Crook CountySmall Acreage Workshop Series
CCNRD has applied for and received a grants (From the Small Acreage Issues Team/Non Point Source Task Force and Wyoming Community Foundation) to hold a series of Small Acreage Workshops to help small acreage landowners learn how to manage their properties responsibly and sustainably. Our first workshop was held in May2007 and was an all day "hands on" event in Moorcroft. Topics ranged from Livestock Disease and Care, Wildlife and Grazing Management to Living Snow Fences, Windbreaks, Defensible Space and Soils. There were afternoon field trips to a small acreage demonstrating forest management/defensible space and to a septic system to learn about design and how to conduct a percolation test.
In August 2007 CCNRD hosted two evening workshops. The first evening focused on Landscaping and Noxious Weeds and the second workshop focused on Grazing, AUM's and Wildlife. Additional workshops are planning for September (Forestry- defensible space, living snow fences, etc.) and October (Septic systems, soils and BMP's for water quality).
In November 2007 CCNRD hosted an evening workshop in Moorcroft in which speakers from Wyoming State Forestry and Wyoming Audubon gave presentations on Windbreak Design, Tree planting tips and creative ways to enhance wildlife on your property. Our next workshop is scheduled for February 2008 in Sundance.
Please call the office if you are interested in being added to our mailing list or for a packet of small acreage information.
Soil Mapping
CCNRD feels it is important to properly plan for building or developing a property, specifically for septic systems. Therefore, on of the first steps is to know what the soils are on your property and in turn use this information to further investigate the most suitable place for a septic system, road, house, driveway, etc. If you would like a soil map created for you of your property along with detailed information about each soil type, please call the office and we will send you a packet. You can also create a soil map from home by following the link to the NRCS Web Soil Survey (http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx)
BMP and Septic System Cost Share Program
One way to reduce the amount of fecal coliform entering the river is to implement Best managemtn Practices (BMP's)that are designed to remove non-point source pollution from waterways. As part of the Belle Fourche River Watershed Plan, CCNRD has a cost share program to implement BMP’s (to be shared at a 50% rate) for eligible landowners. The purpose of this cost-share program is to demonstrate BMP's that will assist in reducing water quality impacts from non-point sources such as: surface and ground water protection, animal waste management, runoff control, water source development, septic systems, wildlife concerns. Septic system projects are only funded for updating or replacing OLD or FAILING systems installed prior to 1986. We cannot cost share on brand new septic systems.
Applications are accepted anytime until all fund have been expended- through September 2009! To date, we have approximately $70,000 remaining. The Landowner Advisory Committee and CCNRD Board of Supervisors are involved in all aspects of this program and all applications are reviewed and ranked ANONYMOUSLY.
Since 2005, seven new projects have been approved and the process for implementing BMP’s has begun. Three of these projects have been completed. All of these projects will be used as an educational outreach tool for the cost share program and were approved by both the board, landowner advisory committee and Wyoming DEQ. Please contact Yarrow at the office for details about this program and eligibility criteria. You can also visit our FAQ page to learn whether or not you are eligible.
In October 2006, CCNRD and NRCS hosted a FALL TOUR OF BMP's in the Sundance area. It was a great opportunity for landowners, board members and staff to visit successful projects, ask questions and learn about our program. We visited a septic system rehabilitation project, wellhead protection project, corral fence relocation and water development project, winter pasture fencing relocation project. Many great discussions were generated and we are very grateful for all who participated.
Rural Wellhead Protection Project, NRCS Septic System Rehabilitation Project, 2006
Septic System Rehabilitation Project, 2006 Winter pasture fencing project, 2006-2007
Septic System Seminars & Workshops
Since failing or malfunctioning septic systems are thought to be one of the sources of fecal coliform contamination in the Belle Fourche River and Donkey Creek, CCNRD hosted a septic system seminar in February to provide information and education to Crook County residents about septic systems. The goal was to provide information on the septic system permitting process in Crook County, CCNRD's cost share program for septic systems, why it is important to maintain septic systems, why soils are important for septic systems and some new and alternative technologies for septics. OVER 100 PEOPLE ATTENDED THIS WORKSHOP! It was a huge success. We are currently funding 3 cost share projects and have received 2 more applications since the workshop.Due to the huge success of the previous seminar, another 2-day workshop was held on June 23rd and 24th in Sundance at the Crook County Basement Meeting Room. We had over 20 people in attendance and some excellent speakers who traveled from as far away as Utah. This workshop was designed to provide more detailed information on how a septic system works, how to properly maintain your system, what works and what doesn't, new and alternative technologies, how to design a septic system and read a soil map and much, much more. We had a demonstration on percolation tests and soil test pits with special guest speakers Nephi Cole and Judy Sims
In February 2007, we hosted another Septic System Seminar, in which over 30 people attended. Barb Coy, the Crook County Public Health Nurse, talked about the impact failing septic systems can have on the public health system and in turn tax payers. Dennis Lamb from Wyoming DEQ talked about the permitting process and answered questions about septic system design and how to fill out the paperwork. Fred Duncan, the Crook County Growth and Development Department Planner, discussed the Inspection process in Crook County and Nephi Cole, WACD/NRCS Watershed Coordinator, gave a very informative talk on Septic System Maintenance and Soils. Due to the success of these seminars, and feedback from attendees, another seminar is planned in Hulett near the end of April, 2007.
Please call the office if you would like to received a packet of information on what was presented at these workshop-- 283-2501.
New Conservation District Signs
Individuals traveling in or out of Crook County
will be able to see a few of the newly placed signs along the highways
throughout the county. The Crook County Natural Resource District,
in cooperation with the Campbell, Carter and Lawrence County
Conservation Districts, now have new signs located along the county line
routes in and out of Crook County.
Highways scheduled to receive new signs include: Hwy 212 at the South Dakota/Wyoming border (Butte County); Hwy 24 at the South Dakota/Wyoming border (Butte County); Hwy 212 at the Montana/Wyoming border (Carter County); Hwy 112 at the Wyoming/Montana border (Carter County); Interstate 90 at the Wyoming/South Dakota border (Lawrence County); Interstate 90 at the Crook County/Campbell County line and Highways 16, 116 and 585 at the Crook County/Weston County lines.
Base Road Living Snow Fence
The District was awarded a Living Snow Fence grant by the Wyoming State Forestry Division on April 30, 2004 to install a living snow fence on the Base Road (County Road 100), approximately 5 miles west of Sundance. The Wyoming State Forestry Honor Camp in Newcastle, Wyoming, was contacted and a crew was requested to build the exclusion fence, plant the trees, and install the weed barrier. The CCNRD, in cooperation with the Crook County Road and Bridge Department in Sundance, began the fall site prep on September 27, 2004. On May 9-10, 2005 the trees and weed barrier were installed at the site, completing the project. The District will be responsible for maintaining the site for five years.
