Message from CD Bureau

by Laurie Zeller, CDB Bureau Chief

Happy New Year Conservation Districts – The year 2019 was a banner year for conservation districts, and as we look toward 2020, I wanted to thank all my friends, co-workers, and CD leadership for unwavering commitment to serving the public in a common-sense and responsible way. This family of partners dedicated to supporting local leadership is the most effective way to manage any natural resource issue, whether that be fires, floods, river restoration, soil health, or just doing the daily business of managing the streambed and land preservation act. How we adapt and change to new issues and rise to new challenges depends on good communication as well as creative and energetic local leadership. This upcoming year is shaping up to be a good one!

January is the time to elect a chair.  The CD law says that a CD must annually elect a chair (76-15-313). Interestingly, it doesn’t mention other officers, but it does mention the chair. It makes sense that this occurs in January, but it can occur other months, as long as it is done annually. Most CDs will reelect other officers at the same time, such as vice chair, treasurer, and secretary.

Memorandum of Agreement Update – Well, there is not much to update because we are still waiting to hear back from USDA’s regional office about whether the edits suggested by CDs have been approved. We will keep you informed when that happens.

At the area meetings, CD supervisors told us they wanted to learn more about what other CDs do.  In a recent conversation with Jeff Pattison, Valley County CD supervisor, he mentioned that he stopped by the Gallatin CD’s meeting on his way to Helena for other business. He said he was amazed at the issues that they handled and the professionalism they had developed to address the public’s concerns. He was so impressed that he invited one of the supervisors, Mike Hansen, to Glasgow to participate in a 310 workshop. CD supervisors learning from each other is exactly what CDs said they wanted and this is a great example of how to make it happen. We appreciate Jeff’s efforts to reach out and appreciate Gallatin CD’s and Mike Hanson’s efforts to respond. We do best when learning from each other and this is a great example of CDs reaching out to each other. The Valley County CD will be hosting a 310 workshop on February 26th in Glasgow in cooperation with Gallatin CD and our bureau. If you want to know more, or want a similar workshop in your area, contact Jason Garber. We are in the process of developing a training plan, so voice your needs early so you get what you need.

Mileage rate for 2020 – The IRS just announced that the mileage reimbursement rate is 57.5 cents per mileage, down a half cent. This mileage reimbursement rate applies to supervisors and CD employees effective January 1, 2020.

Interesting article: See notes on CDBG, NRCS funding, SRF and others. Read "This Week in Washington" here

Reminders and deadlines:

January 9 through March 9: Open period for filing for supervisor positions up for election in 2020. Get your paperwork in.

January 15: Deadline for 223 grants, district capacity grants, and education mini grants. Conservation district money funds these programs, so take advantage of them to get your conservation plans underway. They can fund any activity that conservation districts are legally authorized to do. Contact Linda Brander, or any CDB staff members if you need ideas or help formulating your ideas.

January 15: Deadline for planning grants. This is your ticket to larger grants – contact Lindsay Volpe at (406) 444-9766 for more information

February 28: 310 surveys due to Jason Garber

March 3: Administrative grant applications will be sent to CDs. It seems too early, but it’s true! Contact Karl Christians for more information.

On-going: Pollinator grants are available on a first come, first served basis. Submit your application today!

Coming soon: Be on the lookout for applications for Renewable Resource Development grants, Reclamation and Development grants, and Watershed grants.

"We were told that we should accrue sick and annual leave only on hours actually worked. Is that right?"

No, that is not correct. Sick and annual leave should be applied to time a CD employee is in paid status, including holidays, or while taking sick or annual leave. Leave credits are not applied to hours worked over 40 in a week or when in a leave without pay status, however. Annual leave is credited as follows:

1 day to 10 years of employment, 15 days a year. For part time employees, this is prorated at .05775  x the number of hours worked.

10 years to 15 years, 18 days a year. For part time employees, this is prorated at .06925 x number of hours worked.

15 years to 20 years, 21 days a year. For part time employees, this is prorated at .08075 x number of hours worked.

20 + years, 24 days a year. For part time employees, this is prorated at .09225 x number of hours worked.

Sick leave is credited at 12 days a year, no matter how many years employed. For part time employees, this is prorated at .046125 x number of hours worked.

