Big or Small Ideas

by Laurie Zeller, CD Bureau Chief

Ideas – we all have them, but how many of them actually gain traction? Those of you that set your sights on what you want to do are capable of amazing things. Regional water systems get built, rivers are restored, land is restored after fires and floods, trees get planted, erosion is managed, pollinator habit is improved, cover crops are planted. For every problem, conservation districts seek common sense solutions. Some ideas are big and seem unsurmountable (but aren’t), and some are small. Big or small, all your ideas that come to fruition add to the collective and when you take a step back to appreciate what is being done around the state, I hope you have a feeling of pride in your success and that just leads to more success.

Last month, we launched the first in a monthly series of webinars as outreach to conservation districts in an attempt to keep us all connected during this crazy time of disconnection. New employee orientation, topics of importance to conservation districts, idea share with CD employees creatively carrying out conservation projects, open meetings, etc., are planned in the upcoming months.

The first in the series covered records management for conservation districts. As a governmental entity, local records are of interest to historians, archivists, and genealogists so certain notification requirements apply to conservation district records. 

Chris Evans, Lewis and Clark CD, shared a story where keeping old 310 files paid off in a federal investigation of fraud involving a 310 applicant. She advised that while the retention schedule allows the disposal of 310 records after a period of time, it may be important to keep them permanently. Some on the webinar suggested providing assistance to conservation districts needing help getting started, so plans are being considered to provide this.

I am sure many of the district participants left feeling as I did – a little overwhelmed.  One of the most important things I learned, was that any record over 10 years old, had to go through a disposal process, which in many ways makes your task easier. You go through your old boxes or files, list the contents on the disposal forms, and send them off to the required reviewers. They will let you know if they are interested in them. If not, they can be discarded.

See the Records Management Seminar article below for links and more information. 

MACD recently informed conservation districts of an opportunity to seek reimbursement for COVID related expenses. This may include updating old computers or other equipment for remote working, costs associated with meetings that you would not otherwise have, and may other qualifying expenses. Conservation districts that are interested, should contact their counties to let them know that your district will be seeking reimbursement to make sure you get the timing right. The next application cycle begins September 8, which will cover expenses already incurred from March to September 1. The next cycle will be in November. After you check in with your county, you can purchase the equipment if you haven’t already, submit your expenses, and the county will reimburse you after they have been paid. If you have any questions or if you run into questions from your county, contact Rebecca at MACD or Laurie Zeller at DNRC.

Personnel Management Part 2 Guideline

by Karl Christians, CD Specialist

This month we encourage you to review the 10-minute Guide on Personnel Management part 2. Please share with your board members so they can not only receive a little training on personnel. I mentioned previously, but want to mention it again, share with not only the whole board, but for sure the supervisory board member. Be sure they understand the Annual Leave and Sick Leave computations. This is easy to make a mistake if you do it manually so an extra set of eyes can be very beneficial!    We have sample timesheets in excel that can calculate for you, however the errors usually occur when carrying that information to the new time sheet. This guide can be found here and on our website under the documents and webinars page! If you need help with anything, please let me know!  If you have questions, feel free to contact us.

Admin & 310 Grants: Reminder to get those grants signed and returned so we can get you the funding!   

Montana 2020 Floodplain Resource Seminar 9/14-17/2020

by Jason Garber, 310 Permitting Coordinator

^{Photo: Jason Garber, Sun River flooding}

The Montana 2020 Floodplain Resource Seminar is taking place virtually September 14-17. Districts who wish to attend can find the agenda and the registration links below. There is no registration fee. This seminar is a great opportunity for Districts to learn about all topics related to floodplain management, from permitting to flood resilience. 

Agenda: http://floodplain.mt.gov/ (click the link in the banner at the top of the page)

Registration: https://app.mt.gov/cgi-bin/confreg2/index.cgi?CONFERENCE_ID=8186&ACTION=INTRO 

First Quarter HB 223 Grant Award Recipients 7/15/2020

by Linda Brander, CD Specialist

Deer Lodge Valley Conservation District - $7700.00

Beavers provide tremendous ecological benefits to watersheds but are often considered a nuisance. The Deer Lodge Valley CD, Clark fork Coalition, Defenders of Wildlife, and the National Wildlife Federation have formed a partnership to implement a pilot project. The project will test and demonstrate conflict resolution methods for beavers in western Montana watersheds.They will also use the study to educate 300 people.

