Lewis Soil Conservation District

                                   521 Oak  Street Room 8

Nezperce, Idaho  83543

Phone 1-208-937-2291 .... Fax 1-208-937-2234

Established ....June 17, 1941

Around the District

September 16, 2009   ###################################################################################################

Lewis Soil Conservation District Board Meeting ...

Monday-October 5, 2009 at 7:00 a.m.

USDA Service Center

521 Oak Street

     Nezperce, Idaho           

The public is encouraged to attend the District Board meeting, held in the conference room at the USDA Service Center.

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WEBPAGE LINKS       

Idaho Department of Ag. | Farm Service Agency

The Lewis Soil Conservation District Board of Supervisors

The board is made up of five elected local landowners

              Karol Holthaus - Administrative Assistant, Virginia Frazier - I & E Coordinator

In 1937, as the Dust bowl and Great Depression raged, president 

Roosevelt recommended to the governors of the states the formation of 

Soil Conservation Districts to enhance and protect soil resources and the 

nation's productivity.

     Since about three-fourths of the continental United States is privately 

owned, Congress realized that only active, voluntary support from landowners 

would guarantee the success of conservation work on private land.

     Idaho created the Soil Conservation Commission in 1939.  One year 

later,the Commission had developed a four-point program for District 

organization and established Idaho's first five districts. By 1944 there 

were 11 Districts, today there are 51.  Nation-wide there are about 

3000 Conservation Districts.

     The Lewis Soil Conservation District was formed in May of 1941, in a coffee shop by area farmers and 

ranchers, centering around resource concerns near the north central Idaho communities of Nezperce and 

Craigmont.

Using Best Management Practices (BMPs) is the primary step in protecting groundwater quality in the agricultural sector. BMPs are currently voluntary in Idaho, but they are often encouraged through cost sharing programs and payments.

Project Setting

The Lawyer Creek Watershed, 137,357 acres in size, encompasses Lewis and Idaho Counties in North Central Idaho. Lawyer Creek, a third-order stream, is 67.6 miles long and drains an area of 210 square miles. The Lawyer Creek watershed extends west from the Clearwater River to the headwaters areas of Cottonwood Butte. Lawyer Creek provides spawning and rearing habitat for steelhead trout (Kucera et al 1983). The predominant land uses within the drainage are agricultural, rangeland, pastureland, and forest lands. Primary tributaries to Lawyer Creek include Sevenmile Creek and Willow Creek. This low-gradient stream (3%) flows in an easterly direction crossing elevations ranging from 1,320 feet to 5,730 feet. The watershed is susceptible to winter rains and rain-on-snow runoff events. Climate in the Lawyer Creek watershed is characterized by sub-humid with cool moist winters and warm dry summers. The average annual precipitation for the drainage ranges from 20 to 25 inches, with over 30 inches falling in the Cottonwood Butte area.

The Lewis Soil Conservation District has funding available from the Snake River Basin Adjudication (SRBA) agreement. This Lawyer Creek Steelhead Habitat Restoration Project will provide cost share funds to implement agricultural best management practices (BMP's) to address steam bank stabilization, stream bank treatments and invasive weed treatments and upland habitat treatment.

Cooperators who would like to receive cost share for implementing BMP's such as residue and nutrient management, animal feeding operations, pasture management, riparian restoration please contact the Lewis Soil Conservation District,           208-937-2291 ext 3. 

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Arbor Day

Do you know how Arbor Day began? A man named J. Sterling Morton, from Nebraska, originally started Arbor Day.  He was the editor of Nebraska's first newspaper. He organized a contest to promote tree plantings for one day. Nearly one million trees were planted in cities and towns in Nebraska on April 10, 1872, the first Arbor Day.  In 1885, the Nebraska state legislature named Arbor Day a legal holiday and selected April 22, Morton's birthday, as the date for its permanent observance.  Today, all states memorialize Arbor Day by legislation, official proclamation, or public acclaim, although the dates may vary according to local climate. Officially the last Friday of April is celebrated as National Arbor Day.

Arbor Day Celebration April 24, 2009

The Lewis Soil Conservation District (LSCD) with cooperation from the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) and City of Nezperce were busy with the Arbor Day event on Friday, April 24, 2009.  IDL taught the students from Nezperce and Highland the proper way of planting trees and shrubs. The high school students took the lead digging the holes for the trees while the K-6^th grade students put the trees in the holes.  Over all 600 trees and shrubs were planted next to the Highland football field, Nezperce football field and around the school.  Students from Nezperce High School also participated in the plantings at the Nezperce Senior Citizen Center. Following the plantings the City of Nezperce provided lunch at the City Park.

Each student received a pine tree to take home and the printed directions how to plant it.

