December 2003

675 U. S. Courthouse

Nashville, Tennessee 37203

Telephone: 615/277-2531

FAX: 615/277-2577

USDA Natural Resources Current

Conservation Service Developments

From the Office of the Tennessee

State Conservationist

NRCS

A

s we enter into the holidays, we like to reflect on the past year and

give thanks for our families, a bountiful harvest, and other blessings.

Yet, some may not think about the dedicated people at this time who

serve in a leadership role to take care of our resources so our land can remain

productive and so we can continue to enjoy a bountiful harvest and a quality

environment.

In Tennessee, we have been fortunate in that we have had many leaders, both

past and present, who have worked diligently in caring for our resources.

There are many leaders in the state who were actively involved in the early

days of conservation and even in organizing conservation districts. There are

also those who have served in leadership roles both in the State Association

(TACD) and the National Association (NACD) and who continue to support

conservation efforts. We would like to dedicate this issue of Current

Developments to these fine folks.

These leaders give freely of their time and serve unselfishly for all

Tennesseans and for the quality of life that our citizens enjoy. It is

appropriate during the holidays as we give thanks to also recognize these fine

folks for their leadership and for helping to conserve, protect, and maintain

our resources.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank each employee and

volunteer and our conservation partners for their work and contributions this

year, and I wish for each of you and yours...safe and happy holidays!

James Ford

State Conservationist

In This Issue....

 Page

Area 1 News 6

Area 2 News 7

Area 3 News 8

Friends of Conservation

 Award Winners 10

GLCI Meeting Highlights 2

RC&D News 3, 4

Safety 9

Upcoming Events 5
Current GLCI Meeting Highlights Developments

M

ore than 1,100 ranchers

and other conservation

leaders from all over the

Nation gathered in Nashville on

December 7-10, 2003, to focus on

conserving natural resources on the

nation’s grazing lands at the Second

National Conference on Grazing

Lands.

Attendees gained invaluable

knowledge on a wide variety of

topics ranging from conservation

easements and intensive grazing

rotations to tracking livestock

patterns through the use of GPS.

Overall, the conference provided

landowners information to help

them conserve and protect natural

resources on range and grasslands

throughout the country, while at the

same time keeping those lands

productive for cattle, sheep and

other grazing livestock.

“The fact that well over a thousand

people traveled to Nashville for this

conference is a clear indication of

the increased interest in grazing

lands,” said Natural Resources

Conservation Service Chief Bruce

Grazing Lands Conference Features Presentations By Successful Farmers and

Ranchers!

Knight. “Grazing is finally being

recognized as an important tool

to achieve conservation objectives,

rather than something that is bad

for the environment.

The National Conference on

Grazing Lands is sponsored

through the Grazing Lands

Conservation Initiative (GLCI), a

national coalition of agricultural

organizations, conservation

organizations and

government agencies

who recognize the

need to keep the

nation’s rangelands

productive, while

conserving their

resources for future

generations.

Proceedings will be

available from the

conference,

highlighting

presentations by over

175 speakers on topics

including wildlife

livestock interactions,

grazing and

endangered species, organic

dairying, over-wintering livestock,

grazing management on small

acreages and much more.

Individuals interested in receiving

a copy of the proceedings, or

interested in learning more about

GLCI can contact Monti Golla,

administrator of the GLCI at 979-

268-0980, or by e-mail at

grazinglands@cox-internet.com.
Current

Developments RC&D News

Since 1994, approximately 7500 students from three East Tennessee

counties have spent a day at Conservation Camp. “Conservation

Camp is truly a partnership project.” stated Roy Settle, RC&D

Coordinator for the Appalachian RC&D. It couldn’t happen without

the cooperation of the Carter, Johnson, & Unicoi Soil Conservation

Districts, NRCS and the myriad of other state, federal and local

agencies and the support of a few true volunteers. Add to that mix,

the planning, coordination and fundraising by the RC&D Council,

and the presenters who actually teach the students, and you have a

formula for success.”

A presentation by Brad Jones, the naturalist at Johnson City’s

Winged Deer Park, taught them “butterflies are tough because they

have to fly through high winds and predators,” said Seth Kiser, a

student from Happy Valley Elementary School.

This year’s camp had 19 stations, featuring presentations on recycling, soil conservation and water quality.

