Abe Costa

The meeting agenda includes an ethics compliance reminder and the election of a Vice-Chair. Several reports are scheduled, including updates from the Division, the NC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and the NRCS. Key business items involve a consent agenda covering supervisor appointments and contracts, job approval authority applicants, and additional supervisor contracts. Further discussion topics include rule reports, Agricultural Water Resources Assistance Program (AgWRAP) regional applications, Agriculture Cost Share Program supplemental allocations, and Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program (StRAP) allocations. The meeting also covers training and attendance reports, specific district requests for contract post-approvals, and an inquiry committee hearing regarding supervisor attendance.

This template guides districts in preparing their Fiscal Year 2027 Strategic Plan, focusing on strategic direction for conservation programs. It covers key areas such as marketing and outreach, local policy implementation, and applicant prioritization for various cost share programs, including Agriculture Cost Share, Impaired and Impacted Streams, Conservation Reserve Enhancement, Community Conservation Assistance, and Agricultural Water Resources Assistance. The plan aims to secure funding and establish operational procedures to address agricultural nonpoint source pollution and water quantity concerns within the district, alongside reporting on external conservation practice funding.

The North Carolina Agriculture Cost Share Program's Fiscal Year 2026 Detailed Implementation Plan outlines the program's administration, funding, and operational goals to improve water quality through agricultural best management practices. Key priorities include allocating general and earmarked funds to soil and water conservation districts, supporting a Job Approval Authority process for Best Management Practices, and providing comprehensive training to districts. The plan also details district allocation parameters, technical assistance provisions, and lists eligible best management practices across categories such as agrichemical pollution prevention, erosion and nutrient management, sediment and nutrient management, stream protection, and waste and nutrient management, all aimed at enhancing water quality.

The commission held sessions to address division reports, including updates on pond repairs, legislative issues, and the Streamflow Rehabilitation Assistance Program. Key agenda items included supervisor appointments and contracts, job approval authority for best management practices, technical specialist training updates, and recommendations from the Community Conservation Assistance Program Advisory Committee. Discussions also covered supervisor attendance reports and the presentation of annual reports for commission programs. Several district-specific issues were reviewed, including requests for exceptions to cost share caps, post-approval for project funding, and authorization for projects on government-owned property.

The Commission discussed several administrative and technical updates, including the Division Director's upcoming retirement and a report on Technical Specialist training compliance. The meeting included the approval of supervisor appointments, supervisor contracts, and Job Approval Authority applicants. The Commission also reviewed funding recommendations for the Community Conservation Assistance Program and the status of required Basic Training for supervisors. Additionally, members addressed a request for a contract on government-owned property and received public comments regarding federal disaster recovery and agricultural assistance programs.