Local Common Sense Conservation
222 E. Main Street Suite 2B | PO Box 606 | Ennis, MT 59729
406.682.7289
Regular Board Meeting
October 21, 2013
Lone Elk Conference Room
Supervisors Present: Mel McKitrick, Janet Endecott, Neil Kent, Kevin Boltz, Kaye Suzuki (5:10)
Others Present: Trisha Cracroft, Ethan Kunard, Sunni Heikes-Knapton, Kate Schwend, Kelly Leo
The meeting was called to order at 6:55 pm.
Minutes: MOTION MADE by Kevin to approve the minutes as presented, seconded by Neil, motion passed.
310 permits:
#13-33 Spanish Peaks: Replacing a failed culvert that has caused a hole in the road. Mike and Mel inspected. Team
recommendation to approve as proposed, with the 15 day wait waived. MOTION MADE by Janet to approve
#13-33 as proposed, seconded by Neil, motion passed. Expires December 31, 2013.
#13-34 Yellowstone Club: Project to put in a short term bridge across the creek for a temporary crossing. Mike & Mel
inspected, recommendation to approve as proposed and waive the 15 day wait. MOTION MADE by Kevin to
approve as proposed with the 15 day waiver, seconded by Neil. Motion passed.
#13-35 Sun Mountain Lumber: Put in a 24 inch culvert for a creek crossing to access a timber thinning project. Mike and
Mel inspected, recommendation to approve as proposed. MOTION MADE by Kevin to approve as proposed,
seconded by Janet, motion passed.
Kelly Leo, from the Harrison School. She has three students taking Ag classes online, which we have previously assisted
Ennis School with funding. Two of the students will be continuing the classes in the spring. Kelly asked whether
the District would be interested in assisting with funding the classes. MOTION MADE by Kaye to support the
Harrison School Ag Education classes by refunding $200 after completion of the class, submission of passing
grades, and a short report to the district; total funding shall not exceed $1600 per school year. Seconded by
Kevin, motion passed.
Trisha Cracroft, NRCS
 Trisha was furloughed for most of October.
 She brought in an article from Grass Farmer magazine about Greg Judy and drought management through a
grazing plan.
 She also brought agendas and information on the Soil Health workshops around the state.
 They have been learning about Dung beetles, and asked about the board’s experiences in treating for flies.
Kevin suggested that proper use of insecticide would be a good topic for the Soil Health workshops this winter.
Sunni Heikes-Knapton
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MWCC Symposium: Sunni, Kate, and Ethan traveled to Missoula last week to the MWCC Symposium. Sunni and
Kate sat on a panel on social media, demonstrating how we use Facebook, Vertical Response, and the website to
tell our story; Ethan gave a presentation on his BSWC term.
Results Oriented Conservation: Ethan and Sunni traveled to Salmon, Idaho for a conference for regional
conservation groups, with discussions and presentations about how groups can work together to achieve
greater results.
Natural Resource News: Sunni wrote an article/editorial about why government employees, etc, travel to
trainings and why they’re helpful.
South Meadow Creek letter: Sunni presented a draft letter to South Meadow Creek users describing the
decisions the group has reached, and suggestions and alternatives for the future. Janet said that it looks much
better; however she said that she is going to do construction on the site on her property this fall, so it needs to
be taken out. Kaye recommended that Sunni ask for feedback by email or letter, so that given opinions are in
writing.
Banquet: Rebecca Ramsey asked for a couple dates to start thinking about, Janet Marsh on the Ruby Watershed
Council said she would like to bid for catering, Neil suggested the Laurie Edmondson might like to as well.
Carcass Composting: Kris Inman is asking all interested organizations to get together in November to discuss,
make plans, and suggest contributions. Kevin asked about how diseases get composted out and whether it
would cause spreading of disease. Janet asked about how ag carcasses would be picked up, because bio
contamination may become a problem if one truck is driving across everyone’s land and picking up various
diseases.
Winter Workshop Survey: Sunni showed the Landowner Survey asking for topics for the Winter Workshops.
Kaye suggested an ARC GIS specialist who could teach people to use Google Earth to set up grazing management
plans.
Board Member Training: Last year we held a training in the Ruby about the history of CDs and 310 law.
Work Plan: Dave Martin will come down for our annual planning meeting November 13. Dave asked that this
year we have a photo from each project, and that a board member present each project.
Water Monitoring Data: is there any other outreach we would like to do with the data? There is a website where
data like this can be uploaded, Sunni suggested posting the data and then mailing to landowners along the
creeks that they may be interested in checking it out. Another suggestion is doing a “Stream Write Up” for the
Natural Resource News in the Madisonian on each stream and the challenges it faces.
Office Open House: we’ll have an open house during the Christmas Stroll, December 6.
Sunni had an update from Brian Domokos about Snow Course sites in the Madison.
Gravelly Landscape Collaborative: Their goal is to get together to propose projects that can be done to improve
the landscape and avoid law suits. Their priority area is the Greenhorn area.
Sunni asked the board if they could give some background information for the website, just to help encourage
recognition of the board members.
Sunni passed flyers for a couple of workshops coming up in the area.
Ethan Kunard, BSWC
 Ethan showed a portion of his presentation at MWCC, and reported on some of his recent activities.
Kate Arpin, Planning Board
 Rita Owens has filled Lane Adamson’s vacant position; Clyde Carroll resigned from the board; Kate is now
interim Vice President in Clyde’s place. Also, Kate has changed her last name from Schwend to Arpin.
Financial Report: Janet reviewed the financial report. Our checking account balance is $7,140.41, so she suggested we
transfer $20,000 out of the county account. MOTION MADE by Neil to transfer $20,000, seconded by Kevin,
motion passed.
 NACD dues: They ask for 1% of annual budget, but general agreement is that the state association is more
helpful. MOTION MADE by Kevin, seconded by Neil, motion passed.
New Business:
1. Big Sky Watershed Corps: We just got official notice that Ethan will definitely be returning for another year.
Old Business:
1. Ag Education Policy: previously covered
2. Ennis Growth Policy: Becky Vujovich could not come to present.
3. MACD Resolutions: A copy of the resolutions to be presented was included in the packet, board members were
asked to read and comment on the proposed resolutions.
4. Young Ag Couples Conference: The board discussed candidates for the conference in January. Kate Roberts and
her husband are a possibility.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 pm. The next meeting is November 18, 2013.
Kate Arpin, Administrator
Mel McKitrick, Co-chair