Students also learned about wildlife and waterfowl, aquatics, water quality and stream ecology, preventing

forest fires and timber management.

Presenters include officials from the Tennessee Valley Authority, the U.S. Forest Service and volunteers like

Roby and Mae McBride from the Washington County Ruritan Club.

Settle said the idea of the camp is to educate the next generation of “decision-makers” on the importance of

conserving and protecting our natural resources. “These children will be members of the planning commission

in 20 years,” he said.

Conservation Camp Educates Tomorrow’s Leaders

Conservation Camp is a fun-filled day of learning

activities for students.

The Buffalo/Duck River RC&D Earth Team Youth Group was

presented the 2003 Outstanding Youth Involvement Award at the

annual RC&D meeting in Columbia.

The group, consisting of 10 to 15 members, was honored for outstanding community service to the RC&D and their community.

The group has assisted with the maintenance of the Elephant

Sanctuary for sick, injured and retiring elephants for the past six

years. Their outreach efforts help secure local donations and create

additional volunteer support for maintenance at the sanctuary.

The group assists with RC&D sponsored workshops, such as the

Tennessee/Alabama Forestry Best Management PracticeWorkshop

and tour. They participate in conservation education events at

schools and help with the anual Farm/City Day program. They assist with

registration, set up testing stations, and serve as photographers at the State Envirothon and the Buffalo/Duck River

Regional Envirothon each year.

Their dedication is apparent throughout their local community. For the past three years, they have conducted the 12

Days of Christmas program providing gifts to needy families. This effort involves contacting school officials for the

names of families who need assistance, and raising funds to buy gifts for each individual in the family. Gifts are

delivered incognito at night for 12 days leading up to Christmas. They have also helped improve housing for the

elderly and families with low incomes.

“We are very proud of these young people for their outstanding service to the Buffalo/Duck River RC&D,” stated Len

Womack Jr., Council President. “They participate in projects that provide a significant benefit to the community.”

Buffalo/Duck River Earth Team Youth Group Receives Outstanding Youth

Involvement Award

Pictured left or right: Jena Stilwell, Adrianne Guzy,

Derek Englett and Krista Englett
Current RC&D News Developments

The Southeast TN RC&D Council and Area 3 TACD held their joint

annual meeting on November 13, 2003 in Dayton. Guest speaker, Larry

Blick ( Assistant State Conservationist, and RC&D Program Manager)

gave an update on RC&D activities across the state noting that two new

RC&D areas are in the formation stage. Phil Cherry, TACD Liaison,

gave an update on TACD activities.

The Southeast Tennessee RC&D recognized several people for their

outstanding support and assistance to the RC&D. Award winners were:

10 Years of Volunteer Service – George Miller & Roy Bledsoe

20 Years of Volunteer Service – John Lee Downey

Rex Moses Distinguished Service Award – Pete Jennings

Outstanding Council Member – Joyce Green

Environmental Education Award – Shorty Beaty & Chris Gass

Distinguished Service Award –- Alan Pigg USDA Forest Service, Atlanta

Outstanding Partnership Award – District 3 – TDA Division of Forestry

Volunteer of the Year – Amy Johnson

Special Recognition – Kathy Daugherty, Bill Dailey, Jerry Frady, Terry

 Gupton, Gary Moore, Randy Parnell, Dewitt

 Simerly, Fred Walker, Gloria York

Southeast Tennessee RC&D Award Winners

Earth Team volunteers completed

their 6th annual workday event at

the renowned Elephant Sanctuary

located in Lewis County. The

sanctuary provides a home for the

ever declining Asian elephant. Scott

Blais, Facilities Director for the

Elephant Sanctuary, provided the

group updates on the sanctuary,

including plans to construct an

Education Center, another elephant

barn, and a land expansion that will

allow the sanctuary to take in

African elephants.

Though the volunteers did not see

elephants, Mr. Blais shared stories

of the elephant’s progression,

noting that Tarra is hanging out

with her girlfriends and Winkie is

slowly learning to adjust to the

dynamics of an elephant herd.

Upon arrival, one of the youth

volunteers commented that he felt

like he was going to Jurassic Park

because of the enormously high and

thick steel fencing. The group finds

the work incredibly rewarding, just

knowing they play a small part in

giving these elephants a better life.

And that is why they paint – to lend

a hand and experience the

satisfaction that comes from

helping those in need.

