May Council Meeting Minutes

 

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met at 9:00 am on May 18, 2023, at the U. S. Forest Service Office in Double Springs.  The following members were present:  Mark Finley, Mike Henshaw, Matt Hannah, Lauranne James, John Creed, Jamie Segroves, Casey Hammack, Allison Cochran, Andy Scott, and Tyler Fish.  Not pictured was Amy Melson, NW Alabamian.

Allison opened the meeting by introducing the newest team member of the Bankhead Ranger District, Tyler Fish, Natural Resource Specialist.  He is transferring from Alaska to Alabama, and he's originally from Minnesota.  As a Natural Resource Specialist he will be responsible for Recreation, Sipsey Wilderness and Wild and Scenic River Areas, the Heritage Program, Roads and Trails, and Special Uses Permits.  The Council looks forward to working with Tyler in his new position.

Allison gave a brief summary of the TREASURE Forest program in Alabama and the role of the Alabama Natural Resources Council and Winston County Natural Resources Council.

Other items for discussion included:

• Fishing Derby to be held on June 3 at Black Warrior Work Center. It's for youth aged 5-12 and the event be held from 8:30 am to 12:30. Fun and educational activities will be available and there will be free food.
• Andy gave an update on the Bankhead Ranger District.  Filling the numerous vacant positions on the district is a high priority.  There is one active timber sale and others are planned.  The stewardship sales have not been successfully bid thus far, but the district is working with the National Wild Turkey Foundation to facilitate the transactions so that the prescribed management activities can be implemented.
• Andy said 18,000 acres on the Bankhead Ranger District had prescribed burns so far this season.
• Andy gave an update on the situation with the bridges at the Sipsey Picnic Area and Thompson Creek.  Engineers have determined that the bridge at the picnic area is damaged beyond repair and is permanently closed.  What will be done to remove the bridge and provide access to picnic area is unknown at this time.  The bridge at Thompson Creek is damaged, and is open to foot traffic only.
• Andy gave an update on storm damage.  Using high resolution imagery, they were able to determine the extent of storm damage on roads and trails.  He said the imagery also allowed the Weather Service to determine that two tornadoes had impacted the area.
• Andy answered a question about a fire in the Sipsey Wilderness Area.  He said the fire was a wildfire and it was contained using natural landscape features to minimize impacts to the wilderness area.
• Rollins Jolly has transferred to a National Forest in Georgia.
• Allison said the District is working on some new signage for the Natural Bridge recreation site near Houston.
• Lauranne said they will be hosting a Rain Barrel Workshop at the Legion Hall in Double Springs on Thursday, May 25, from 5-7 pm.  Registration is required because there will be a meal served.  
• Lauranne said the NWA RC&D Council is accepting grant applications until June 30 for FY'24.  There is a $5,000 minimum.  
• Mark said the Alabama Landowners Conference will be held at the 4-H Center in Columbiana, October 2-4.
• Mike gave an update on the Alabama Resource Advisory Committee proposal process.  He said that he'd met with Zach Brannon, Winston CEC, and Maggie Johnston, Wild Alabama, about possible RAC proposals.  
• Casey Hammack, Treasurer, stated that the Council had a balance of $7,303.53 on hand.
• Matt led a discussion about the 501c non-profit status.  The current officers signed the documents that will be filed with the State of Alabama to secure non-profit status.

Allison adjourned the meeting, which was followed with a group photo and photos of the document signing.

Mike Henshaw, Vice Chair