Tillamook County Local Work Group Meeting

September 18, 2007 Tillamook Service Center

[MINUTES]{.underline}

The meeting was called to order by Mitch at 10:15 a.m.
Self-introductions followed. Those in attendance were:

Ken Vial, ODA CAFO Rudy Fenk, Tillamook SWCD

Mitch Cummings, NRCS Ray Monroe Tillamook SWCD

Bob Pedersen, NRCS Dee Robinson, NRCS

The minutes of the August 03, 2006 regular EQIP meeting and August 30
2006 Air Quality Sub-committee were reviewed Minutes were approved as
written.

[Tillamook County EQIP for 2007]{.underline} -- Eight Water Quality
contracts were approved and funded for a total of \$660,829. Three Air
Quality contracts were approved for \$124,426. Five CNMP's were
developed for a total of \$27,000. Mitch explained the process for
allocating and distributing the funds at the local levels for the EQIP
program. The EQIP Status Report for Tillamook County which covered the
years 1997 -- 2007 was reviewed. There may be some changes coming in
2008 for the EQIP program with the introduction of the new Farm Bill.

[Closing signup date for FY08 EQIP]{.underline} -- October 5, 2007 for
the first round and second closing is October 19th. All applications
should to be submitted by the first round date in order to be ranked for
the FY08 funding. If there are funds left then the second date (October
19) will be used to complete the fund obligations. There was a
discussion as to the total EQIP Contract amount limit -- currently set
at not to exceed \$100,000 per contract. Group consensus to keep the
cost-share amount the same for 2008.

[No separate funding was set aside for FY08 CNMP
development.]{.underline}

[2008 EQIP Criteria:]{.underline}

[National Criteria:]{.underline}

1.  Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in
    reductions of non-point source pollution, such as nutrients,
    sediments, pesticides, or excess salinity in impaired watershed
    consistent with TMDL's where available as well as the reduction of
    groundwater contamination and the conservation of ground and surface
    water resources?

2.  Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in
    reduction of emissions, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides
    (NOx), volatile organic compounds, and Ozone precursors and
    depleters that contribute to air quality impairment violations of
    the National Ambient Air Quality Standards?

3.  Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in
    reductions in soil erosion and sedimentation from unacceptable
    levels on agricultural land?

4.  Will the treatment you intend to implement using EQIP result in the
    promotion of at-risk species habitat conservation?

[State Criteria:]{.underline}

1.  Will the treatment to be implemented using EQIP result in helping
    the ag operation to address resource concerns subject to local,
    county, state or federal regulations or permit requirements?

2.  Will the treatment to be implemented using EQIP result in ag
    operation progressing towards higher CSP Tier level eligibility by
    contributing to the implementation of a resource management System
    according to NRCS specifications? (That is, does the treatment
    result in an RMS to be fully applied on part or all of the ag
    operation.)

3.  Will the treatment to be implemented using EQIP result in direct
    benefits to declining habitats of T&E or candidates species of
    concern (including sage grouse)?

4.  Will the treatment to be implemented using EQIP result in direct
    benefit of a 303(d) listed stream segment in the direct drainage of,
    or upstream of a 303 (d) listed stream segment? (Related to local
    S.B. 1010 Plan)

5.  The applicant has an existing conservation plan proposing the
    treatment to be implemented using EQIP.

[2007 Tillamook County Resource Concerns]{.underline} -- these concerns
will be used for ranking applications.

1.  Is there 60 or less days of manure storage at the operation?

2.  Is there 61-90 days of manure storage at the operation?

3.  Is a 35 foot buffer used along open watercourse where no manure is
    applied?

4.  Is the animal confinement area 60 or less feet from an open
    watercourse?

5.  Has a soil test been taken within the last 5 years?

6.  Are livestock fenced out of open watercourse?

7.  Are there 45% or more poorly drained soils on the operation where
    manure is applied?

8.  Completed Conservation Records book?

9.  Is there a recent Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) for
    the operation and does the CNMP meet minimum required elements for
    ODA?

Keith asked if there was any way to simplify the record keeping process.
Mitch will look into that. The Conservation Records book is in the
process of being revised at the national level, and they are looking for
suggestions from the field.

Rudy asked if there was any funds available for the District to hire a
part time person to work with the landowners to educate them on proper
record keeping. Mitch and Bob felt this would be valuable as an
educational opportunity if this person would teach them, not do it for
them.

[Local Criteria for 2007 Funding Pool (\$50,000): CNMP
Development:]{.underline}

1.  Has the CNMP met the ODA deadline of December 30, 2006?

2.  Is the CNMP for only existing CAFO animals (not for expansion) or
    previously non-permitted operations?

3.  Is there 200 or less mature animals?

4.  Have soil tests been taken within the last 5 years?

5.  Is there a current EQIP Application on file at the NRCS office?

[The Cost-Shared Practice list for EQIP 2007]{.underline} - will be
basin-wide for all three counties (Clatsop, Columbia, and Tillamook).
Cost-share rates will be based on Average Cost (not to exceed). Certain
practices will be based on a Fixed Flat Rate. Need to add conservation
practices for odor control that allow for incentives. If anyone sees any
changes that need to be made, please contact Mitch.

[Funding Pools]{.underline} --

1.  CNMP (current need is \$50,000)

2.  Surface and Ground Water Quality/Improvement (Remainder allocation
    amount)

3.  Air Quality Management and Implementation (will work through the
    practices needed and then set an amount needed for funds)

[Air Quality Management Study]{.underline}:

Waste utilization practices

Area of 2-mile radius from the center of town

Feasibility for practices used for odor control

Greater utilization of the methane digester

Air Quality sub-committee: Charlene Troost, SWCD member, other
representation.

[WHIP in Tillamook County]{.underline}: currently 2 projects in
Tillamook County. Very little input from the local level was allowed for
this program over the last two years. Current discussion within the
agency is to turn the funds over to the local level, to be implemented
much the same as the EQIP Program. We will need to use the local working
group to implement the WHIP program, set up ranking criteria, etc. WHIP
projects do not have to be on agricultural lands. Mitch distributed a
copy of the NRCS Oregon WHIP Program State Plan for 2006-2007.
Recommended using the EQIP cost-share list for the WHIP program as well
as a starting point, and taper to WHIP needs. Mitch will work with Keith
on setting up a sub committee to develop the details for implementing
this program.

[Local Tillamook Work Group Representatives for the North Coast Basin
Local Work Group]{.underline} will be: Rudy Fenk, Jim Worledge, either
Charlene or Catherine from ODA, and possible ODFW rep. depending on
availability.

[Conservation Security Program]{.underline} -- Mitch explained the CSP
program. Select watersheds in each state are eligible each year with an
8-year rotation. CSP rewards landowners that are practicing good
conservation on the land. Good record keeping and soil samples are a
must to be eligible for CSP. Landowners need to get their record keeping
in order now to be eligible when our watersheds are selected in the
basin. More information will follow.

An EQIP questionnaire was distributed to gain input on local resource
concerns.

Meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Dee Robinson/ Mitch Cummings