Jefferson County Soil And Water Conservation District

Key discussions included the approval of the December 2025 Financial Activity Report and the review of the FY 24-25 Audit. The board approved year-end staff bonuses, totaling $3500 to be paid from General Indirect funds. Staff updates covered ongoing project work such as juniper removal, tree planting, fire line seeding, and observations of early water flow at a monitoring site. Other updates included efforts to secure funding for adapting an invasive grass assessment methodology, challenges with the SWCD seeder, and updates regarding NRCS program changes, including the shift away from Conservation Implementation Strategies (CIS) to basin or statewide funding pools for programs like EQIP and CSP. An update was also provided regarding a legal appeal filed by a former employee concerning denied unemployment benefits.

The meeting featured a guest presentation by Tim Porter of ODFW, who provided an overview of factors influencing river flows and characteristics, noting the need for increased flow at specific times in the Deschutes River and improved morphology in Trout and Willow Creeks. Group discussions focused on ongoing workgroup activities, including Water Availability (pumping feasibility studies and ID piping progress), Croplands (analyzing crop data, diversification, irrigation efficiency, and cover cropping), Ranchlands (juniper control, targeted grazing with virtual fencing, and vegetated streamsides), Agrivoltaics outreach, and General Public Outreach (including video production and responding to media misinformation). The group also reviewed funding updates and set the date for the next meeting in May.

The meeting agenda for October 29th, 2024, included the approval of the September 2024 Financial Activity Report, scheduling the Annual Meeting for February 6th, 2025, and several program updates. Key updates covered the Weed Program, District activities, Small Grant Program and MDWC report, and the Foley Creek update. Discussions also included the introduction of a new employee, Amber Herman, an update on the Conservation Specialist and PSP Outreach, and various grant updates. The board planned to set the next meeting date for December 17th. The document also contains minutes from the September 24, 2024 meeting detailing financial report approval, weed program updates, watershed coordination, Foley Complex construction progress, and updates from NRCS and the North Unit Irrigation District. Furthermore, information from the October 27, 2024 meeting highlights focused on Drought Resiliency planning (including a winter Soil Health Workshop), SIA progress (Roberts project), Pesticides/Weeds grant management (Ashwood Ranchland meeting success), and ongoing small grant applications.

The meeting addressed key operational and project updates. Discussions covered the new OAHP Grant and plans for utilizing a small grant to assist landowners with seeding following the Cram Fire, including the decision to purchase a seed spreader. Financial activity for September 2025 was reviewed and approved. Updates were provided on the Juniper Management Grant, noting that the application and ranking process is being finalized with an anticipated fund reception in early October. The CREP grant submission was not recommended for funding by OWEB, prompting plans to seek support at an upcoming OWEB Board meeting. Progress continues on the Lateral 43 Grant for technical assistance, and feedback was positive following the OWRD Commission Tour. Updates were also given regarding the replacement of a weather station lost in the fire, a culvert project, the Foley Creek small grant, and an OWEB application for Trout Creek Phase II. The NRCS provided a check-in, indicating potential changes and support regarding the Cram Fire. Updates from NUID covered storage levels and construction projects, and a new Deschutes Watershed Coordinator expressed interest in coordinating on water quality data. Finally, it was noted that a new Weed Coordinator has been hired for Jefferson County Public Works.

The Jefferson County SWCD Board meeting included discussion and approval of the Program Year 2024 Annual Plan of Work, and the August 15, 2023 financial activity report. Updates were provided by the Conservation Specialists and the Trout Creek Project Manager. The Middle Deschutes Watershed Council provided an update covering council and admin activities, education initiatives, monitoring and research efforts, and restoration projects.