BIG BEND RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPMENT

Annual Meeting

December 14, 2007

Circle T Restaurant, Ritzville

Call to Order @ 10:10 a.m. by Chairman John Preston

Present:         John Preston, Warden CD

Rudy Plager, Adams County Commissioner

Cindy Carter, Grant County Commissioner

Dale Pomeroy, Warden CD

Andrea Mann, Big Bend RC&D

Bill Graedel, Lincoln CD

Art Tackett, City of Connell

Bob Koch, Franklin County Commissioner

Loren Wiltse, Adams County Building and Planning

Guests:         Rick Carter

                        LeRoy Debes, USDA Rural Development

Presentations:

USD RURAL DEVELOPMENT

LeRoy Debes spoke to the assembly on business and rural community economic development programs.  Information on grants and loan guarantees for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency programs was shared.  Workshop information on the USDA Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grant program for agricultural producers was distributed.

CRITICAL AREAS

Loren Wiltse, Adams County Building and Planning Director, spoke on the issues relevant to critical areas and how Adams County was proposing to handle them in their new ordinance scheduled for passage in December, 2007.

COULEE CORRIDOR SCENIC BYWAY GEOLOGY MAP

Andrea Mann, on behalf of Mark Amara, presented the completed map for the Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway, expressed thanks from Amara for the support and sponsorship of the project over the past four (4) years.  Twenty thousand (20,000) copies of the document have been printed and will be distributed.  Copies were available for those in attendance.

Approval of Minutes

Bill Graedel moved, Rudy Plager seconded, to approve the minutes of October 26, 2007.  Motion carried.

Financial Report

Treasurer Graedel reported a balance of $7,761.36 and moved for acceptance of the report.  Bob Koch seconded and motion carried.

Rudy Plager moved, Art Tackett seconded, to approve payment of $162.05 to Adams County for Reimer professional services.  Motion carried.

The 2008 Sponsorship Appeal brochure was distributed.

Correspondence

Correspondence was reviewed with no follow up required on any matters.

Coordinator Report

The Coordinator report was included in the meeting packet.

Additionally, Andrea Mann reported that Great Plains Oil indicated that they were concentrating their camelina development efforts in Oregon.  The RC&D group encouraged Mann to pursue further since Adams County already has some camelina in production.

Mann also attended a Horticultural Association meeting and talked with contractors who may be able to assist with the buffer strips/living snow fence projects for local orchards.  RC&D signed up to be a field trial partner.

Old Business:

Status of Projects

Inland Empire Historical Railway Society

Bill Graedel reported that power is now available, tracks are built up to the road, and some box cars have been added.  The new Spokane Fair Manager has notified them that they no longer need to move their engine and cars sitting on the grounds and can continue operation of their small museum.

Connell Historical Museum

The grant proposal has not been submitted to the Connell City Council as of this date.

Adams County Museum

Citizens to subscribe to the ‘Adopt a Window’ program continue with framing costs being donated.

Coulee Corridor Trails

Art Tackett reported that he has been unable to attend the recent meetings and therefore had no update at this time.

Columbia Basin Water Initiative

Rudy Plager reported that the executive summary on the “reduced irrigation Odessa Sub-Basin” study had been completed.  The full study is available on-line via the WSU/Economic Department site.

The final invoice was presented for payment and RC&D was authorized by motion from Rudy Plager, seconded by Art Tackett, to pay $2,000 of the $2,574.20 professional services contract.  Adams County will pay the balance ($574.20).

Washington Rangeland Committee

Two brochures have been developed outlining the goals of the Committee and of the highlights of the Rangeland Ecology.  Commodity groups will use them to lobby the legislature in 2008 although it is recognized that 2008 will not be a ‘funding’ year.

Coordinated Resource Management

There have been no further requests beyond the initial one for assistance.

Coulee Corridor National History/Geological Mapping

The mapping project has been completed.

Sprague Lake Fisheries Enhancement

This project has been completed.

Sprague Lake Fish Barrier

Alternatives measures will be implemented as the original plan was not approved.

Shrub Steppe Outdoor Classroom

RC&D will continue to sponsor and pay for those portions of the project that qualify.  Kiosk has not been installed at this time.  Mann will explore additional interest from local science teachers who may be interested in having their students get involved.

Inter-Mountain West Joint Venture

Changes with this group anticipate new direction from the board.  RC&D was backup for funding options.

Historic Preservation Trades School

Andrea Mann will meet when Ms. Olson’s current work schedule allows.

AgFARMation

No additional information available at this time.  Additional grant applications for this group will utilize current available information.

Prchal Farmstead Ethanol

No additional information available.

TRANSCO

Andrea Mann reported that there had been some participation with QuadCo and a legislative day sponsorship.

New Business:

Election of Officers

Bill Graedel noted that he was willing to remain as treasurer.  Art Tackett noted that although he would no longer be with the City of Connell he was willing to remain with the group.

Rudy Plager moved to retain all officers with Bob Koch to move into the First Vice-President position, and Cindy Carter into Second Vice-President position.  There was no second.

Rudy Plager then moved, to retain all officers (John Preston, Chairman; Art Tackett, Secretary; and Bill Graedel, Treasurer) with Cindy Carter to serve as First Vice-President, and Denis Bly to serve as second Vice-President.  Bill Graedel seconded.  Motion carried

Annual Plan

Art Tackett moved, Rudy Plager seconded, to approve the 2008 Big Bend RC&D Council Plan of Work.  Motion carried.

Miscellaneous

Andrea Mann reported that she would be bringing some information on ‘carbon sequestering’ to a future meeting although this issue relates primarily to timber areas.

Mann reported that she had made contacts for future links when she attended the Sustainable Rural Communities Workshop sponsored by AWC in October, 2007.

There being no further business to come before the group the annual meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m.

Submitted:

__________________________

Linda Reimer

Edited and Approved:

__________________________

John Preston, Chairman

__________________________

Art Tackett, Secretary

Next Meetings:

            Executive Council

            January 25, 2008

            Circle T Restaurant, Ritzville

            12:00 noon

            Full Council

            February 22, 2008

            Circle T Restaurant, Ritzville

            12:00 noon