The LSCD would like to thank IDL’s personnel, Kaci Schaeffer, for organizing the event with the City and schools, JeAnn Willson and Jermiah Miller, for the instructions given to the students of all ages. And also thank you to the Highland and Nezperce Schools, and The City of Nezperce for making the Arbor Day Celebration one to be remembered.  

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Hatchery in the Classroom

The Lewis Soil Conservation District (LSCD) Educational Outreach Programs sponsors “Hatchery in the Classroom". The Nezperce High School biology class receives steelhead eggs provided from the Dworshak National Fish Hatchery (DNFH). Through this program, students learn about steelhead in hatcheries and in their natural environment by rearing them from egg to fry (young fish, not a way to cook them). The Hatchery staff provides training in the use of the hatchery equipment and fish care. The students are responsible for feeding the fish, cleaning the tank and monitoring fish survival, health and growth. In May, the LSCD, Hatchery staff and the Nezperce students go on a field trip to release the fish which have grown to 2-3 inches in length. This program provides tremendous educational experiences for the students. They learn about growth charts, survival rates and the importance of water quality to fish survival.

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2009 Conservation 6th Grade Field Day

The 37^th Annual 6^th Grade Field Day was held at Winchester Lake State Park on Friday, May 22, 2009.  The weather was perfect for the sixth grade students from Nezperce, Highland, Culdesac, Prairie, and Kamiah to participate. The students rotated to the eight different “stations” throughout the day.  Nature Trail was guided by Rich Talbott, a private forestry; Canoeing was supervised by Vern McMaster, Chuck Frazier, Virginia Frazier, Seth Frazier, Lyle Kuther, and Clinton Holthaus. Wolf Education was taught by Randy Stewart and Lindsay Rasmovich; Forestry was taught by the Idaho Department of Lands employees, Clark Christiansen, JeAnn Willson, Matt Blewett, and Scott Bonk.  Fire Control was instructed by Idaho Department of Lands employees, Jeremiah Miller, and Dane Merrill. Soil and Geology was instructed by Eileen Rowan, Soil Conservation Commission. Lake Health and Safety was taught by Brad Bickford and Ryan Banks, Idaho Fish and Game. Indian Folklore stories were told by Lonnie Lane.  The Winchester Quick Response, with Jeremy Heft, Randy Moore and Sarah Berna was on site to provide first aid if needed.

The Lewis Soil Conservation District provided lunch for all the instructors, prepared by Karol Holthaus, Gina Holthaus, & Blayne Mosman.

Thanks to Winchester State Park for use of the wonderful facility so the 116, 6^th grade students could spent the day learning about the world around them, and enjoying the day of sunshine. 

                  Canoe Station              Eileen Rowan Geology class                     Clark Christiansen Forestry                        IDL Fire Station   

                            Rich Talbott  Nature Trail                      Fish and Lake Health             Indian Forklore Stories                                 Wolf Education

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 THE WORM RACES 2009

The 5th Annual Work Race was held at the Highland School Cafeteria on Friday, May 8, 2009.  The class began with "Race Like a Worm" having the students hold a spoon with a golf gall and then squiggling through the course as fast as they could aerate the pretend soil, just like the worms do.  Then a talk about the soil with Professor S.K. Worm giving the lesson on: Parent Material, Color of Soil, What Weather Does to the Soil, How Soil Holds Water, Plant Roots Don't Eat Pizza or Ice Cream, How Air Gets Into the Soil and Soil Doesn't Care About Time.

Then it was time for the worm race. Even though the classes cheered loud and hard the worms just didn't want to race.  So this year the races was declared a tie. All the classes received  prizes and each student received a Professor S.K. Worm certificate of participation.

The Lewis Soil Conservation District would like to thank Mrs. Meacham's Kindergarten class, Mrs. Tiede's 1st Grade class and Mrs. Gross's 2nd grade class for letting the students participate and showing great excitement and attention.

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                       Left to Right:  Arika Arnzen, 3rd place, Sarah Mosman 1st place and Anissa Holmberg, 2nd place

Sarah Mosman wins 1st Place IASCD Poster Contest

Three students from Nezperce Elementary School were announced as the local winners of the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation District (IASCD) poster contest for 2008 by Richard Pentzer, chairman of the Lewis Soil Conservation District.

First place went to Sarah Mosman, daughter of Dave and Cathy Mosman.  She received a check for $30.00 and a participant ribbon. 

Second place went to Anissa Holmberg, daughter of Jamie and Curtis Allen and Nathan Holmberg.  She received a check for $20 and a participant ribbon.

Third place went Arika Arnzen, daughter of Chris and Lisa Arnzen. She received a check for $10 and a participant ribbon.

