Christopher Thompson

The Agriculture Committee discussed an agenda item concerning a manure storage setback waiver request submitted by Noah W. Kreider & Sons LLP for a proposed manure storage facility. The committee reviewed project details, site visit results, and State Conservation Commission recommendations, noting the lack of reasonable alternative locations and minimal risk of groundwater pollution, contingent on decommissioning a second well. The committee unanimously recommended approval of the waiver with specified additions. Additionally, the committee inquired about the status of the Melissa Horn CAO horse operation and State Conservation Commission oversight, with the Ag Program Manager tasked to follow up.

The meeting agenda covered several significant items, including the Reorganization of the Board with installation of directors, election of officers, and appointments of Associate Directors and PACD Voting Delegates. Agency reports were presented by the USDA, NRCS, and the PA DEP Field Rep. The Consent Agenda included approval of minutes, technical assistance requests, Nutrient Management Plan approvals, and acknowledgment of Conservation Plans. Additional business involved reviewing the Treasurer's Report, the Budget & Finance Committee Report detailing slight revisions to the 2026 budget, approval of authorized check signers, a request to advertise/hire a Summer Intern, discussion on a manure storage well setback waiver request, and reports from various committees (Ag, E&S, Banquet). Various reports and information items were also presented, including updates on Chesapeake Bay CAP Grant Awards and training opportunities.

The 748th regularly scheduled Board Meeting addressed several agenda items. Key discussion points included the introduction of the District's new Professional Engineer. The Consent Agenda, excluding specific items pulled for discussion, was approved, which covered items such as technical assistance requests, nutrient management plans, and scholarship endorsements (including a request to grant a fourth scholarship). Discussion items involved approving cost-share funding for a project on the Simeon Stoltzfus farm through a Chesapeake Bay Special Projects grant and submitting a modified NFWF Grant Proposal for the Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund. The Board also discussed liability concerns related to accepting a $65,000 NFWF/Altria No-Till Tobacco Planter Program grant. A motion to postpone the decision on the Revised District Policy regarding minimum design for waste storage structures was passed. The Board moved forward with an EPA-funded project for groundwater protection and discussed potential involvement in the Individual NPDES Permitting Process. Finally, the Board acknowledged conservation plans and reviewed the Treasurer's Report, noting a decrease in total fund assets from the previous month.

The meeting focused on the Conservation Education Program Report, including a summary of current school year activities and updates on upcoming events. Key topics involved the reorganization of the Lancaster County Environmental Education Coalition, registration deadlines for the Senior High, Junior, and Middle School Envirothon competitions, and updates on the Youth Conservation School applications and the Lancaster Outdoor Learning Network Initiative (OLNI) teacher professional development. Additionally, preparations for the LCCD Awards Banquet, where a teacher will receive the Conservation Educator Award, were discussed, along with the new Ag Education teacher hire at the School District of Lancaster and their initiative to start an FFA Chapter.

The regularly scheduled board meeting covered several administrative and operational items. Key discussions included agency reports from USDA/NRCS and PA DEP regarding grants, Chapter 102 updates (including the SPEED program and ePermitting), and upcoming training sessions. The Consent Agenda, which included the approval of Technical Assistance Requests/Cancellations, Nutrient Management Plan Approvals, and Conservation Plan Acknowledgements, was unanimously accepted with one item moved for separate discussion. The board unanimously approved moving the January and February 2025 board meetings to a single date on January 22, 2025, and authorized a planning meeting to precede the public business meeting. The Treasurer's Report was filed subject to audit, and the recommendation for Pam Wise for the Grants Coordinator position was unanimously approved. The board unanimously approved the PFBC Grant award for the Glick Farm Dam Removal project. Furthermore, the board accepted the revised LCCD E&S Control Plan / Chapter 102 Permit Review Application and Fee Schedule and directed staff to pursue formal enforcement action regarding an unauthorized fill activity at the Lancaster Bible College Site. The new LCCD logo was also unanimously accepted.