March Council Meeting Minutes

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met on March 15, at the U. S. Forest Service office in Double Springs.  Present were Andy Baril, Mike Henshaw, Allison Cochran, John Creed, Kerri Roberts, Andy Scott, and Blake Addison.  Agenda items included:

• Andy Scott gave an update on the U. S. Forest Service RAC proposal from the Winston County Commission.  He said that the Coop Roads agreement has been updated and submitted to the Supervisors Office in Montgomery.  He expects the funds to be allocated soon, and the county commission will have plenty of time to complete the road maintenance under the agreement.
• Discussed the upcoming Pine Beetle/PLM program.  Area loggers and private landowners will be invited to attend.  The program will be held at 7:30 a.m. on April 26, at the Bernice Hilton Walker Building in Double Springs.  The program will focus on the pine beetle outbreak, and measures the Forest Service is taking to address it.  Three (3.0) PLM points will be available.
• Allison gave an update on a Forest Service team that runs a stream simulation program that is being used to improve road and bridge design.  This, in turn, improves aquatic habitats for fish and other species.
• Andy Scott gave an account of a recent operation to rescue an incapacitated hiker from the Bee Branch area of the Sipsey Wilderness Area.  The operation was hampered by a lack of information, equipment breakdowns, difficult terrain and thick forest conditions.  Ultimately, the hiker was successfully transported to the appropriate facilities and is doing well.

  

  Andy Scott, left, describes hiker rescue.

• A RENEW OUR RIVERS clean up will be held on April 11-12 and will be headquartered at Yellow Creek,
• Kerri gave an update on the 4-H River Kids program and the Firewise Funding.
• Andy Baril said that there will be a Wild Pig Workshop in Bibb County on April 20.  He also noted that his SET region will be changing and he will be assigned to another group of counties located around Birmingham and Winston will no longer be in his region.  Winston County will likely be covered by Spenser Bradley under the new plan. These changes will take affect on October 1.
• Johnna texted that the balance of the treasury is $4,337.94.
• The Council's demonstration feral hog trap has been set up at Eddie Densmore's farm near Houston.
• The WCNRC agreed to support and participate in any "Learn and Burn" programs that may be held in nearby counties.  These educational programs involve landowners in actual prescribed burn operations on private property.  
• A small committee will work on plans for possible Shortleaf Field Day at a private landowner's property later this year.
• The Council approved the following slate of officers:  Allison Cochran - Chair, Mike Henshaw - Vice Chair, Johnna Franks - Treasurer, and Kerri Roberts - Secretary
• (Note added on 3/28 due to accidental omission:  up to $200 for 4-H Shotgun Shooting Sports Team, up to $200 for transportation for 4-H Wildlife Habitat evaluation team.  Youth Fishing Derby to be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at Black Warrior Work Center.)

Mike Henshaw, Vice Chair