The three winning posters competed for the Division II title October 8, 2008 in Grangeville. We are proud to announce  Arika Arnzen's poster placed 1st and Sarah Mosman's place 2nd at the Division II competition. The two poster will be taken to Coeur dÁlene in November and judged at the Idaho Association of Soil Conservation District Conference at the state level competition.

The posters were done last school year.  The Lewis Soil Conservation District would like to thank the teachers, Alia Riggers, Danette Horrock and Teresa Reid from Highland School District, and Rhonda Seitz, Gay Roberts, and Kim Uhlorn from the Nezperce School District and also extend a big thank you to all the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th grade students who took the time to design and draw a poster for the contest.

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Report of 2009

 Mission Statement: 

The Lewis Soil Conservation District is dedicated to conserving natural resources and promoting sound management practices that protect the environment and are economically feasible and productive.

Water Quality

Goal: To eliminate or reduce nutrient and sediment within the District, by developing and implementing conservation plans to implement Best Management Practices (BMP's) to help reduce leaching of nutrients out of the root zone

Objective:  The objective of this resource concern is to improve Water Quality throughout the District, both surface and groundwater quality

Nutrient Management /Soil Health

Goal:  Implementation of conservation systems to reduce nutrient runoff and leaching by proper rate, timing, and placement of nutrients.  To improve soil heath through good sound tillage practices and continue to implement nutrient management plans.

Objective: The objective of his natural resource concern is to implement and promote nutrient management practices to maintain, restore, or enhance soil resources asssociated with agricultural and forest land uses while  sustaining productity.

Reduce Soil Erosion

Goal:  To reduce erosion to acceptable levels by effective cost share means improving soil resources and soil health on non-irrigated cropland, rangeland, and riparian areas.

Objective:  The objective of this priority is to reduce soil erosion while maintaining crop productivity

 -  Articles printed in our local county newspaper and 2 newsletters published  

 -  Conservation, state and federal programs and District I&E efforts reaching 900 subscribers.     

-  Arbor Day tree planting was with local students and teachers assisting with a beatification project at the Highland and Nezperce schools and in Nezperce at the Senior Citizen Center. 

-   An educational worm races for worm habitat conservation was held for kids K-2 on May 8^th  at  Highland Elementary in Craigmont.

-  Annual IASCD poster contest to Nezperce and Highland  School Districts with great participation

-  This was our 37th Annual “Sixth Grade Field Day” held on May 22^8h.  Five schools attended this year totaling 116 students who rotated between 8 different conservation stations.

- “Hatchery in the Classroom” was held  in cooperation with the Nezperce School District and Dworshak Fisheries.  This program instructs students on salmon habitat and their struggle to survive.  Small fingerling fish were released on May 21st. 

-  The District participates each year in the Lewis County Fair setting up a conservation booth.    

- On June 23rd  the District held their annual Cooperators Appreciation Day and BBQ.  The afternoon was  spent trap shooting at the Nezperce Gun Club.   In the a family BBQ was  held at Nezperce Lions Park.

- On June 30th  the District held their annual Conservation Crop Tour and Breakfast. Breakfast to served at 7:00 at Serenity Cafe in Nezperce and tour bus to leave at 8:00.   

- The District webpage is updated bi-weekly @http://web.camasnet.com/~lewisscd/. 

The District coordinates with the cities of Craigmont and Nezperce for an Arbor Day Celebration 

This year the city of Nezperce provided lunch for the youth and staff who planted over 600 trees.  

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***Click on the Idaho One Plan link below and this will that you to the Idaho Soil Conservation Commission website.  Click on programs to access the  

  IDAHO ONE PLAN

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The purpose of Idaho's Soil Conservation Districts are to help landowners conserve our natural resources. They accomplish this through:

- Erosion Control: Protecting and maintaining the productivity of Idaho's topsoil.

- Nonpoint Source Pollution Control: Keeping sediment, nutrients, and chemicals out of our state's waters.

- Groundwater Protection: Addressing aquifer depletion, natural and artificial recharge, and aquifer restoration and quality.

- Watershed Protection: Installing conservation systems on cropland, rangeland, and forestland; enhancing fish and wildlife habitat; protecting riparian areas.

- Wetlands Protection and Enhancement: Developing rural and urban wetlands for the benefit on the aquifer, wildlife, and the people of Idaho.

- Urban Activities: Aiding developers and home-owners in conservation practices to control sediment and erosion and to better manage stormwater.

- Education: Working with educators, media, and others to encourage a conservation ethic in all Idahoans. The Lewis SCD publishes news articles in in the local paper to keep area farmers and ranchers informed.

**** Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Wetland Reserve Program (WRP), and the Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) go to the Idaho NRCS link above. 

****For information on the State Revolving Fund loan program or the Resource Conservation Rangeland Development Program (RCRDP) Grant Program click on the Idaho Soil Conservation Commission link above.