Winston County Natural Resources Council

Friday, April 21, 2023

April Meeting Minutes

The Winston County Natural Resources Council met at 9:00 a.m., in the John Nichols Building in Double Springs, AL, on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Present were the following members: Casey Hammack, Matt Hannah, Lauranne James, Dylan Gilbert, Mike Henshaw, Jamie Seagraves, Zack Brannon, and John Creed. The following topics were discussed:

Winston County Board of Education bus transportation charges for past events. Council is requesting addition documentation from the BOE before paying these invoices. Casey and Zack are following up with BOE.
Dylan gave an update on the 4-H Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) team in Winston County.
High speed internet availability in Winston County. Some areas have improved access, while other areas have poor access.
An extended discussion was held on the tax-exempt status of the Council. Matt Hannah has previously submitted drafts of a Limited Liability Non-Profit Agreement to the Council. The dialog focused on two areas, the liability implications, and tax exemption. Matt Hannah explained the various details of the third draft of the Limited Liability Non-Profit Agreement for the WCNRC. He distributed the third draft of this document to all Council members. Lauranne James gave input from the NW RC&D Council, which has extensive experience in this area. John Creed informed the Council about the annual IRS tax returns required. Matt requested that should the Limited Liability Non-Profit Agreement be approved, he would need approval for up to $300 to file the documents with the State of Alabama, and to reserve the name of the Council with the tax authorities. Mike moved that we approve the limited liability non-profit agreement first, with the funding to be addressed later. Zack seconded with all in agreement. Zac moved to allocate up to $300 for the tax exempt application costs, Mike seconded, and all agreed. Matt said he would prepare the final documents and send out to the officers. After officers have a chance to review, they will meet to sign the documents that will be filed with the State.
A TREASURE Forest audit will be conducted at Matt Hannah's TREASURE Forest in the Arley.
Dylan gave an update on the 4-H Pig Squeal program that will culminate at the show and auction on April 29, 2023, in Fayette.
Jamie informed the Council about a request from a Double Springs school for a program about invasive species. While the school year is rapidly coming to a close, Jamie has a prepared a hands-on program for this year with more plans for the coming year.
Zack gave updates on an educational program in Moulton on May 16, about household well water. The program will be held at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. Participants may bring samples of well water for testing.
Zack said that the Forestry Field Day held at Bill and Ann Self's had won the Alabama Association of County Agricultural Agents and Specialists Award for Outstanding Natural Resources Educational Program, and is being considered for the Southeast US Award, and later, possibly a national award.
Casey reported that the council had a balance of $7,940.67.
Mike moved to adjourn the meeting, Matt seconded, and all approved.

Submitted by Mike Henshaw, Vice Chair

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Press Release - Press Release USDA Forest Service invests more than $228 million to support schools, roads, other services

Press Release from the USDA Forest Service

WASHINGTON, April 14, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service today announced it is issuing more than $228 million to support public schools, roads and other municipal services through the agency’s Secure Rural Schools program. The program was reauthorized for fiscal years 2021 through 2023 by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funds will be paid to 742 eligible counties in 41 states and Puerto Rico.

“The Secure Rural Schools program is one of many ways the Forest Service provides continuous support to communities across the country” said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “Not only do these dollars provide funding for schools and roads, but the program also reimburses counties for providing emergency services on national forests and supports the development of community wildfire protection plans, all critical programs designed to improve the quality of life in these communities.”

The Forest Service retains some of the funding to support projects that improve forest conditions and support jobs in rural communities. Resource advisory committees made up of residents representing varied interests and areas of expertise review and recommend the projects that meet their local needs.

In addition to Secure Rural Schools payments, the Forest Service is using Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act funding to improve forest conditions, support local economies and create jobs by investing in forest restoration projects, road and trail maintenance, recreation opportunities and wood innovation development.

Over the past 10 years, the Forest Service has distributed $2.4 billion through the Secure Rural Schools program. This year’s payments to states are below.