“I just noticed that I have probably more annual leave credits than I should be carrying on the books. What should I do?"

This is a good time to check your leave balances. The law allows you to carry two times what you can earn in a year. At the end of a calendar year, you must use the leave or forfeit it. If you can’t use the excess leave by the end of the year, you must make arrangements with your supervisors to use it by March 30. The law does not allow the CD to pay the employee for the excess leave, but provides opportunities to manage it so the employee does not have to lose it.

Energy Summit

by Linda Brander, CD Specialist

A conference will be held February 13 in Billings to help farmers and ranchers understand their property rights and land reclamation options when negotiating surface agreements with oil and gas companies, utilities, or wind farms.  A special thank you to Yellowstone Conservation District and the Lewis and Clark Conservation District for assisting with the local logistics and registration.  Save the date. Space is limited – agenda details to follow.

REGISTER FOR SUMMIT BY CREDIT CARD: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/energy-summit-things-to-know-before-signing-a-surface-agreement-tickets-87689661137 [eventbrite.com]

REGISTER FOR THE SUMMIT BY CHECK:  link at DNRC that has registration page and mailing address of the Lewis & Clark Conservation District, 790 Colleen St. Helena, MT 59601

Fillable Registration Form

AGENDA: Coming soon!

HOTEL RESERVATION:  Go to www.billingshotelmt.com [billingshotelmt.com], choose book now, check rate option and go to Promotional/Group Code. Group code is ESO220. If you want to reserve a room by phone, call (406) 248-7151.

Delegation of Duties

by Karl Christians, CD Specialist

The Chairperson is elected by the other board members to lead and accept responsibilities on behalf of the district board of supervisors; set the agenda; preside at meetings; appoint committees; assign responsibilities and orient new board members. Whether you have just been newly elected as the Chair or have been re-elected chair, these responsibilities are a hand full!  Now given the fact that districts usually have a number of projects, interests, or activities they are involved with, the duties can turn into a full-time job! Keeping track of these can be a bit overwhelming to the Chair. January and February is a perfect time to learn to delegate!!  I recommend the Chair delegate to each supervisor, new or veteran, a project or activity to oversee or manage. By doing this, it will give those supervisors a sense of purpose and ownership and continue to develop their leadership skills. In the districts I have worked with where the Chair has delegated duties, I have seen it develop those boards to become stronger and a more united board which in turn puts more common sense conservation on the ground!    

Is a Forestry and Tree Seedling Program Right for your CD? 

by Lance Clark, CD Specialist 

Photo source: DNRC Seedling Nursery

Montana Conservation Districts that are evaluating their Annual Plan of Work and Long Range Plan may want to consider adding and/or expanding the Forestry and Tree Seedling program.

A number of conservation districts have a Tree Seedling program by where they purchase seedling stock from the Montana State Nurseries out of Missoula and/or other nurseries.

If a Tree Seedling Program is a current or future conservation district program, a few questions to evaluate for your upcoming Annual and/or Long Range Plans are as follows:

Tree Seedling Sales: How Is Marketing Helping Your District Increase sales (quantity and $)?     Read the full article here

How is your CD's Youth & Adult Education Outreach Shaping up for 2020?

by Lance Clark, CD Specialist

Photo source: Flathead CD Kids Day

Now is the time to evaluate your Youth and Adult Education Outreach. Even if your Annual Plan and Long-Range Plan are already developed, you can amend both documents to strengthen your continuing education and professional development outreach. Here’s a few ideas from your fellow Conservation District Administrators. And, certainly there are a number of other activities, education modules, class room training and resources that you can utilize and/or add to this short list.   

Read the full article here

310 Updates

by Jason Garber, 310 Permitting Coordinator

• The 310 meeting that was cancelled in December will be rescheduled, stay tuned for further information.
• The template for 310 permit surveys will be sent out soon. Please try to have your 310 numbers returned to me by the end of February.
• Several districts have sent in their amended 310 rules, Thank you! Please try to have your rules amended by the end of February. Let me know if you have any questions.

Updated CDB Web Page

by Mary Hendrix, CD Specialist

Be on the lookout for an announcement early next week on "how to navigate the DNRC website to find the updated CDB page" followed later the same day with the launch of the updated page!