SPRING CREEK REGION COOPERATIVE WEED MANAGEMENT AREA, INC.

Minutes

November 12, 2009  6:00 p.m.

Spring Creek Association Conference Room

 

Called to Order – 6:10 pm

 

Attendance: Jill Wilkinson, Ken Wilkinson, Karen Smith, Kim Steninger, Doug Clarke, Ryan Shane-NDF, Mary Winter-SCA General Manager; Fritz Sawyer – SCA BOD; Lance Dean- SCA BOD

 

Approval of March 23, 2009 minutes.  Kim Steninger moved to approve minutes, Doug Clarke 2nd.  Passed unanimously.

 

Financial Report- Karen Smith reported all submitted bills have been paid.  Our current checking balance is $4,068.03.  Kim moved to accept the financial report. Doug Seconded – passed unanimously.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Volunteer hours and acres and species of weeds treated for 2009 need to be submitted to Jill by December 2.

 

Inventory of chemicals and any equipment stored at your homes needs to be submitted to Jill by December 2.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Lance Dean questioned how things work for the SCRCWMA, Inc. Kim, Karen, and Jill gave examples.  An explanation of our goals on private lands, distributing equipment and herbicide, handing out crested wheat grass to land owners, and our educational programs were presented.

 

Kim mentioned we have tried to have a 50/50 cost share weed sprayer hired by SCA and we provide matching funds. This person would spray weeds on SCA common use areas, Marina, Horse Palace, parks, easements, etc.  The trouble in past has been finding dependable people and the short window to actually spray.  SCA has often pulled the sprayer to work on roads or other amenities (such as painting buildings), so unfortunately, the weeds continue to grow.

 

Karen explained we provide resources for homeowners to do their own weed spraying. Only sometimes do we actually spray for a homeowner. We have some neighborhoods that receive supplies from us, and then they go and round up their neighbors to spray.

 

Some challenges we face are handing out the equipment and following up on the many phone calls we receive for help and weed identification from homeowners.

 

Jill encouraged SCA to require the county to require the contractors that dig in SCA road right of ways to reseed the areas they disturb. Fritz and Mary said a plan is in place.  COA is looking into weed issues. Follow up is now needed.

 

Mary said SCA will lead the way in weed control.  Set an example. Then expect home owners to follow.

 

Ryan and Jill explained there are state laws... NRS 555…. That requires land owners to control their noxious weeds. Only recently has the State Department of Agriculture been sending letters out to land owners that have noxious weeds. In the past, there has not been manpower to follow up on private weed infestations.  The Big W ranch along Ten Mile Creek has been sent such a letter from NDOA.  NDF and possibly NRCS are helping with a resource management plan for the ranch.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Discussion regarding grant possibilities: Ryan Shane of  NDf explained Forest Land Enhancement Program for South Fork Reservoir – he is working with Jim Wilkinson on that.  Jill asked if funding available for any SCA projects. Ryan explained most grants are for very large projects.  State Grant funds could be applied to the campground.  The question was raised, what is SCA plan for the campground?

 

Discussion about the 2010 Work Plan – a few items were brought up for discussion. It was agreed that Jill will draft the 2010 work plan to be reviewed in January 2010. 

 

Some of the items discussed tonight: Mary Winter explained the plan for the campground.  They plan to reseed the area this year. Doug and Kim have 150 pounds plus of wildland and/or crested wheat seed to give to SCA for the campground.

 

The upper 6 campsites will be closed and reclaimed for several years. Other sites will be cleaned up. The goal is to rid area of noxious weeds and turn the campground into a desirable place for campers.  Ryan Shane mentioned that weed identification signs could be posted at trail head and near restroom and water spigots.  Lance mentioned Boy Scouts always look for projects like this.

 

Mary said she is meeting with Jack Pryor and Jay Paxson to discuss herbicide and timing of  application.  Jill mentioned that she should ask them about the product Plateau for leafy spurge control.  Jill mentioned work done by Jess Gilbert of Basin Tree Service. Mary worked with Jess in past so is familiar with him. She would like to work closely with the weed group.

 

Road right of ways were discussed. Would it be better to blanket spray the sites?  A cost analysis needs to be made.  Compare the cost of labor to spot spray vs. cost to blanket spray.  How do labor costs compare to herbicide costs.  

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Discussion of how to best use the weed inventory and maps generated by Mary Winters and Ryan Shane.  Ryan said NDF is committed to storing the maps in their data base. Later we can add treatment information as well. Note:  Mary Winters was independently contracted by SCRCWMA for this work during the summer of 2009 prior to her position with SCA).

 

ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING:

2010 Work Plan

Submit other items to Jill by December 30, 2009

 

NEXT MEETING DATE AND TIME:

January 13, 2010 at SCA board room 6:00

 

ADJOURN:

Kim moved to adjourn the meeting 7:36. Ken 2nd. Passed unanimously.