Sharon Englett, Program Assistant

with the Buffalo-Duck River

RC&D, said “Volunteer work can

be a positive experience for young

people. They learn the sense of

satisfaction that comes from giving.

Additionally, volunteer work can be

sited on college applications,

resumes, and job applications.”

The Buffalo/Duck River RC&D

Council provided t-shirts for the

group of volunteers and treated

them to dinner.

Volunteers Assist at

Elephant Sanctuary

Photo above: Earth Team Volunteers paint the fence at the Elephant Sanctuary in Lewis

County.
Current

Developments

Upcoming Events

TACD Annual Convention February 29-March 2, 2004

Nashville Music City Sheraton

For more information go to

www.tnacd.org

NACD Annual Meeting February 2-5, 2004

Hilton Waikola Village, Hawaii

For more information, go to

www.nacdnet.org

State Envirothon April 28-29, 2004

Smithville, Tennessee

For more information, contact any

RC&D office

Father and Daughter

Promote Agriculture at

Career Crunch Event

Approximately 5,000 junior high

school students attended the career

day held by Chattanooga State

Community College on November

18 and 19th. NRCS, along with

other conservation partners like

Scott’s Farm Give-A-Hoot for Kids,

Inc, setup a booth to provide

information to students about

careers in agriculture.

Bill Dailey, District Conservationist

in Cleveland, not only had an

opportunity to talk to students

about careers in NRCS, he also had

a chance to work side-by-side with

his daughter Cathy, who is a senior

in Agriculture at UT Knoxville.

Cathy is an Ambassador for the

College of Agriculture and provided

students information about degrees

available in the College of

Agriculture.

Photo above, l to r: Cathy and Bill

Dailey at Career Crunch career day

Conservation Education & Outreach

The Cumberland County Soil Conservation District and USDA Natural

Resources Conservation Service, in partnership with the Cumberland

County Farm Bureau, participated in a county-wide Ag-in-the-Classroom

for third graders in September.

Farm Bureau sponsors the event each year offering a variety of

agriculture related tour stops including swine, food pyramid, sheep,

machinery, poultry, beef, dairy, fruits and vegetables, forestry,

environment, wildlife, soils, field crops, and bees.

NRCS and the Cumberland County Soil Conservation District set up a

soil tunnel for the soil station. This year’s theme was “Soil-We Can Not

Grow Without It”. Terry Lowe, District Supervisor; Lynn Carey, District

Administrative Assistant; Jake Watson, Student Trainee; and Chester

Bush, District Conservationist staffed the Soil Station and gave a brief

presentation to the more than 500 third graders who attended the event.

This was a hands-on event for the third graders who got to feel the sand,

silt, and clay soil textures. Students saw close-up the world of Edgar the

Earth Worm as they crawled through the soil tunnel, which was a big hit

with the students. Some of the teachers even got caught up in the

excitement and crawled through the tunnel.

Ag-in-the-Classroom in Cumberland County

Tennessee Envirothon has New Website

The Tennessee Envirothon has a new website - www.tnrcd.org

The site includes ALL study materials for Regional and State competitions

in Tennessee. The materials are either printable PDF files or website links.

The site also has general information and info on Regional Events, dates

and contact information. Prospective teams in counties not currently

served by an RC&D can send an inquiry from the site to be assigned to a

nearby event.
Current Focus on the Field - Area 1 Developments

Like most farmers in Shelby

County, the Sneed brothers have

worked hard to comply and

implement all phases of their

conservation plan as required by

the Farm Bill. The Sneeds have

gone almost completely to no-till,

using crop residue and cover crops

and also to a crop rotation.

In the mid-nineties, the Sneed’s

noticed that the water that was

coming off their farm was cleaner,

but it was also causing head cuts to

start forming in their fields where

the excess water was going into the

drainage ditches. Clean water’s

characteristic is to carry a silt load

and this phenomenon is called

hungry water by USGS. They

applied for and received EQIP

funds to install a grade control

structure to control over 200 acres

of drainage area to stop the headcutting that was going into Royster

Creek. Under this EQIP plan they

also installed a field border and a

grass waterway. The erosion on this

rented farm has been controlled

significantly with no-till, cover

crops, crop residue use, and

nutrient and pest management.

