS to develop the Abattoir. They hope to improve conservation and sustainable grazing practices on remote lands by providing on-site processing of the animals. Approximately 100 people attended the event which included a PowerPoint presentation, a tour of the facility and samples of the product.

Ouzinkie community members map locations Larsen Bay tribal council, Koniag, Inc. and of resource concerns during a public meeting. KSWCD staff discuss watershed issues at the Larsen Bay reservoir.

District cooperator and board member, Nathan District staff and board members from across Mudd, talks with Jane Eiseman, Kodiak High the state discuss issues and share ideas at the School FFA advisor, and Franci Havermeister, AACD Fall 2008 conference. AK Division of Agriculture, at the Abattoir open house.


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Goal 2 Erosion Control / Wetland Protection Continue to partner with other agencies and trails groups to address ATV/ORV erosion related concerns at various locations possibly including but not limited to: along the Kodiak road system, Saltery Cove, Summit Lake, Portage trails and underserved clients in Kodiak villages. Update the ATV/ORV study for Kodiak Conservation District trails and identify new ATV and non-ATV trail erosion areas of concern. Attend Island Trails group meetings and help organize and promote workdays to encourage natural resource stewardship, erosion and wildlife habitat awareness among trail users. Complete existing grant commitments to restore and protect wetlands along the Summit Lake and Portage trails. Install trail hardening materials and construct a bridge. Develop flyer for landowners and user groups describing trail use and natural resource concerns.

Assessment:

The District continues to partner with other agencies and trails groups. Our on-the-ground trail project examples from past years have trained individuals and strengthened community participation of trail specific groups. This year we assisted the NRCS Resource Conservationist by assessing resource concerns along two 17b easements, Island Trails Network (ITN) and private contractors will complete the actual trail repairs.

We submitted recommendations to the Kodiak Island Borough during their Comprehensive Management Plan process and now continue to assist them during their Borough Trails Management Plan process. This new Borough trails plan should negate the need for a separate District study on road system trails.

The Summit Lake grant commitments were completed with the assistance of ITN and volunteers.

The original author of an out-of-print trails and salmon habitat brochure has obtained funding for a reprint; they consulted the District to ensure we did not duplicate efforts. We plan to work together for a new brochure that will incorporate additional information concerning other affected habitats.

Trail conditions along the Anton Larsen to Sharatin Bay 17b easement. Photos by Andy Schroeder


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Goal 3 Watershed Planning and Water Quality Awareness, Protection and Improvement Review, enhance and/or expand on issues identified in the Kodiak Clean Lakes Watershed Assessment report. Research possibility of soil testing (nutrient management and pesticides) for homeowners adjacent to lakes. Coordinate with agencies and landowners (KIB, ADF&G, WITC, etc.) to research, identify and address water quality issues identified in the ATV/ORV Erosion Study and also possible new issues identified by a current Tribal (WITC) water testing project in the Womens Bay watershed.

Assessment:

District Manager met with Borough staff and the original author of the Kodiak Clean Lakes Watershed Assessment report. They discussed the report, resource concerns and possible projects. The Borough also loaned the District a box of historical documents to be reviewed for potential use in future projects or reports. Immediately after this activity, the District Manager resigned. We will revisit this Goal as funding and personnel allow. Goal 4 Pest Management / Invasive Plant Control

Provide leadership, coordinate with agencies, landowners, and land users to identify, locate, map and address invasive plant concerns throughout the District. Coordinate with NRCS and obtain required security clearance to allow District employees to update and maintain our ArcInfo/GIS database. Provide our updated and verified information to the AKEPIC database. Obtain NRCS Pest Management training and assist cooperators to complete their Pest Management Plans. Actively participate with Alaska Committee for Noxious and Invasive Plants Management (CNIPM) to share and learn more about pest management issues, surveys and control techniques. Travel and participate in relevant conferences and workshops (CNIPM, AACD, CWMA, etc.) to keep professional knowledge up to date. Facilitate the Kodiak Archipelago Cooperative Weed Management Area meetings. Encourage all land managers to become active participants in the Kodiak CWMA. Continue invasive plant education and information activities throughout the District. Including but not limited to: visits to the villages, displays at public events (ComFish, State Fair, etc.), presentations to groups (school, scouts, garden clubs, etc), and coordinating visits/classes/presentations by weed management professionals (such as UAF Pesticide certification, etc.). Seek other funding sources to continue and expand all aspects of pest management and invasive plant control throughout the District.

