Un-Official Minutes
Roosevelt County Conservation District
Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting
April 2, 2013
7:00 P.M.
USDA-Service Center
508 6TH Street East
Culbertson, MT 59218
Vice-Chairman, Mike Christoffersen, called the meeting to order 7:08 P.M.
Roll Call Attendance:
Members Present: Mike Christoffersen, Gina Snyder, Ray Smith, Dana Berwick, and David
Anderson.
Un-Excused Absence: Buzz Mattelin and Mark Nelson
Others Present: Rob Bray (NRCS), Liselle Moberg (District Administrator)
Introduction of Visitors:
none
Approval of March 2013 Minutes
Ray Smith made a motion to approve the March 2013 minutes with above changes.
Mike Christoffersen seconded the motion.
Motion Approved unanimously.
Approval of March 2013 Financial Reports and Bills
Dana Berwick made a motion to approve the March 2013 finances and bills.
Gina Snyder seconded the motion.
Motion Approved unanimously.
Old Business:
1. Water Testing Project
While contacting Jane Holzer, Liselle Moberg came across Alice Stanley and the project
and grants that will be coming available this summer given that the bill passes. Alice’s
project is a baseline water testing project that has just started. It is a proposal in House
Bill 7 currently. If it passes, there will be $300,000 worth of grants available most of
them in the $30,000-$50,000 range to do water sampling. Alice said that since Roosevelt
County is considered a high risk area due to the oil industry, the county would be
accepted for a grant. Jane Holtzer or one of her office mates will attend May’s meeting.
2. Land Regulation Rule
The revised proposed ordinance was reviewed and discussed at the meeting. Some
changes were made that are to be submitted to Laurie Zeller for legal approval. The next
major step is to find when the next possible time to put the proposed ordinance on the
election ballot. The Board of Oil and Gas does not want to see the district succeed with
this ordinance because it will cause interference with some of their wishes. It was
determined that creating a checklist for both the oil companies and the district members
to go through for each site to be sure all requirements are met would be beneficial.
3. Froid Field Day
Discussion was held about the upcoming Froid Research Farm Tour on June 20, 2013.
The board suggested for the Roosevelt and Sheridan County Administrators and
Extension Agents to come up with some presenters, speakers, and tour activities to
present at the next meeting.
Other Business:
1. Cooperator of the Year
Each year, the Conservation District Board of Supervisors chooses a local producer as
operator of the year. The board has chosen not to choose a cooperator of the year this
year.
2. Administrative Grant
The 2013-14 administrative grant has been completed and was approved and signed
by the board. This year’s grant request comes to $30,641. The grant deadline is May
1 and needs to be signed by a county commissioner before submitting. Liselle is to
contact Jim Shanks to sign the administrative grant.
New Business:
1. Coal Bed Methane Project - Grant
Jane Holtzer or someone from her office will be attending the May 7 meeting to discuss
possible grant options, potential projects, and maybe even a water testing employee for
the area. She will also discuss some of the research and other findings for the project.
2. Dry Prairie Rural Water Report
Dana Berwick reported for Dry Prairie Rural Water that they are going to go further north
with the next distribution of funds. North is the only way they can progress until the
Assiniboine-Sioux project catches up. Dry Prairie is also doing more work in Valley
County. However, the Valley County projects are much smaller than the Sheridan County
pipeline.
3. Dredge Report
David Anderson reported that Richland County wanted out of the dredge partnership, but
our county members and producers convinced Richland County to remain a member of
the dredge project. Now, the dredge situation stands exactly where it was before with the
understanding that something needs to change. Julie Goss drafted a letter for both board
to approve to be sent to pump site owners in both Richland and Roosevelt Counties.
Once the letter has been approved by both counties, it will be sent out to all pump site
owners. It was also discussed that the rate for using the dredge should be increased to
$500/hour. Liselle was instructed to put a public notice in the paper reminding producers
and landowners that a 310 permit is required for proposed work on any perennial stream.
Dana Berwick made a motion to approve the letter and the adjustment in rate.
Gina Snyder seconded the motion.
Motion approved unanimously.
4. Missouri River Information
Buzz Mattelin was not present and no report was given.
5. Open Comments – Public
No comments.
6. 10-Minute Training
No training given.
7. NRCS Report
Rob Bray reported that the NRCS staff has been unable to do much field work lately due
to the excessive snow. Currently, they have three approved EQIP contracts and one
contract that will most likely be approved.
8. Adjourn Meeting
May’s meeting is set for Tuesday May 7, 2013 at 7:00 P.M.
Chairman, David Anderson, adjourned meeting at 8:41 P.M.
___________________________
Liselle Moberg – District Admin.
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David Anderson – Chairman