Because of the success on that

farm, in 2003 they signed up again

under EQIP for a farm on Hwy 14

and have requested two grade

control structures to control head

cutting that is going into Big

Creek. They will sow a field border

around their farm that will allow

the cotton scout to get around the

edge of their farms a lot easier in

order to check the boll weevil

traps.

Ray Sneed stated that he has been

very pleased with how the

structures have operated and how

the program has benefitted not only

the land that he owns, but also the

land that he operates.

Lauderdale County Landowners Install EQIP

Practices

Larry Olds, a Lauderdale County farm operator, had been watching the

gully in his field get larger each year, but the size of the gully grew

dramatically during the extremely wet fall in 2002.Concerned about the

erosion problem, he contacted the NRCS staff at the Ripley Field Office

for technical assistance and signed up for the Environmental Quality

Incentives Program.

Through the EQIP, Mr. Olds installed a grade stablization structure in

accordance with the NRCS engineering design. Mr. Olds stated, “I am

extremely pleased with how the installed grade stabilization structure has

eliminated the gully erosion problem in my cropland field.”

Arthur Bentley and the other staff of the NRCS Ripley Field Office have

installed a large number of grade stabilization structures similar to the one

on the Olds farm to treat erosion problems on the silty soils present in

cropland fields in Lauderdale County.

Arthur Bentley, Soil Conservation Technician for the Natural Resources Conservation

Service Ripley Field Office inspects the aluminum riser of a Grade Stabilization

Structure being installed on Larry Olds farm in Lauderdale County.

Shelby County Farmers

Utilize EQIP
Current Focus on the Field - Area 2 Developments

W

ater quality has been a major concern in the Tim’s Ford

watershed for a long time. Usually problems in a watershed

 make the news, but the Franklin County Soil Conservation

District (SCD) has some good news about water quality.

Six local farmers volunteered to fence their livestock out of the lake and

utilize an alternative water source. The combined efforts of J.M. Ballard,

Larry Brazier, Wilburn Henderson, A.L. Shasteen, D.V. Solomon, and

Allen Stephens resulted in 38,000 feet of lake property being fenced

to exclude cattle.

Along with fencing, technical assistance was provided to install pipelines

and water troughs on some farms. In some cases, wells and ponds were

utilized or the grazing land was converted to hayland.

Wilburn Henderson said his cattle had previously had access to the lake

for 60 years! When asked about the benefits of excluding the cattle from

the lake, D.V. Solomom said, “It’s not only going to help water quality

but it’s going to keep my cattle out of the undergrowth and I won’t loose

the occasional calf that sometimes wondered off and fell off the cliff

into the lake.”

The Franklin County Soil SCD administered a partnership between the

Tennessee Valley Authority , Tennessee Department of Agriculture and

the Natural Resources Conservation Service to provide assistance to

Farmers Volunteer to Keep Cattle Out of Tim’s Ford Lake

When life gives you lemons,make lemonade! We have all

heard this phrase. But for Edmond

Rollins and many other successful

businessmen in our countries

history, this is just a basic formula

for success.

Edmond Rollins owns and operates

Rollins Farms in southern Giles

County, Tennessee. Rollins Farms is

a very diversified family operated

agri-business that consists of locally

marketed cattle, honey, a breeder/

layer poultry operation and R-Grow

Soil Conditioner.

After construction of the poultry

operation on his farm, Rollins was

faced with a problem common to

confined livestock facilities-too

much manure!

Concern over the cost of

incinerating mortality from the

operation and the potential for

environmental impacts from the

these local landowners. TVA and

TDA were responsible for financial

assistance, while NRCS provided

technical assistance.

Steve Abston and Doug MurphyTVA, Brad Buckner-Franklin

County SCD, and David Tapp and

Mandy Silvey-NRCS helped plan

and implement these projects.

manure led Mr. Rollins to the local

USDA Service Center. After

meeting with the NRCS staff, Mr.

Rollins decided to construct a

composter/litter storage facility on

his farm. After obtaining

information about costshare

programs available through the

USDA that would assist in the

construction of a waste

management facility, he applied for

assistance through the

Environmental Quality Incentive

Program.

William (Rusty) Walker, NRCS

conservationist met with Mr.

Rollins on the farm to evaluate the

waste problem. Additional resource

concerns were discussed relating to

nutrient management, the beef

operation, grazing, soil quality, and

erosion control. The final plan was

approved by the NRCS and the

conservation practices completed

over a 5-year period by the Rollins

family.

