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Committee sends $20,000 restoration payment for Washington County Conservation District to full court
Summary
The Finance & Budget Committee voted to forward a $20,000 appropriation to restore prior funding to the Washington County Conservation District, following a presentation by the district chairman and the district's resource conservationist about services and federal program administration.
The Washington County Quorum Court Finance and Budget Committee voted to forward to the full court an appropriation of $20,000 from unappropriated reserves in the general fund to the Conservation District's budget (described in committee as restoration of prior funding).
Mr. Shumate, identified as chairman of the Washington County Conservation District board, told the committee the district was established by legislative action in 1940 to address erosion and flood control and now works with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to deliver technical assistance and federal program funds to landowners. “Were bringing in from 1 to $1,200,000 a year…through EQIP and other programs,” Shumate said, referring to federal funds that are administered locally and do not need to be repaid by landowners.
Sarah Overton, introduced as the districts resource conservationist, described day-to-day work including soil sampling, five-year nutrient management plans required for nutrient application in the Illinois and White River watersheds, pond and dam oversight and post-flood field visits. Overton said roughly half of her time is in the field working with landowners to prepare farm plans and to respond to site issues.
Justice of the Peace J. P. Lemming moved to send the $20,000 appropriation to the full court with a due-pass recommendation; J. P. Dean seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion by voice vote.
Committee members thanked the district staff for their outreach and technical assistance to farmers and small landowners and noted the district's work with diverse communities, including Laotian farmers, and its role in maintaining structures such as the Canyon Lake dam.