Assessment: The District continues to provide leadership for invasive plant management throughout the Kodiak Archipelago. Our weed maps are continuously updated as surveys are conducted and reports are received from land users and managers. We are active participants in the locally formed (Nov 08) GIS users group. This group allows agencies and GIS users to share expertise and databases for more accurate recording and mapping of invasive plants and other resource concerns.


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Computer security clearance documents have been submitted to NRCS but we have not received notice that they have been processed. The new (April 2009) District Manager submitted his required documentation electronically but he resigned before verification was completed. The district does not have an NRCS computer. Our GIS database was verified and submitted to AKEPIC. District staff has not obtained official NRCS Pest Management certification but we already have sufficient skills and knowledge to assist cooperators with their Pest Management Plans. We conducted surveys, answered questions about management options and identified specimens. In addition to continuing our weed surveys, invasive plant education and information activities constitute a large portion of our program. For the 2nd year in a row volunteers developed a new display for Alaska Invasive Weed Awareness Week at the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitors’ Center. And once again the display was so popular that the Refuge requested it stay up an extra several weeks. A volunteer also developed a new “native versus invasive plant” Bingo game which was very popular at Alaska Department of Fish & Games annual Salmon Celebration and the Kodiak Garden Clubs annual plant sale. All Kodiak area elementary schools are invited to the Salmon Celebration. This is an all day event with approximately 1,000 kids and chaperones circulating through educational activities. Our display and activity materials were also used by the Alaska State Parks Ranger at an afterschool program with the Native Village of Afognak. Two villages were visited through a partnership with Koniag, Inc. (also noted under Goal 1). Community meetings were arranged and in addition to our invasive species presentations partners presented information about Brownfields sites, NRCS services, fisheries issues and vision planning. Resource concerns were identified and noted on maps with contacts for follow-up visits. We keep up on weed issues and new management techniques by attending monthly CNIPM audio meetings and the annual CNIPM workshop. A poster summarizing our invasive plant program activities was presented at CNIPM and also displayed at local events such as the State Fair. Attendees at monthly CWMA meetings requested that the District continue to provide leadership service to the community. We have ten signed MOUs and several other active participants without signatures. Meetings were suspended during the busy field season, they will resume when participants return to town for the Fall and Winter. Lack of a District Manager and basic office support funding has hampered our ability to spend time writing new grant proposals and developing new funding sources. Currently, most of our time must be spent fulfilling requirements of existing grants and contracts. District staff arranged for visits by UAF Cooperative Extension Service agents for a Pesticide Applicators Certification class and a public talk about “Insects: Pests, Pollinators and Implementing IPM in your Garden”. We coordinated with local venues for meeting rooms, registered class participants, advertised the events and distributed class materials.

Linda Wilson, PhD. reported on hawkweed KSWCD arranged for Michael Rasy, UAF research at the annual CNIPM conference. CES, to visit Kodiak. Here he talks to an audience of Kodiak gardeners about “IPM in your Garden”

Volunteer, Rachel Nummer, plays invasive and Teacher and students puzzle over invasive native plant BINGO with kids at ADF&Gs species questions. Salmon Celebration.

Invasive plant BINGO was a popular activity Fisherman and bull thistle on Long Island. for kids waiting for parents at the annual Invasive species impact recreational and Kodiak Garden Club plant sale. subsistence activities.


