INITIATIVE: WATER

Action Items
1. Work with local organizations on water quality issues each year - e.g., Mahomet Valley Water Authority, U of I Extension, IDNR Ecosystem Partnerships, Farm Bureau, Clinton Lake watershed, Lake Decatur Watershed Committee.
2. Promote filterstrip plantings along streams and creeks with news articles, through CRP sign-up, and individual or group meetings.
3. Provide a news article addressing pesticide safety and awareness.
4. Promote the proper sealing of abandoned wells through informational and educational materials, with assistance from U of I Extension, local health department, and other participating agencies.
5. Provide wetlands information to individuals through news releases, newsletter articles, individual contact, and other informational outlets.
6. Complete certified wetland determinations as requested.
7. Process new Highly Erodible Land and wetland determinations within 30 days or as workload allows.
8. Notify individuals of programs to restore and create wetlands through news releases and newsletter articles.
9. Encourage the construction of temporary wetlands and water table management structures along ditches and streams.
10. Reduce the amount of phosphorous from agricultural fields by implementing nutrient management plans.
11. Reduce the amount of nitrates entering surface waters by preparing nutrient management plans.
12. Promote deep placement of phosphorus vs surface application.
13. Provide technical assistance to drainage districts and individuals planning maintenance work so that all work is done in the most efficient, effective, and environmentally sound manner
14. Conduct a drainage commissioner meeting with interested parties
15. Promote the IDOA Stream Bank Stabilization Program




INITIATIVE: NATURAL RESOURCE
 
Action Items
1. Assist individuals with conservation planning Highly Erodible Land.
2. Notify producers of their annual conservation compliance status reviews by letter. Notify all cooperators of these reviews by news article.
3. Work with producers to complete and implement Resource Management System plans for farm bill programs.
4. Maintain and update conservation plans in the field office database on a continuous basis.
5. Investigate survey and design conservation practices funded through cost share programs, and practices to be installed without cost share assistance if time allows.
6. Apply for funding opportunities to implement various programs that promote conservation practices.
7. Identify and encourage producers with livestock to use available programs.
8. Promote the adoption of riparian buffers along rivers and streams through the utilization of CRP and CREP.
9. Promote ideas for properly managing pasturelands.
10. Promote the importance of excluding livestock from streams to improve overall water quality.
11. Promote the Federal and State programs that provide incentives for establishing trees on cropland and other areas.
12. Promote native grass seedings, food plots and stressing the importance of delayed mowing of raodsides by news releases, newsletter articles, individual contacts and other informational sources.
13. Seasonal Tree & Fish Sale.
14. Utilize all opportunities to establish and enhance the working relationship with all federal, state, county and local agencies and organizations to promote the conservation of our natural resources.
15. Maintain communications with IDNR District Forester concerning CRP/CREP tree plantings and other forestry related programs in Piatt County.
16. Participate in the Heart of the Sangamon Ecosystem Partnership and the Upper Kaskaskia Ecosystem Partnership
17. Promote the establishment of trees through the use of Federal and State programs.



INITIATIVE: FARM LAND

Action Items
1. Submit entries into AISWCD Farm Family/ Conservation Farmer award competition.
2. Provide Natural Resources Information (NRI) and Land Evaluation Site Assessment (LESA) reports as requested and/or required.
3. Promote sustainable agriculture.
4. Utilize opportunities to sponsor small-scale research on sustainable agriculture practices.
5. Encourage individuals to write and implement nutrient management plans
6. Work with landowners on NHEL ground eroding above "T".
7. Utilize Partners for Conservation Program to reduce soil erosion in Piatt County.