USDA Project Helps Farmer Convert Waste into Organic Based Soil Conditioner

While working on the waste facility,

Rollins began researching the

marketability of organic soil

conditioners. His hard work and

determination led to the development of the R-Grow product, a

composted natural material that is

highly praised by home gardeners

and organic based truck crop

producers. Converting an overly

abundant waste material into a

commercial product marketed

throughout the southeast wasn’t easy.

The cooperation of agricultural

agencies like the NRCS, FSA, UT

Extension and Tennessee Department

of Agriculture can provide agribusinessmen like Mr. Rollins the

assistance needed for success.

Does R-Grow work? Just ask local

4-Her Stephanie Walker. A quarter

of a bag of R-Grow was all it took to

produce her prize winning “Best of

Show” pumpkin at the Giles County

Fair.

Alternative water source in Tim’s Ford

watershed.
Current Focus on the Field - Area 3 Developments

The Commissioner of Soil and Water for China joined

other Chinese delegates for a tour of the Conasauga

River Watershed. The delegates were on a factfinding mission to help them address water quality

problems especially in the impoverished rural regions

of China. The group had visited several sites across

the United States prior to coming to this area.

Steve Rickerson, Deputy Forest Supervisor, Cherokee

National Forest welcomed the group to Cleveland and

gave them an overview of the Conasauga River watershed. The Conasauga River Watershed Alliance is

recognized as one of the best examples of state,

federal and local agencies and environmental groups

working with communities and landowners to improve

water quality and enhance the understanding of aquatic species biodiversity. Numerous partners and private landowners shared their story of the collaborative watershed stewardship program being implemented. The delegates

had an opportunity to see and hear firsthand the principles of ecosystem restoration at work in the watershed.

The delegates toured the Cherokee National Forest where they were shown forest management practices along

with best management practices installed on private land in the Conasauga River watershed. Bill Dailey, NRCSTennessee; Cindy Askew, NRCS-Georgia; Dr. George Smith, UT Agricultural Extension Service; and Shawn

Clause, The Nature Conservancy told the delegates, with the assistance of an interpreter, about the Best

Management Practices implemented in the Conasauga River Watershed. The group had an opportunity to see and

learn about stream buffer practices, livestock exclusion, tree and shrub plantings, stream crossings, alternative

water supplies, poultry litter and composting.“It was a rewarding experience to be involved with a group from

another country, who has different political leadership, culture, and language, but still had the same interest and

desire to conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources” stated Bill Dailey.

Chinese Delegation Tours Conasauga River Project

When Rex Calfee, Bradley County landowner, needed assistance to build a waste management system for a new

dairy facility, he contacted the NRCS in Cleveland. Bill Dailey, district conservationist and Jason Miller, soil

conservationist helped him get the financial and technical

assistance he needed Mr. Calfee used both the EQIP and the

TDA cost share program.

After several farm visits and site reviews with soil core samples

tested for permeability, a holding pond was sized and engineered

by NRCS. A pond averaging 300’ long and 250’ feet wide with

16 feet of liquid storage was needed to meet the needs of a 600

cow operation needing 180 minimum days of storage. Several

alternatives were looked at for the system but the soil core

samples showed the soil needed a concrete liner to meet the

specifications of water permeability on this site.

Mr. Calfee contacted the Cleveland NRCS office after receiving

information on shotcrete which is shot or blown on with piston

pumps and air hoses instead of pouring regular concrete. The

strength of shotcrete has a greater PSI than regular concrete and

would better benefit Mr. Calfee’s situation. The holding pond

liner is sprayed shotcrete at 4 inches thick up to the water line. Months of planning, dirt moving and construction

finally came to fruition. After two weeks of spraying shotcrete into the pond, the project is finally near completion.

Mr. Calfee’s dairy operation meets the new CAFO regulations. The NRCS staff has spent several weeks developing

his Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan which will be completed soon.

Dairy Waste Holding System in Bradley County

Photo above, l to r: Jack Keeling and Jason Miller

oversee construction of Calfee’s holding pond.

Bill Dailey and Dr. George Smith with Chinese delegation.
Current

Developments

Seven million Americans were

victims of identity theft last year -

the fastest growing financial

crime. You could be the next

victim.

