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The Macon Soil and Water Conservation District is. . .
a subdivision of state and local government in partnership with federal
government, which develops and oversees conservation programs to
meet the needs of Macon County. This is accomplished by providing
technical assistance and services to all landowners and land users, free
conservation literature and educational programs that promote conservation.
The five-member board of supervisors — three of whom are elected in
the general election and two appointed by the Soil and Water Commission
— are charged by North Carolina law with the responsibilities of
promoting, planning and approving measures which will best
conserve the natural resources of Macon County. In turn, the board
of supervisors charges the three member staff, in partnership with
Natural Resources Conservation Service, with implementing these
measures.
The board of supervisors meets the third Monday of each month at
7:00 pm (7:30 pm during daylight savings) in the District Office. All
board meetings are open to the public; any changes to the schedule will
be posted.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Macon Soil and Water Conservation District
is to cooperatively assist in the development and implementation
of conservation programs that promote and encourage
the wise management and use of soil and water resources
for rural, urban, and agricultural lands of Macon
County.
NC Agriculture Cost Share Program
The North Carolina Agriculture Cost-Share Program has completed twenty years
in Macon County. Mike Breedlove is the Natural Resource Conservation Technician
for the program. Macon County was allocated $71,426.00 for fiscal year 2007-2008 for
use on conservation practices in the county. Over $l,000,000.00 has been appropriated
for work on Macon County projects under this program.
This program is based on conservation practices implementing water quality improvements.
Cooperators are given cost-share assistance at the rate of 75% of the average
cost of installing eligible conservation practices with emphasis on animal waste management
to improve water quality.
A project for ten acres of cropland conversion to permanent vegetation is planned. We
also are in the process of building two feed/waste structures for beef cattle. Plans for
cattle exclusion from creeks along with animal watering systems are ongoing.
Also, this past year we completed work on Macon County’s first Environmental Enhancement
Program (EEP) project. We installed four separate livestock water tanks,
sub-surface drainage and a grassed waterway on a local beef cattle farm. A sixty foot
wide buffer will be established on Cat Creek in the Holly Springs section of the county
at this particular farm.
Additionally, the North Carolina Drought Response Program will be implemented in
Macon County. This is a temporary program intended to help local farmers who have
suffered recently due to extended drought. Some of these practices include pasture
renovation, wells for water supply and agricultural ponds. Macon County has received
$67,873 for this program with more allocations expected.
STREAMBANK RESTORATION/RIPARIAN REFORESTATION
The Macon Soil & Water Conservation District has, for over ten years,
been actively promoting a streambank stabilization and riparian buffer
restoration program in the Upper Little Tennessee River Watershed in
Macon County. Doug Johnson coordinates the program as an employee of
the Macon Soil and Water Conservation District.
Four grants, totaling over $1.6 million from the EPA, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, and the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund have
been used to cost-share on implementation of streambank stabilization,
riparian buffers, and, where necessary, fencing for livestock exclusion.
The project uses environmentally sound and wildlife beneficial techniques,
such as whole-tree revetments in order to reduce the amount of sediment
entering the watershed. In addition the District, using a grant from North
Carolina Division of Water Resources, completed its first project utilizing
natural stream channel design techniques. This project was located on
Burningtown Creek and consisted of installing two rock crossvanes, one
rock J-hook structure and approximately two hundred feet of flood plain
benching.
In FY 2008 using the latest CWMTF grant and the grant from NCDWR,
ten projects, totaling approximately 2000 feet of streambank stabilization,
seven acres of riparian buffer, and 5300 feet of fencing were completed
USDA PROGRAMS
Emergency Watershed Protection Program
During FY-08, the staff completed annual site visit reviews for the completed projects.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
The staff continued to emphasize the Environmental Quality Incentives Program. In FY-08,
there were 7 applications and 5 contracts. One contract has been completed. Work is underway
on a second 08 contract, as well as, the 07 contract.
Grassland Reserve Program
The USDA Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) was used to fund one project in Macon
County in 2005. That project is currently underway. Several Macon County farmers continue
to express interest in this program and may sign up in FY-09, if the program is funded.
Farm and Ranchland Protection Program
The USDA Farm and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP) continues to be popular in
Macon County. The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee does an excellent job of promoting
this program. To date, four tracts of land in Macon County have been selected to receive
FRPP funding. NRCS, working with the District, has the responsibility to develop conservation
plans on farms in this program. In FY-08, a conservation plan was developed for the
tract scheduled for closing in September, 2008.
Conservation Planning Assistance
During FY-08, conservation plans were developed for 581 acres. In addition to planning,
the following practices were applied:
- Mulching—2.5 Ac
- Heavy Use Area Protection—0.2 Ac
- Nutrient Management —139 Ac.
- Pipeline—382 Ft.