INITIATIVE: EDUCATION

Action Items
1. Meet with the Piatt County zoning officer to try and improve the utilization of NRI reports and better coordination between the offices.
2. Utilize NACD and AISWCD materials and staff assistance to better serve the SWCD clients.
3. Assemble and publish SWCD newsletter at least four times a year.
4. Assist local units of government with the development and implementation of construction site erosion and sediment control ordinances.
5. Participate as members and advisers for the RC&D Council Board.
6. Provide Soil Stewardship Week literature and materials to local churches, libraries and businesses.
7. Make presentations to community groups regarding the conservation of natural resources, environmental issues and other related matters as requested.
8. Prepare news articles for local newspapers.
9. Provide educational/ informational materials and displays for the libraries to increase conservation practice awareness, the conservation of natural resources and special District events.
10. Make soil survey maps, soils information and flood plain maps available to the general public.
11. Hold classroom presentations for local schools.
12. Provide educational and informational natural resource materials to educators and educational centers.
13. Provide educational materials, information and support to the 4-H program volunteer leaders, 4-H members, Scouts and other youth organizations as requested.
14. Keep pamphlets and brochures in display racks current.
15. Participate in the annual Arbor Day Third Grade Tree Program with schools in Piatt County. 1
6. Promote the proper management of existing woodland areas with a woodland workshop at Allerton Park with participating agencies.
17. Provide information regarding windbreaks through news releases, newsletter articles, programs, individual contact and other informational sources.
18. Provide informational news articles regarding the benefits of timber management practices.
19. Support the LUC Envirothon and try to get a team from each High school in Piatt County



INITIATIVE: DISTRICT OPERATIONS

Action Items
1. Review EEO, EO, security awareness and CR policies with all staff and the SWCD Board.
2. Maintain good relations with the IDNR Private Lands Biologist concerning CRP/CREP/WHIP and other wildlife programs in Piatt County.
3. Invite federal, state, county and local agencies and organizations to the SWCD Annual Meeting.
 4. On a daily and continuous basis work with the Farm Service Agency on all USDA programs to maintain inter-office communications and relations.
5. Ensure that all newsletters and news articles contain the EEO statement.
6. When openings occur, encourage the SWCD Board to recruit female, minority, and disabled individuals as directors, associate directors, and employees.
7. With prior SWCD Board approval, attend Winter and Summer Conference, area meetings, spring workshop, training and other meetings as requested to increase knowledge skills and abilities.
8. Respond to all requests from the BLWR, IDOA and NRCS for necessary reports and information by deadlines
9. Share information between SWCD, BLWR, IDOA, and NRCS on District operations and events.
10. Invite BLWR, IDOA and NRCS to District functions and events.
11. Participate, as schedules permit, in employee sub- committees and other committee activities.
12. Participate in the AISWCD Annual Meeting and LUC 6 meetings.
13. Work closely with the AISWCD and the NRCS key media contacts to facilitate news releases as requested or required.
14. Participate in the AISWCD legislative key contact network.
15. Maintain the Field office/District office files in order to provide efficient and expeditious service to individuals.
16. Hold monthly staff meetings.
17. Maintain timesheets for SWCD employees.
18. Greet and handle (or direct accordingly), all clients, callers, visitors, vendors, and cooperators.
19. Prepare and maintain the budget for the fiscal year and provide a monthly accounting of all financial transactions at SWCD Board meetings.
20. Maintain travel vouchers and keep an accurate accounting of the travel allowance expenditures and balances.
21. Prepare and send monthly Board minutes to the Board, the BLWR and others.
22. Prepare written or oral reports of monthly activities at SWCD Board meetings.
23. Develop an Annual Plan of Work, with direction from the SWCD Board, which reflects the concerns of our community and cooperators, promoting growth and efficiency in all aspects of the Monticello Field Office.
24. Process all outgoing messages, correspondence, electronic mail, and facsimiles, as requested or required.
25. Develop a Training Needs Inventory for entire staff.
26. Maintain and display a sufficient supply of marking flags, and plat books to sell as needed.
27. Recruit and train qualified volunteers to help implement the district plan of work.
28. Hold an annual meeting to publicize our accomplishments. As budget allows.
29. Recognize and insure out reach to all producers in the County