by Laurie Zeller, CDB Bureau Chief

Happy 80th to Wibaux Conservation District and Sheridan County Conservation District  

In 1939, Montana passed a law that allowed citizens to form conservation districts to manage conservation issues locally. Wibaux Conservation District (originally Wibaux Soil Conservation District) and Sheridan County Conservation District (originally Reserve Soil Conservation District) were the first to form on January 15, 1940.  Wibaux CD was technically first with their certificate filed at 4:00 p.m. with Sheridan County Conservation District a minute later at 4:01 p.m. In a bit of fun, a Sheridan County Conservation District supervisor said that his conservation district was actually first, but when Wibaux Conservation District’s application came in, it was laid on top of theirs and processed first.  Regardless, for 80 years, these two conservation districts have quietly worked to conserve soil and water, and to make their communities a better place to live. Certainly their work exemplifies what the legislature had envisioned in 1939 when the conservation district law was passed.

^{(Photo: Hominy Thompson shack, Sheridan County, Montana, 1937.)} 

This is what an award winning cowgirl / CD supervisor looks like.

Stevie was Miss Montana, a school teacher, and a dairy and beef cattle producer. She is also an active Cascade Conservation District supervisor. Congratulations, Stevie.

^{(Photo: Stevie Newman receiving Montana Cowgirls’ Heritage Award.)}

Interested in how to ask for money for your conservation work? 

“Most of the greatest social movements on earth were powered purely by an idea and people’s belief in that idea,” Harvest Development. Check out this 16 minute TED talk.  http://harvestklb.com/

You probably know this, but just in case, IRS has a new W-4 Form.

The IRS revised the Form W-4 to align with federal tax-law changes.  Current employees DO NOT need to submit a new Form W-4 and taxes should continue to be calculated using the most-recent Form W-4 on file. However, a new Form W-4 must be submitted if you were hired on or after January 1, 2020, or if you choose to change your withholding. 

The IRS provides FAQ’s regarding the new 2020 Form W-4.

Question:

Do conservation district supervisors still fill out nominating petitions signed by 10 qualified electors?

No, this form was replaced by the new election laws passed over the last few legislative sessions. Supervisor candidates now file an oath of candidacy form, which can be obtained from the Secretary of State’s website or from your local election administrator. Make sure to file as a non-partisan, non-paid candidate. There is no filing fee for conservation district supervisors.

Reminders:

January 31: Renewable Resource Project Planning grants due

February 29: 310 surveys due to Jason Garber (even if you haven’t done any 310s in 2019)

March 9: Deadline for filing for open supervisor positions.

April 22: District Development, HB223, Education Mini-grants due

May 1: CD Administrative grants due

May 15: Reclamation and Development grants due

May 15: Renewable Resource grants and loans due 

Visit the DNRC Grants and Loans page for more information.

Things You Should Know Before You Sign a Surface Agreement

Energy Summit  February 13, 2020  Billings, MT

by Linda Brander, CD Specialist

Frank Falen, attorney from Cheyenne, Wyoming has more of 20 years of experience in energy law.  He has helped many groups, including eastern Montana ranchers negotiate equitable surface agreements with oil and gas companies.

Frank will help you understand your property rights as agricultural producers, Montana laws that impact energy development on private lands, and liability issues that could affect your family business.   

To register go to  http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/cardd/conservation-districts/energy-summit 

NEW 2020 Addition of Stream Permitting Book Released 

by Jason Garber, Stream Permitting Coordinator

The Montana Stream Permitting Guide that was first published in 2001 has recently been revised and updated. The manual is designed to provide guidance to Montana Conservation District Supervisors in making decisions for 310 permits and assisting land owners in considering the best options for working in and around streams, lakes and rivers. The purpose of the Montana Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act (310 Law) is to ensure that projects will be carried out in ways that minimize impacts to stream or river functions, or adjoining property.  While this guide can serve as an educational tool intended to be shared with landowners for more informed decision making, we want to emphasize the importance of working with local and state resource and permitting specialists early on in the process to help identify causes and most appropriate solutions for landowners and our shared water resources.

Read the full article here

Responsibilities of and Tips to be an Effective Chairperson 

by Karl Christians, CD Specialist

_{^{(Do you remember this card from Monopoly?)}}

Congratulations!!  You have been elected as the Chair of your Board.  Annually, supervisors shall  elect a chairman for their members. You may also elect/appoint a vice-chair, treasurer and secretary. Whether you willingly accepted the position or drew the short straw, I will cover a few of the responsibilities that come with being the Chairperson as well as a few tips. 

Read the full article here

Community Outreach Presentations: Promoting your CD Message

by Lance Clark, CD Specialist-Miles City

A 20 – 60 minute presentation at local civic, business and fraternal organizations is a great way for your conservation district to provide public information and education on your issues, programs and natural resource concerns.

If you have not added public speaking engagements in your communication and marketing outreach, consider adding six to twelve speaking events (presenting one or two times a year helps elevate your presence and visibility) in your local communities.

Read the full article here  

Recycling and Waste Management: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

by Lance Clark, CD Specialist-Miles City

As Conservation District administrators and board of supervisors develop their Annual Plan of Work and Long - Range Plans, it is important to not overlook the value and benefit of having a Recycling and Waste Management Program.  Instilling value in community residents having pride of good use of resources, repurposing and extending the shelf life of our land-fills, is a conservation minded approach! 

Read the full article here

DNRC Pollinator Grant 1/2 Year Review

by Mary Hendrix, CD Specialist

_{Photo Courtesy of Sarah Klaus, Lake CCD}

The DNRC Pollinator Grant is in its inaugural year and we are excited to have funded one great grant to date and another one in the works. 

Lake County Conservation District was awarded for their Pollinator Initiative and Statewide Training grant. Heidi Fleury, Lake CD Administrator, hosted an Area 5 training on January 21st in Ronan (picture above). She plans to bring her expertise to the remaining 5 areas in Montana in the next month or so.

Gallatin Conservation District submitted a Pollinator Education Project grant and the contract will be awarded shortly. This grant will fund the updating and printing of the Montana Pollinator Project or MPEP (the awesome pollinator folder chock full of information some of you may still have in your offices). This is the #1 requested educational item  according to the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and is currently out of stock. 

Funding is still available for Pollinators FY 2019-2020. We look forward to hearing about spring projects and educational outreach on pollinators and flowers!

Information:  Pollinator grant  Expense Sheet 

Contact: Mary Hendrix at 406-444-4253 or by email at mary.hendrix@mt.gov.