September Council Meeting

LaVerne Matheson, President of WCSLAI, presents the
Council with a $1,000 check to support the FAWN
program for Winston County sixth graders.

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met at the U. S. Forest Service Building on September 16th.  Present at the meeting were:  Jim Hughes, John Creed, Charlie Meek, Allison Cochran, LaVerne Matheson, Tom Counts, Mike Henshaw, and Stephanie Love.  Chris Wright, Chairman, called the meeting to order.  The following topics were discussed:

• Wildfire conditions in the area are a concern with the recent dry weather.  Chris and Allison reported on two recent wildfires.
• Chris said that Johnna Franks is recouperating well, and hopes to be back to work on light duty soon.
• Treasurer's Report-Current account balance is $9,725.
• T-Shirts for the FAWN program have been ordered.  This will be an increased cost for the FAWN program this year.
• Discussed having a tour of the Old Log Jail for the students from Lynn and Meek this year.  There are several individuals in the community that could be recruited to speak to the students.
• The FAWN program was discussed at length.  Several changes were made to the program, and a tentative program for the October 13-14 dates will be sent to members soon.  The walk-thru for FAWN will be held on October 12, at 9:00 a.m. at Houston Recreation Area.
• The Archaeofest 2010 will be held at Brushy Lake on Saturday, September 25th.  The WCNRC approved $350 for food for the event.  WCNRC members are encouraged to attend and assist with the program.
• Allison said that the Forest Service will be sponsoring a Hunter Education Class on October 18, 19, and 21.  Participants must register online at outdooralabama.com
• There will be a Fire Prevention Day at Houston on October 2nd.
• Tom Counts reported on the Alabama Prescribed Fire Council Meeting in Eufaula.  He noted that there were over 400 applications for the new program to promote prescribed fire. 
• LaVerne reported on the recent Smith Lake Clean-Up that Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy Inc. (WCSLAI) conducted.  He said that Smith Lake was free from styrofoam from Duncan Bridge north.  He added that since the clean-ups had begun, over 170 tri-axle dumptruck loads of styrofoam had been removed from the lake, and over 130 abandoned boat houses had been removed.  LaVerne also stated that WCSLAI had made good progress on the signage for the tributaries on Smith Lake.  He said that one of their directors, Tom Grubbs, had been working very hard on that project.  LaVerne added that WCSLAI would also provide coloring books to all Winston County students in K-3rd grade, which would include about 1,400 students.  He gave us an update on the Rock Creek Watershed Grant and the PowerPoint Slide Presentation on Water Quality.
• LaVerne also brought a $1,000 check from WCSLAI to be used for the FAWN program.  
• Charlie gave us an update on the Pulling Together Initiative Grant to control invasive alien plants like privet and kudzu.  He said the final version of the grant would be submitted at the end of the month.  If funded, several sites will be selected for these demonstrations.
• Charlie noted that the Winston County Assign-A-Highway program has been funded for another year.