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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.
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.
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.
This past year we have planned five separate projects involving water troughs with approximately 4000 feet of fencing. Also planned are 9 acres of steep pasture conversion to trees. One project is for ten acres of cropland conversion to permanent vegetation. We also are in the process of building two feed/waste structures for beef cattle.
STREAMBANK RESTORATION/RIPARIAN REFORESTATION
The Macon Soil & Water Conservation District has, for the past 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 $l.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 FY 2007 using the latest CWMTF grant, fourteen projects totaling approximately 1150 feet of streambank stabilization, 8.5 acres of riparian buffer, and 500 feet of fencing were completed.
Beaver Management Program
At the request of Macon County, the District is the local contact agency for the Beaver Management Assistance Program. This is a cooperative effort between USDA Wildlife Services, NC Wildlife Resources Commission and the local district.
SWNC RESOURCE CONSERVATION & DEVELOPENT 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.
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.
USDA Programs
Emergency Watershed Protection Program
During FY-07, the staff completed annual site visit reviews for the completed projects..
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
The staff made a concerted effort to publicize the Environmental Quality Incentives Program which resulted in 10 applications and one 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. The Field Office staff worked with the NRCS State Office staff to complete the required components of the contract application. Several Macon County farmers are still interested in this program and will sign up in FY-08, 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.
Conservation Planning Assistance
During FY-07, conservation plans were developed for 662 acres. In addition to planning, the following practices were applied:
- Access Road—2130 Ft
- Streambank Protection—200 Ft.
- Nutrient Management —159 Ac.
- Stream Habit Improvement/Management --27 Ac.
- Pest Management—197 Ac.
- Field Border—800 Ft.
- Forest Stand Improvement—35 Ac
- Upland Wildlife Habitat Management—29 Ac.
- Forage Harvest Management—27 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.
District Programs
In September the District submitted an educational entry in the Macon County Fair. This year’s theme was “Macon’ It Happen 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. Two hundred eighty-eight 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 “Wetlands are Wonderful.” Two hundred sixteen students participated in the poster contest this year, and four students participated in the essay contest. Fifteen children were awarded monies this year. Additionally, one fourth grader won second place in the Area Poster Contest.
In February the District was asked to give a Soils presentation to twenty students at Franklin High School.
The District participated in Soil Stewardship Week the week of April 26 through May 6. The theme for 2007 was “Today is the Day to be a Part of Conservation Power — Join in! —.” 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 Oshen Sands, Mike and Doug attending meetings for 2006-2007. 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 all sedimentation plans and work closely with the Sedimentation Control Officer, Matt Mason. This year sixty-three plans have been reviewed and visits have been made to numerous sites.
District employees spoke about our programs and demonstrated the stream table several times reaching approximately 80 students.
Additionally, April Blaine and Sarah Spradlin came for Franklin High School’s “Job Shadow Program.”
The District sponsored April Blaine’s and Sarah Spradlin’s attendance at the Resource Conservation Workshop held in Raleigh in June.
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
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