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BWSR Meeting Minutes <br />January 27, 1999 <br />Page Six <br />attached. Motion passed on a voice vote. <br />Minnesota River Basin Water Quality Improvement Projects -Ron Harnack presented <br />the "second round applications" with a total of $291,163 available for funding. The <br />Minnesota River Basin Joint Powers Board approved the eleven projects as <br />recommended by the major project review team. Ron stated that this is a one-to-one <br />match requirement. Moved by Sharon Clark, seconded by Paul Krabbenhoft, to <br />approve the water quality improvement projects in the Minnesota River basin. Motion <br />passed on a voice vote. <br />RIM-CRP Pilot -Ron Harnack introduced Howard Moechnig, who began working in <br />January 1997, cooperatively with BWSR and MRCS to work on a CRP-RIM land pilot <br />program. Howard explained what he's been working on. This pilot project is an <br />incentive for landowners to treat the land right, combining long-term, short-term and <br />limited easements as well as cost-share incentives. Five SWCDs participated in the <br />pilot project. Howard explained the downfalls of the pilot: CRP lands; perpetual <br />easements; skeptical of payment scheme; payment rates for limited use; cost-share <br />limit of $75 an acre. He also explained the good things that came out of the pilot <br />project: 14 conservation systems planned; prescribed grazing demonstration projects; <br />conservation planning handbook prepared; training held; prescribed grazing systems <br />and fencing standards written for NRCS; grazing planning prepared; developed course <br />descriptions. Howard reported that this CRP-RIM land pilot program was not <br />recommended to move ahead. Ron Harnack stated that this was a good project, many <br />good things came out of this pilot program. <br />Howard now is involved in vegetative management on long-term easements; working <br />with 40 cooperators on EQIP grazing plans; putting on training programs and <br />developing training courses for new employees that will benefit SWCD employees. <br />Advisory Gornments <br />- Ginny Imholte; as a watershed representative, reported that the MAWD administrators <br />met yesterday with Kent Lokkesmoe, DNR; and Doug Thomas regarding grant <br />opportunities and legislative initiatives. This was a very beneficial meeting. <br />- Roger Mussetter, NRCS, reported that Ron Hardesty retired, his position will be <br />replaced. A technician in Walker retired, this position will also be replaced. Roger <br />stated that the district conservationists (DC) in Mahnomen moved to South Carolina, <br />this vacancy is announced. The DC in Kittson moved to North Dakota, another new <br />vacancy. The DC in Wilkin will move to Clay County, the Breckenridge vacancy will be <br />advertised soon. Computer specialist advertised also. Technicians are needed in <br />Moorhead, Becker and Fillmore County and five additional staff in the office of <br />