- Field Border—2600 Ft.
- Water Well—2
- Watering Facility—7
The above practices provide the following resource benefits:
Cropland with conservation applied to improve soil quality– 30 Ac.
Land with conservation applied to improve water quality– 172 Ac.
Grazing and forest land with conservation applied to protect and improve the resource base-
168 Ac.
The installed practices or systems reduce erosion, improve water quality, and enhance
wildlife habitat. This was accomplished by NRCS and District staff working
with landowners to implement conservation plans on private lands.
Beaver Management Program
The District has been the local contact agency for the Beaver Management Assistance
Program, a cooperative effort between USDA Wildlife Services, NC Wildlife
Resources Commission and the local district. Due to a lack of interest this program
is no longer available.
SWNC RESOURCE CONSERVATION &
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
RC&D has been instrumental in helping to implement several programs and projects
in Macon County. Some of the current projects include the very successful
Streambank Stabilization Project and providing technical assistance to the Little
Tennessee Watershed Association, the Upper Cullasaja Watershed Association and
the Little Tennessee Non-point Source Team. RC&D also provided funding to the
District for a streamtable.
Southwestern North Carolina RC&D Council members representing Macon
County are James Roper, Mike Breedlove and Matt Mason. Matt is the County’s
sedimentation control officer. Doug Johnson also regularly attends the council
meetings. Tim Garrett, whose office is located in Waynesville, is the council’s project
director.
District Programs
In September the District submitted an educational entry in the Macon County Fair. This year’s theme was “’The Barn
Door is Open’ at the Macon County Fair.”
In the fall each year the District participates in a Conservation Field Day for all seventh graders in the county. Three
hundred twenty-five students participated this year.
During the early part of the year the Board of Supervisors sponsored a Poster Contest for grades three through six and an
Essay Contest for six graders. This year’s topic was “We All Live in a Watershed.” Four hundred thirty-seven students
attended the presentations and fifteen students were awarded monies this year. Additionally, one fourth grader won first
place in the Area Poster Contest and then participated in the State Poster Contest.
The District participated in Soil Stewardship Week the week of April 27 through May 4. The theme for 2008 was
“Water is Life.” Materials were placed in six area churches and one restaurant.
The District sponsors the sale of trees and wildflower seeds each year for the public. Orders are taken in the fall for trees
which arrive for planting in early spring. This year 1000 trees were sold. Wildflower seeds are kept in the office for sale
all during the year.
The District was represented at most monthly RDP-FAC meetings with Kayla Hudson, Mike and Doug attending meetings
for 2007-2008. Agencies included in this panel are: FSA, RDP, LBJ Job Corps, NC Forest Service, USFS,
Coweeta Hydrological Lab, NC Cooperative Extension Service, Macon S&WCD, NRCS, and NC Wildlife Resources
Commission. The Macon S&WCD in cooperation with this group has worked on several projects during the year. The
District’s close working relationship with these groups has enabled us to promote a variety of new and continuing programs
and keep abreast of new activities and programs through other agricultural agencies.
In the spring of 2002 Macon County enacted a County Soil Sedimentation Control Ordinance. As part of this ordinance
the District is required to review sedimentation plans and work closely with the Sedimentation Control Officer, Matt
Mason. This year thirty-one plans have been reviewed and visits have been made to numerous sites.
District employees spoke about our programs and demonstrated the stream table at Cowee School reaching approximately
75 students.
In April Mike Breedlove spoke about our programs with twenty-three members at a Horse Club meeting.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance and cooperation:
- Rural Development Panel (RDP)
- Farm Service Agency (FSA)
- NC Cooperative Extension Service
- NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
- NC Division of Soil & Water Conservation Districts
- Davis Ferguson, Regional Coordinator, Area 1 Soil & Water Conservation Districts
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
- US Forest Service
- Southwestern NC Resource Conservation & Development Council
- Little Tennessee Watershed Association (LTWA)
- Land Trust for the Little Tennessee
- NC Forest Service
- NC Wildlife Resource Commission
- Macon County School Coordinator
- Macon County Schools — Principals, Teachers
- Devin Deal—Vo Ag Teacher Franklin High and Chris Baldwin—Principal Nantahala High
- Macon County Commissioners, County Manager and Staff
- The Franklin Press, Macon County News, The Highlander and Cashiers Chronicle
- Local Radio Stations — WFSC/WWNC, WPFG and WHLC
Statement of Adoption
This Annual Report, as required by the state of North Carolina and requested in a
supplemental memorandum of understanding with the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, has been adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Macon
Soil and Water Conservation District on the ____day of _August_2008.
Melinda James, Chairman  Calvin Conley, Member
James Roper, Secretary/Treasurer Josh Ward, Member
Pamela Bell, Member, Vice Chairman
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