1998-07-23_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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BWSR Meeting Minutes Apri122, 1998 Page Five New Business BWSR Response to Tornado Damage -Jeff Nielsen distributed pictures of tornado destruction in Brown County. He also presented an aerial Global Positioning System (GPS) map showing the tornado route from Comfrey through Courtland on March 29, 1998. Jeff presented ideas where BWSR maybe able to provide assistance to landowners, these suggested ideas would require a Governor's Executive Order. Discussion followed. Mark Dittrich stated that ahay-lift is scheduled for farmers today in the St. Peter area. Ron suggested that Option #9: Conservation practices, 100% cost-share assistance for repair of damaged Minnesota cost-share installed practices be limited to windbreaks. Option #10: Extend cost-share program; extend landowner contracts to give them more time; extend the state contract with affected SWCDs so they have more time to encumber funds. Local contractors and local funds maybe in short supply. Ron suggested that an extension of two construction seasons on existing cost-share program, allowing SWCDs and landowners to shift practices. Ron reported that DNR, NRCS, and BWSR will make ** recommendations. Moved by Dwain Otte, seconded by Marv Tripp, to approve the 9~-29 recommended Option #9 and Option #10. Moved by Rod Sando, seconded by Lee Coe, to amend the previous motion to include "uninsured Losses." Motion. passed on a voice vote to ** include the amendment. The motion states: Conservation practices - To allow SWCDs in the 98-30 declared tornado disaster counties to offer up to 100% cost-share assistance, for uninsured losses, to repair Minnesota cost-shared field windbreak practices damages by the tornado. Extend the Cost-Share Program - To allow the SWCDs in the declared tornado disaster counties to extend landowner contract for FY96 and FY97 until June 30, 2000; to allow BWSR to extend the FY98 state contract with the SWCDs affected by the tornado to June 30, 2000, so they have more time to encumber funds. Motion passed on a voice vote. Education Strategy -Susan Tsakakis stated that the BWSR Education Committee members include: Barb Uppgaard, chair; Jim Anderson, Paul Krabbenhoft, Ginny Imholte and Susan Tsakakis. Susan explained that when the legislature created BWSR in 1987, it clearly believed that the board had an important educational role to play. BWSR's enabling statute contains three mandates directly related to education: 1) the B`VSR shall develop information and education programs; 2) the BWSR shall provide a forum; and 3) the BWSR shall facilitate communication and coordination. Susan gave an overview of the BWSR Education Strategy. Barb Uppgaard asked that board members review the education strategy and submit comments to Susan by May 6, for action on the document at the May board meeting. Discussion followed. There is a concern regarding "short-term" contracts with MES, it should be referred to as a "contract." Chair Roer stated that inter-agency coordination is needed on the education positions. Barb Cobb commended the committee on the education strategy. Barb Cobb stated that the M ASWCD has three slots available for BWSR if interested in their "Leadership Training" program. Jim Birkholz stated that BWSR does have a training team, which is listed in the board member handbook. Chair Roer commended the committee on the education strategy. Barb