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Goal 5 Cooperator Outreach and Education Attend AACD conferences, relevant NRCS training, seminars and workshops and other training that would benefit District operations. Travel reimbursement as appropriate for Board members and employees. Provide technical assistance to Kodiak High School natural resource classes and FFA Chapter. Assist and help sponsor the Envirothon team. Encourage participation of village schools in natural resource and Envirothon activities. Initiate a poster and/or speech contest. Participate with hands-on kids activities at the ADF&G annual Salmon Celebration. Assist schools and classes participating in Alaska Ag Day and Ag in the Classroom activities. Identify underserved forest and landowners within the KSWCD. Actively recruit land managers to become District Cooperators. Publicize meetings and hold an annual cooperators picnic, holiday gathering and/or public open house. Continue to support leaseholders on grazing lease issues. Work with State Division of Agriculture and NRCS in continued administration and use of six State grazing leases within KSWCD encompassing in excess of approximately 200,000 acres and 6 Cooperators. Promote cooperation between wildlife agencies, District cooperators and other land users. Properly register, create and maintain a Kodiak SWCD website.

Assessment: The Kodiak District continues many successful outreach and education activities. District

staff and board members attended the Fall and Spring AACD conferences where they participated in training sessions and presentations.

We provided technical assistance to the Kodiak High School natural resource classes and helped sponsor the Kodiak Envirothon. District staff and a cooperator prepared and conducted the Forestry station which included field measurements and test questions. The Kodiak Envirothon was used to help choose team participants for the State Envirothon competition. We contacted all Kodiak road system and village schools and the local home-school group with invitations to our poster contest using the National and Alaska Association of Conservation District’s theme of “Dig It”. This was the first year Kodiak District participated n the competition. Our 6th grade category winner was also a state winner, her poster has been sent on to the national competition. An announcement and photo were published in the local newspaper.

A District volunteer created a new game, invasive/native plant bingo, which was quite popular at the annual ADF&G Salmon Celebration and in classroom visits.

Alaska Ag Day and Ag in the Classroom 2009 activities included a piglet visiting six local elementary classrooms. Teachers, staff and children were all excited to meet the piglet which was donated for the day by one of our board members.

We hosted the first and assisted with the second Red Meat Marketing Conference sponsored by the State of Alaska Division of Agriculture. Cooperators and other interested parties attended the first session in Kodiak and the second session in Palmer. Guest speakers attended with topics including product and packaging research. Kodiak will host a third session in FY 09.

We held a cooperators picnic at a local State Park, which included local beef burger donated by one of our board members.

A domain name was identified and purchased but we currently have no funding or staff to create or maintain a website.

Kodiak High School Natural Science students Kodiak High School student prepares to compete in the Kodiak Envirothon. measure the DBH of a sitka spruce.

KSWCD Board members and winner of the Teachers, staff and kids were thrilled when a Kodiak and AACD poster contest for her age piglet visited Kodiak area elementary classes group. L to R: Ken Warner, Todd Dorman, for Alaska Ag Day. Charles Dorman, Erin Whipple, Olivia Anderson, Nathan Mudd and Chris Flickinger.

Omar Stratman, Kodiak SWCD, receives a gold Poster judging at the AACD Spring 2009 pan from Bob Jones, NRCS State Conservationist, Conference in Anchorage. Kodiak’s winning for 50 years of service to Soil and Water entry is the Earth with blue background.


9Conservation Districts (40 years in Alaska).

District cooperators and families enjoyed Public gathering information at our 2008 visiting and eating Kodiak beef despite the Kodiak State Fair booth. wet weather at the annual cooperators picnic. Goal 6 Administration / Management: office and KSWCD Operations

