March Council Meeting Minutes

The March meeting of the Winston County Natural Resources Council was held at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.  Present were Mike Henshaw, Allison Cochran, Kerri Roberts, Andy Scott, and Andy Baril.  The following topics were discussed:

• Resource Allocation Committee (RAC) - Mike explained about the upcoming RAC proposals that will be submitted to the committee in Montgomery.  Winston County has approximately $71,000 allocated to projects that will take place in the county.  At least half of those projects are to be used for maintenance of existing roads and trails, and all of the projects should be of some benefit to the U. S. Forest Service lands.  In order to coordinate the proposals that will be submitted from the county, the Winston County Commission (including the road department), and the U. S. Forest Service have a joint meeting planned for April 10, after the regular county commission meeting to discuss proposal priorities.  It is expected that there will be a great deal more projects than there will be RAC funds to complete them, 
• The council agreed to support the Winston County 4-H Shotgun Team up to $200 for expenses to attend the State 4-H Shotgun Competition in Childersburg.
• The Alabama Invasive Plant Conference will be held on May 3, in Alexander City.
• Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy will have a meeting at 6:00 p.m., on May 5, at the Traders and Farmers Bank Building in Arley.
• The council agreed to provide up to $150 for transportation of Double Springs youth to the Payne Creek Demonstration Area for the Junior Ranger program.
• A WCSLAI Lake Clean Up will be held on April 26 and 27, at Corinth Boat Ramp.
• Council discussed construction at Lakeshore.
• Andy mentioned the on-going project with the State Lands that will be transferred to the Winston County Board of Education.  He has visited the property with the Agriscience instructors to get ideas for possible opportunities to use the property in the Agriscience programs.
• The Firewise Youth Fishing Derby will be held on June 10, at the Black Warrior Work Center.
• Pine beetles continue to be a cause for concern across Alabama, according to Andy Baril.  A rapid increase in damage due to pine beetles is a possibility.  

Mike Henshaw, Secretary
WCNRC