View the YouTube video created by Will McDowell that demonstrates the outcomes that the initial round of 223 funding accomplished with the beaver management project. View the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux6Pf6hJOrg [youtube.com]

Lewis & Clark Conservation District - $3730.00

This project will identify channel migration zones for Elk Creek. It will also provide for enhanced analysis of reaches of the Sun River that are determined through the current CMZ mapping process to be "high risk." The product will be a CMZ map and report describing channel activity, risk of future avulsion and will make recommendations based on this information.The report and map will help the CD, partners, and public make decisions about riparian infrastructure, and activities occurring near the stream so that funds for future projects can be used most wisely. The Sun River Watershed Group will also be looking into Channel Migration Easements to help landowners in high-risk areas.This effects landowners along Elk Creek and the Sun River, including the communities of Augusta (364), Simms (354), Fort Shaw (280), Sun River (124), and Great Falls (58,876) as well as those who rely on the roads, businesses, and infrastructure in this region.

Sheridan County Conservation District - $10,000.00

The purpose of the project is to connect Conservation Districts (CD) with resources that will enhance their ability to preserve, protect, and restore watershed and community health. These resources include not only knowledge gained through relevant trainings – which could include leadership development, soil health, conservation planning, 310 permitting, grant writing, or project planning and implementation, to give just a few examples – but also connections made with other event participants and coordinators from across the state. CD staff and supervisors who use this funding for their professional development will directly and indirectly benefit hundreds of people and thousands of acres within their districts through their increased skills, knowledge, and ability to provide technical assistance to landowners.

Records Management Seminar 8/25/2020

Presenters: Jodie Foley & Chris Evans

Jodie Foley works for the Montana Historical Society as an oral historian and manuscript archivist. She serves on the Local Government Records Committee and the State Records Committee.

Chris Evans is the administrator for the Lewis & Clark Conservation and has worked there for 21 years. She has extensive experience in records management and was one of the team members who helped revise and update Schedule 9.

The main highlights of Jodi’s presentation was best practices of records management, Montana State Record Laws, tips on getting control of a district’s records, and rules governing electronic records. Seminar participants also learned about valuable electronic and human resources available to them. A copy of Jodie’s power point is attached here Jodie Foley Presentation.

Chris discussed how records management saved the day when she was called to testify on a 310 permit in a federal district court in Florida. Her ability to retrieve the old 310 permits saved the day.  Chris also indicated that it took over a year to get a handle on records management at her district. A copy of her power point is attached here Chris Evans Presentation. We will let you know when the seminar is placed on YouTube.

The new version of Schedule 9 is not on the Secretary of State’s website at this time, so it is included as a word document. You can use this Schedule 9 to get started but once it gets placed on the website, that is the document you should always use. We will notify you once the Secretary of State uploads the new Schedule 9. 

What Makes a Great Space to Conduct Business From Your Home

by Mary Hendrix, CD Specialist

Can you work from home? In the shadow of the Covid-19, we continue to adjust our daily personal lives and that extends to our work environment, too. Many of us are working remotely from home conducting the day-to-day operations of our employers.

But what makes for an efficient and effective work environment at home? Many of us cleared a flat surface (kitchen table) where we can establish headquarters! I know I did before I thought of the long term possibilities of companies allowing for more remote work in the hopes of keeping folks safe and to affect a better life-work balance for their employees. So I thought it was time to think about creating a space that embraced a new future of employment and return the kitchen table to its intended purpose ... a gathering spot to enjoy meals with the family!

A good article from the balance on the items you may need for your home office can be found here.  

Sailing Away From the Competition 

by John Adams August 7, 2020

Congratulations to CARDD Administrator Mark Bostrom, whose sailing crew Dark Horse Racing, aka "2020 R2AK Team High Seas Drifters, " hoisted the Ram's head trophy last week after besting a field of 15 boats at the annual Wild Horse Island Regatta on Canyon Ferry Reservoir. Next up for Dark Horse Racing is the 2020 Montana Sailing Championship & Montana Cup Regatta. Best of luck to you, Mark!

Addendum: "Unfortunately, we only mustered a 3rd at the Montana Cup." - Mark Bostrom