Provide public contact point (office and phones) for cooperators and others with resource conservation concerns. Maintain computer systems (including hardware and software updates, printers, plotter, etc.). Purchase and maintain other equipment for project use (such as camera and GPS unit, etc.). Coordinate office space with NRCS Resource Conservationist and NRCS Soil Survey Crew. Provide office space for Invasive Plants Project (rent room adjacent to NRCS suite). Provide KSWCD Board of Supervisors with necessary information to carry out our mission. Conduct monthly Board meetings, record minutes, handle correspondence, maintain financial records, submit reimbursement requests, pay bills, membership fees, maintain lease agreements, update inventory list, complete accomplishment reports and annual plan of work. Maintain accurate cooperator list and coordinate with DNR to organize supervisor elections. Advertise, interview and coordinate with AACD to hire employees. Coordinate projects and personnel (including employees, partners and volunteers). Administer existing grants and write new grants for continued activities. Lease storage space for ATVs, trailer, District truck and supplies (Mile .5 Bells Flats Road, Kodiak).

Assessment: The District terminated their rental agreement for office space in the Griffin building. We then consolidated offices within the NRCS suite in the Straut building. NRCS also consolidated their office and storage space to take advantage of a vacant room immediately adjacent to their main office. We now rent a room within the NRCS suite for our District “weeds office”, large printer and project supplies. An Administrative Assistant was hired through the State Job Services program MASST (Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training). This employee allowed our office to be open and


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available to the public for twenty-five hours per week even when we did not have a District Manager employed. Primary duties for the MASST employee are to track our budget and expenses using QuickBooks computer program. This person also provides basic support services to the Board and office such as compiling meeting documents, recording meeting minutes, faxing timesheets, refilling printers and the copy machine and ensuring that the rent checks are mailed each month. She has received training and experience which has increased her skills for future employment.

Kodiak Soil and Water Conservation District showing some known invasive plant locations (in yellow).


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Financial Report Actual expenditures July 1, 2008 – June 31, 2009

Funding source

Personnel Fringe Travel Supplies Contract Operations Total

NRCS 8 2,587.50 227.70 200.80 25.00 0 0 3,041.00

State 6 (15261)

3,739.50 1,003.17 565.00 0 0 17.90 5,325.57

State 9 (17261)

8,403.75 743.35 5,573.56 581.24 4,500.00 5,198.10 25,000.00

District Funds 192

1,403.00 123.47 316.16 0 0 1.19 1,843.82

FWS Weeds 082

15,007.00 1,332.46 555.60 0 0 16,895.06

IPP/ CWMA (9661)

3,311.75 296.09 402.65 0.18 0 0 4,010.67

IPP/City (96611)

1,038.00 92.20 696.91 1,037.45 0 0 2,864.56

DNR

0 0 0 0 0 2,000.00 2,000.00

Total 35,490.50 3,818.44 8,310.68 1,643.87 4,500.00 7,217.19 60,980.68 Actual Expenditures by Goal, July 1, 2008 – June 31, 2009

KSWCD Work Plan Goal

NRCS State DNR FWS, IPP, KIB, etc.

Total

Goal 1: Conservation Planning and General Assistance and Outreach

677.28 0 0 0 677.28

Goal 2: Erosion Control / Wetland Protection

505.92 0 0 0 505.92

Goal 3: Watershed Planning and Water Quality Awareness, Protection and Improvement

130.56 0 0 0 130.56

Goal 4: Pest Management / Invasive Plant Control

21.76 0 0 23,770.29 23,792.05

Goal 5: Cooperator Outreach and Education

1,705.48 6,138.56 0 0 7,844.04

Goal 6: Administration / Management: office and KSWCD Operations

0 24,187.01 2,000.00 1,843.82 28,030.83

Total 3,041.00 30,325.57 2,000.00 25,614.11 60,980.68


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Signatures ______________________________________________________________________________ Report prepared by Signature Date Blythe Brown, Acting District Manager ______________________________________________________________________________ Chris Flickinger, District Chair Signature Date ______________________________________________________________________________ Charles Dorman, District Supervisor Signature Date ______________________________________________________________________________ Nathan Mudd, District Supervisor Signature Date ______________________________________________________________________________ Todd Dorman, District Supervisor Signature Date ______________________________________________________________________________ Vacant, District Supervisor Signature Date

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