Annual Report FY 2011 Missoula Conservation District July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 The mission of Missoula Conservation

District is to provide private landowners in Missoula County with the tools, staff and resources to implement conservation practices which protect and promote the wise use of our natural resources. I. 310 Law. Missoula CD administers the Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act of 1975 known as the 310 Law within Missoula County. This state law administration takes up most of each months public meeting. In FY11, the District processed and field inspected the following 310s:
53 310 Applications/Permits (Including 12 Emergency Permit Requests in the Spring of 2011) Inspected on site by District and MFW&P 18 310 Complaints/Violations Inspection on site by District and MFW&P 89 310 Follow-up Inspections on Completed 310 Permits by District

Spring Flooding - Culvert Washout

Spring Flooding Bank Erosion

New Bridge Installation Lolo Creek

Reclamation Project Bonner Mill, Blackfoot River

II. District Cost-Share Program: Missoula Conservation District has an on-going cost-share program they finance each year with their own funds for implementation of conservation practices available to private landowners in the County. In 2011, the District contracted with 30 landowners/groups. Contracted practices include the following: forest pre-commercial thinning, weed control, streambank and riparian area restoration, cross-fencing for livestock control, irrigation conversion and water development.

Shelterbelt/Field Windbreak

Fencing for Livestock Control

Streambank Planting Ditch

Buried Irrigation Delivery Pipe Replacing Open

III.

Education Programs, Sponsorships, and Grants for Schools.

Missoula Conservation District supports education programs throughout Missoula County providing funding for the following projects. The District sponsored 5 Missoula County teams to the State Envirothon science competition, Ag in Montana Schools, Leave No Weeds Education Program put on through the County Weed District, and Watershed Education Network. Additionally, Missoula Conservation District provided funding for the Seeley Lake Out-Door Classroom project on Morrell Creek.

IV. Missoula Conservation District New Riparian Planting Mini-Grants Program.

With the Missoula Conservation Districts public education outreach on maintaining a healthy riparian area, and the increasing development along streams and rivers throughout Missoula County, the Missoula Conservation District has funded this mini-grant program to promote not only maintaining, but restoring riparian areas along our streams and rivers. The District hopes this program will be an effective education tool to show landowners how important riparian vegetation is to the land, to the landowner, and to the community. Missoula Conservation District has contracted with 10 individual landowners for funding of riparian planting in Missoula County since the beginning of the program.

Planting Into Existing Riprap with Stinger

Planting Following Rootwad Bank Stabilization

V.

On-Going Assistance to Private Landowners with Conservation Planning.

Missoula Conservation District continues to work with private landowners on planning and implementation of conservation practices. This service, maps, & accompanying materials are provided free to the public as a service of the Conservation District.

Spring Development/Repair

Inventories and Conservation Plan Development

Missoula Area Schools Excel at 16th Annual Montana Envirothon State Competition!
Missoula Conservation District sponsored 7 Teams to the 2011 Montana Envirothon Competition in Lewistown, MT April 18th & 19th. 35 students representing Big Sky High School, Hellgate High School, Missoula County FFA, and 1st time participants, Sentinel High School, and their Coach/Advisors Kathleen Kennedy, Big Sky High School, Darcy Hover & Eric Ojala, Hellgate High School, & Tom Andres, Missoula County FFA & Sentinel High School attended and competed for scholarships and a trip to the Canon Envirothon North America competition to be held in New Brunswick, Canada July 24th-29th. For more Info: www.montanaenvirothon.org. Missoula FFA 3rd Place Over All & 1st Place FFA Team

Hellgate High School2nd Place Over-All & Top Missoula FFA Team #22 Finals Oral Presentation Test Scores

Hellgate High School Team #21 Finals Oral Presentation Missoula FFA Team #23 3rd Place FFA