Holidays are times of increased spending and less

attention paid to unusual financial transactions. Now, more

than ever, be vigilant with your records.

The following are ways to help prevent identity theft:

•Check your financial statements promptly and thoroughly.

•Obtain and verify credit reports annually - Equifax/TransUnion/

Experian are the three major credit reporting agencies which will provide

reports for a fee.

•Be stingy with personal information about yourself.

•Just say “NO” to telephone and mail solicitations.

•Travel light - keep unneeded personal credit cards and IDs at home

when traveling.

•Find a secure place for personal information at home - keep it locked

and inaccessible.

•Shred all documents with personal information - this includes computer

discs.

•Consider a lock for your mailbox to discourage mail theft.

•Avoid strange or unknown ATM machines - use only those known to

you and avoid deserted areas night or day.

•Be observant and sensitive to people paying attention to your use of a

credit card at public telephones, cash machines, and public internet

stations.

Safeguard Your Identity

Most people use cruise control to

maintain a safe speed, but you

should not use cruise control on wet

or icy pavement, according to

Marcus K. Drayton, an engineer

with the automotive industry. “The

reason is that the time it takes to

disengage the cruise control system

increases the overall reaction time

needed to regain control after a

vehicle has started to hydroplane.”

The purpose of cruise control is to

maintain a near constant wheel spin

rate. This is why using cruise

control on long trips results in better

gas mileage – it eliminates the

subtle acceleration/deceleration

cycles experienced by most drivers

when using their foot.

Many people who have experienced

hydroplaning feel like the car

actually accelerates to a higher rate

of speed when the tires loose

contact with the pavement.

According to Mr. Drayton, “It is

highly unlikely (read impossible)

that the car will accelerate when the

wheels start to hydroplane. The

wheels will continue to rotate at the

rate dictated by the cruise control.

The only exception to this general

rule applies to vehicles whose speed

is metered on the non-drive axles

(typically a rear wheel drive vehicle

where the speedometer cable only

measures the speed of the front

tires). In this configuration the rear

wheels may accelerate if the speed

of the front wheels decrease while

hydroplaning.

For those driving vehicles with

traction control systems, this isn’t an

issue.

The main thing to remember is...do

NOT use cruise control on wet or

icy pavement!

Safety Tip

Safety
Current

Developments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the

basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital

or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require

alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should

contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building,

14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA

is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The Scott County Soil Conservation

District recognized some long-time

friends of conservation at their

annual awards picnic. “Friends of

Conservation” award winners were

Carol Chandler, Michelle Beasley,

and Larry Hasty. The awards were

presented for “outstanding and

dedicated work in promoting

reclamation efforts in the Bear

Creek watershed.” Larry Hasty,

Michelle Beasley and Carol

Chandler began planning in 1991

and remain active in the

implementation phase.

Bear Creek watershed project (PL

566) planning for acid mine remediation for abandoned coal mine sites

in Scott County began in 1991. The

plan was authorized by NHQ for funding in 1998.

Eleven agencies and groups, including the sponsors

(Scott County SCD, Town of Oneida, and Scott County

Commission) have provided funding and support for ten

sites that have been reclaimed which represent treatment

on over half of the acres needing treatment. Reclamation

in the watershed began in the mid 1990’s, but it was

2002 before aquatic life returned to Bear Creek, which

had been void of aquatic life since the late 1800s when

coal mines were opened in the area.

One of the prominent examples of reclamation is

occurring on a 160 acre abandoned mine site, where 65

acres are being reclaimed as a recreational park with

soccer, baseball and softball fields. A public day care

center is also being located on the reclaimed site. An

industrial park will occupy the remaining acreage. NRCS

is treating the water quality on the site while the Town

of Oneida is providing the funding for the recreation and

other infrastructure.

Today, an area that was once an eyesore is now providing recreational opportunities for the residents, as well as,

providing jobs and childcare to an economically depressed area. The success of this reclamation effort can be

attributed to the many individuals, groups, and agencies that have worked together toward a common goal.

NRCS Employees Receive “Friends of Conservation” Award

Pictured above, l to r: Carol Chandler, Esther Abbott, Coyen Walker, Jerry Taylor,

Michelle Beasley, and Johnny Acres. (Larry Hasty was not available for the photo.)

Photo above, l to r: Larry Hasty, NRCS and Steve Bakaletz,

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in the

Bear Creek watershed.