The Geauga Soil & Water Conservation District met on July 12, 2022 at 7:30 am at the Patterson Center in Burton.
All agenda items approved including the agenda for 7/12/2022, minutes from 6/14/2022 meeting, Treasurer's report, electronic sales tax paid for June , and payments for expenditures, purchase orders, vouchers & bills.
Rebecca O’Neill, Program Specialist, ODA-DSWC Program Specialist mentioned having a program on watersheds & that the top issues for polluting are urban stormwater & fertilizer. They hope to bring these issues to the attention of the public.
Jonathan Mauk from USDA-NRCS mentioned they had received about 40 contracts that were approved for the EQIP ( environmental quality incentives) program. He needed signatures from the board for the approval. They were all signed. Some of the contracts included requests for forest , herbaceous weed, wildlife & invasive species management along with pollinator planting. There were 6 approved CSP (conservation stewardship) program applications as well.
Gail Prunty, Education/Communications Specialist had a successful teacher workshop on the wonders of watersheds, soil life & climate change. She also mentioned the Fair will be starting a day early because of the bi-centennial celebration. The focus will be on the history of agriculture.
Mike Tadaj ,Technician, spoke about a timber harvest issue in which people cut down trees for profit without calling a specialist first to identify which trees can be cut. This is especially a problem in the Amish community. They’re working to educate the community.
Carmella Shale, District Director/Engineer mentioned they will be moving to new offices on July 29th & will be closed for a short time. She asked for a motion to approve hiring someone to scan a lot of their paperwork & motion was made & approved.
GSWCD is also working with communities on a program called ESID. (Erosion Special Improvement District) This is an expansion of a program originally designed for Lake Erie residents but has now been expanded thanks to GSWCD & the County Auditor. It helps those who need financial assistance by assessing their taxes for funding of this program. The community needs to show there’s an interest by having at least 1 person come forward & applying. It’s been successful In Munson & now others are coming forward.
Meeting was adjourned at this point.
Next Board Meeting is Aug 9th 2022, 7:30a.m. Geauga County Admin Bldg 12611 Ravenwood Dr, Claridon Twp.
Ellen Comeau LWV Observer
Reviewer: Gail Roussey
The League of Women Voters of Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.