Minutes of August Council Meeting

On Thursday, August 16th, the Winston County Natural Resources Council met. Members present were: Mike Henshaw, Vice Chairman, Kerri Roberts, Secretary, Johnna Franks, Treasurer, Matt Brock, John Creed, P. J. Gossett, Jeremy McDonald, Andy Scott, J.D. Snoddy, and guests Marsha Terry and Donna Shanklin.

• Kerri presented about the 4-H Wildlife team traveling to the national competition in Winter Harbor, Maine. She thanked to council for offering to sponsor the trip with $500, but it wasn’t necessary due to other funding sources.
• Mike talked about FAWN and gave dates of October 16-17. Andy Baril will still be able to attend and do “Flag a Tree”, Andy Scott and Allison Cochran will not be able to attend, There will be a new guide from the Smith Lake Advocacy helping this year, Mike will contact Alabama A & M to confirm the Water Quality Station, Andy Scott said Houston Recreation area would be fine for FAWN location again. 
• Mike discussed Extension’s Grass Roots meeting that is coming up on August 23. He asked all present to attend or fill out the paper survey. 
• Johnna reported the balance is $9,059.23. We spent $573.64 on the fishing derby. There was member discussion about paying for FAWN t-shirts. It was decided to let Jeremy use the same place as last year unless Matt can get a better price in Fayette County. 
• Andy updated that 7 Forest Service employees are out or have been out on fire detail fighting wildfires out west. One is Allison, the WCNRC Chair, which is why she was not in attendance.
• There are 3 ongoing FS projects. 1) Forest health and restoration cuts due to pine beetle infestation. 2) Mulching of the Stenson Gap area. 3) Using Title 1 funds for road maintenance including side boom mowing. The FS has added $15,000 to county funds for this project. 
• Andy reported the Caney Creek Falls parking dilemma is still ongoing and it is just a long process through NEPA. J.D. wondered if the county commission could get easements to make that process easier. 
• J.D. is concerned about the state spraying the sides of roads on Highways 278, 195, and 33. As a board member of the Mountain Lakes, he questions if there are other methods for controlling vegetation that are not such an eyesore at high tourist times. Mike answered that other areas of the state use different methods and it was decided J.D. would ask our state employee. 

Kerri Roberts

Secretary, WNCRC