Alabama: $1,592,935
Alaska: $10,493,105
Arizona: $9,382,509
Arkansas: $5,240,717
California: $32,535,506
Colorado: $11,920,745
Florida: $2,165,753
Georgia: $1,201,669
Idaho: $22,993,216
Illinois: $219,617
Indiana: $230,545
Kentucky: $1,218,658
Louisiana: $1,540,415
Maine: $62,592
Michigan: $3,058,004
Minnesota: $2,111,545
Mississippi: $4,344,135
Missouri: $2,678,719
Montana: $14,255,025
Nebraska: $169,974
Nevada: $3,411,616
New Hampshire: $428,027
New Mexico: $9,588,527
New York: $17,905
North Carolina: $1,383,685
North Dakota: $289
Ohio: $213,428
Oklahoma: $784,344
Oregon: $45,656,904
Pennsylvania: $2,827,147
Puerto Rico: $167,296
South Carolina: $1,382,911
South Dakota: $1,233,941
Tennessee: $1,022,448
Texas: $1,852,860
Utah: $7,659,122
Vermont: $293,711
Virginia: $1,392,356
Washington: $14,562,647
West Virginia: $1,391,968
Wisconsin: $1,539,177
Wyoming: $4,422,350

TOTAL: $228,648,043

For payment information by county, visit Secure Rural Schools - Payments | US Forest Service.

Renew Our Rivers Smith Lake Clean-up - Houston Recreation Area

Alabama Power Company and Winston County Smith Lake Advocacy will hold Renew Our Rivers lake clean-up at Houston Recreation Area on 4/27 and 4/28. Volunteers are needed. Volunteers with or without boats are needed. The clean-up begins at 8:30 AM. Trash bags will be provided. Lunch will be provided by Alabama Power Company Shoreline Management office around 1:30. Bring a personal flotation device, sunscreen, water and insect repellent.

The Houston Recreation Area is located at CO RD 3124 in Houston.

Monday, April 17, 2023

April Meeting to be held at Winston County Extension Office

The April meeting of the Winston County Natural Resources Council will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at the Winston County Extension Office in the John Nichols Building in Double Springs. One discussion topic will be the tax exempt status of the council. Please make plans to attend and I look forward to seeing everyone.

Friday, March 17, 2023

March Meeting Summary

The following individuals attended the March 2023 WCNRC meeting: Andy Scott, Casey Hammack, Jamie Segroves, Mike Henshaw, John Creed, Mark Finley, Maggie Johnston, Amy Melson and Allison Cochran.

The Learn & Burn put together by AFA at Matt Hannah's was a success with about 30 individuals attending and about 50 acres burned. The tree giveaway was successful. Renew Our Rivers is planned for April 27 & 28 at Houston and help is needed to clean-up trash in our waterways.

Discussions were had on the incorporation for our organization. We will do some more investigating on how to proceed.

Treasurer's Report - $3000 from the Self Field Day from the ANRC was deposited. These were reimbursements for food, tent and portable toilet rental and speaker travel. The balance is $7940.34.

AFC is busy burning, as is the Forest Service.

Mark Finley is attending a Treasure Forest meeting in Montgomery next week and will report back.

Wild Alabama has many upcoming events which are listed on their website, including several events and fund
rasiers around Earth Day and Trails Day. Wild AL received a donation of land adjacent to Bankhead on the north end. They are hopeful to build a small educational facility, office and informational kiosk.

Andy Scott reported on many projects and issues on Bankhead National Forest, including the damage to the bridge at Sipsey Rec Area. A land exchange has been completed that acquired two tracts on the Sipsey Fork, 11 acres total. Stewardship sales are not receiving much interest from bidders, so the staff is working on other ideas on how to get the needed projects completed. A Natural Resources Specialist vice Shane Hoskins, ORA, has been hired. There is a vacancy open now for timber marker positions.

Maggie suggested a field trip to her land to see the shortleaf pine project that Mississippi State University is working on.

Mike Henshaw met with Greg Couch of the Alabama Scenic River Trails group at the Mims tract.

Next meeting is April 20, location TBD.