State Soil and Water Conservation Commission public meetings in 2021
11 substantive meetings from 2021, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
State Soil and Water Conservation Commission
The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will hold a regular meeting to consider the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement, receive reports from the NRCS and LSU AgCenter, and address board resignations, appointments, and reappointments. The agenda also includes approval of previous minutes and public comment periods.
- NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement (unfinished business)
- Area 3 and 4 State Convention Results
- LACD Annual Meeting / NACD Annual Meeting updates
- Supervisor Resignation/Appointments/Reappointments
- NRCS State Conservationist Report and LSU AgCenter Report
The Commission accepted election results for Area III and IV members and approved a supervisor appointment for DeSoto SWCD. The board also authorized out-of-state travel for Crescent SWCD and approved a one-time performance award. Other discussions included NRCS vaccination protocols and LSU AgCenter precision agriculture initiatives.
- Accepted Area III Member Ruben Dauzat and Alternate Ed Giering (unanimous)
- Accepted Area IV Member Earl Garber and Alternate Ben Langlinais (unanimous)
- Approved appointment of Ricky Weeks to DeSoto SWCD (unanimous)
- Approved out-of-state travel for five Crescent SWCD representatives to Orlando, FL (unanimous)
- Approved $500 one-time meritorious award for Patches McDaniel (unanimous)
- Approved December 7, 2021 agenda (unanimous)
- Approved October 26, 2021 minutes (unanimous)
State Soil and Water Conservation Commission
The Commission will meet via Zoom to review minutes from the September 28, 2021 meeting and address unfinished business. The agenda includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter, as well as discussions regarding COVID field office requirements.
- NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
- Area 3 and 4 State Convention
- COVID Field Office Requirements & Options
- Supervisor Resignations, Appointments, and Reappointments
The Commission approved several personnel changes for soil and water conservation districts and authorized a specific audit contract. Members also reviewed NRCS funding caps and COVID-19 vaccine exception templates for district employees.
- Approved resignation of Ronald Kenneth Jeane from Dugdemona SWCD (unanimous)
- Approved appointment of Tim Collins to Saline SWCD (unanimous)
- Approved reappointments for Leroy Kirby III (Caddo), Jennifer Coats (Capital), and David Manuel (D’Arbonne) (unanimous)
- Approved Avoyelles SWCD agreement with J Aaron Cooper, CPA LLC for FYE June 30, 2021 audits at $575 (unanimous)
- Approved out-of-state travel for seven individuals to attend NACD Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL (unanimous)
- Approved contribution to the LACD scholarship in recognition of Max Johnston (unanimous)
- Approved October 26, 2021 agenda (unanimous)
- Approved September 28, 2021 minutes (unanimous)
State Soil and Water Conservation Commission
The Commission will meet virtually to address unfinished business and new items. The agenda includes reports on field office requirements and updates from the NRCS and LSU AgCenter.
- NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
- District Funding
- 2021 LACD Mid-Year Meeting
- Area 3 and 4 State Convention
- COVID Field Office Requirements & Options
The Commission authorized the drafting of vaccine exemption and teleworking guidance for district employees. It also approved several supervisor appointments, resignations, and audit agreements for various soil and water conservation districts.
- Approved drafting of vaccine exemption reasonable accommodations and teleworking guidance (Unanimous)
- Approved resignations of H.C. Peck Jr. (Catahoula), Max Johnston (Rapides), and Danny Coombs (Rapides) (Unanimous)
- Approved appointments of Mervin Parker (Dugdemona), Danny Coombs (Rapides), Richard Melder (Rapides), and Trey Decker (Rapides) (Unanimous)
- Approved reappointments of Daniel DeLee Jr. (Feliciana) and Ben Langlinais (Iberia) (Unanimous)
- Approved audit agreements for Caddo and St. Landry SWCD ($575) and Gulf Coast SWCD (up to $5,000) (Unanimous)
- Approved shared employee agreements for a secretary and technician between Lower Delta and Upper Delta SWCD (Unanimous)
- Approved September 28, 2021 agenda as revised to include Federal Shutdown (Unanimous)
- Approved August 24, 2021 meeting minutes (Unanimous)
State Soil and Water Conservation Commission
The Commission will conduct a meeting to approve July minutes and address unfinished business regarding farm bill agreements and district funding. The agenda also includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter.
- NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
- District Funding
- Supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments
The Commission voted to compose a resolution supporting a constitutional amendment regarding the Chenier Plain Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority. Members also approved several district appointments and a financial audit agreement. Other discussions focused on COVID-19 mitigation and NRCS staffing.
- Approved motion to compose resolution supporting Oct. 9 constitutional amendment (Unanimous)
- Approved resignation of Saline SWCD member David Nolte (Unanimous)
- Approved appointment of John Lowery to Boeuf River SWCD (Unanimous)
- Approved appointment of H.C. Peck III to Catahoula SWCD (Unanimous)
- Approved appointment of Stuart Shaw to Red River SWCD (Unanimous)
- Approved St. Martin SWCD audit agreement with Maraist & Maraist, CPA LLC for $1,500 (Unanimous)
- Approved shared employee agreement between Catahoula SWCD and LaSalle SWCD (Unanimous)
- Approved August 24, 2021 agenda and July 21, 2021 minutes (Unanimous)
State Soil and Water Conservation Commission
The Commission will meet to discuss unfinished business regarding the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and district funding. The agenda also includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter, as well as discussion on a feral swine project.
- NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
- District Funding
- Feral Swine Project
- Supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments
The Commission approved the appointment of Rick Adams to the Bodcau SWCD and authorized travel requests for the NACD South Central Regional Conference. Members also received reports on Farm Bill funding and NRCS program obligations.
- Approved appointment of Rick Adams to Bodcau SWCD (unanimous)
- Approved out-of-state travel requests for NACD South Central Regional Conference (unanimous)
- Approved July 21, 2021 agenda (unanimous)
- Approved June 22, 2021 minutes (unanimous)
State Soil and Water Conservation Commission
The Commission will meet to conduct routine business, including approving May 25 minutes and addressing supervisor appointments. The agenda includes updates on the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter.
- NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement update
- Supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments
- NRCS State Conservationist Report
- LSU AgCenter Report
- Meritorious Achievement Award discussion
The Commission approved the reappointment of two soil and water conservation district supervisors and authorized a one-time performance award. The board also accepted disqualification letters for two candidates in the 2021 Supervisor Election and approved out-of-state travel requests.
- Approved reappointment of Thomas Mayes (Allen SWCD) for term ending July 27, 2024 (Unanimous)
- Approved reappointment of Jarrod Blake McCartney (Red River SWCD) for term ending August 30, 2024 (Unanimous)
- Approved $500 meritorious award for Denise Simon of Vermillion SWCD (Unanimous)
- Accepted disqualification of Kenneth Halley (D’Arbonne SWCD) and William Bagley (DeSoto SWCD) from 2021 Supervisor Election (Unanimous)
- Approved out-of-state travel for Crescent SWCD and Vermillion SWCD members (Unanimous)
- Approved June 22, 2021 agenda (Unanimous)
- Approved May 25, 2021 minutes as amended (Unanimous)
State Soil and Water Conservation Commission
The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will meet on May 25, 2021, to consider unfinished business including the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement, the legislative regular session, and the June 2021 district supervisor election. New business items include supervisor resignations and appointments, reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter, and a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement. The commission will also approve the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting.
- NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
- District Supervisor Election – June 2021
- Supervisors Resignation/Appointments/Reappointments
- NRCS State Conservationist Report
- Cooperative Endeavor Agreement
The Commission approved 36 unopposed candidates for District Supervisor positions and processed several resignations, appointments, and reappointments. It also authorized out-of-state travel for East Carroll SWCD and requested that DeSoto SWCD appoint a new supervisor.
- Approved 36 unopposed candidates for District Supervisor elections (unanimous)
- Requested DeSoto SWCD appoint a person to fill the vacant seat formerly held by William Bagley (unanimous)
- Approved resignations of Randal Drew Lafler (Bodcau), Robert Bruce Frazier (Dugdemona), and Elliot Colvin (Boeuf River) (unanimous)
- Approved appointment of John Patrick to Feliciana SWCD (unanimous)
- Approved reappointments of Robert Dale Thibodeaux (Acadia), Bradley Pousson (Gulf Coast), and Robert Morris (Upper Delta) (unanimous)
- Approved out-of-state travel request for East Carroll SWCD to attend NACD meeting in Chicago (unanimous)
- Approved sending a special recognition letter to Robert Bruce Frazier (unanimous)
- Approved April 27, 2021 agenda and March 23, 2021 minutes (unanimous)
State Soil and Water Conservation Commission
The Commission is meeting to address unfinished business regarding a Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and state funding for the legislative session. The body will also discuss the District Supervisor Election scheduled for June 12, 2021.
- NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
- Legislative Regular Session/State Funding
- District Supervisor Election-June 12, 2021
- Supervisors Resignation/Appointments/Reappointments
- NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter reports
The Commission approved several personnel changes, including the appointment and reappointment of district supervisors. It also voted to waive attendance requirements for five supervisors and established an ad hoc committee to refine future waiver criteria.
- Waived attendance requirements for supervisors from Boeuf River, Caddo, East Carroll, Lower Delta, and Natchitoches districts (Unanimous)
- Approved resignations of Jason Anderson (Red River SWCD) and Carolyn Falgout (Tangipahoa St. Helena SWCD) (Unanimous)
- Approved appointment of Carolyn Fannin to Catahoula SWCD (Unanimous)
- Approved three-year reappointments for supervisors in Bogue-Chitto, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Tangipahoa-St. Helena, and St. Martin districts (Unanimous)
- Formed ad hoc committee (Brad Spicer, Reggie Skains, Joey Breaux) to create specific criteria for attendance waiver letters
- Approved April 27, 2021 agenda (Unanimous)
- Approved March 23, 2021 minutes (Unanimous)
State Soil and Water Conservation Commission
The Commission will conduct business including the approval of February meeting minutes and updates on legislative funding. The agenda also includes discussions regarding supervisor appointments and upcoming elections.
- Approval of February 23 and February 25, 2021 meeting minutes
- NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement update
- Supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments
- June 12, 2021 District Supervisor Election
- Reports from NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter
The Commission approved the reappointment of six district supervisors and waived attendance requirements for three others. It also accepted two resignations and approved a $3,500 service agreement for Vermillion SWCD.
- Waived attendance requirements for Larry Fontenot (Evangeline SWCD), Andy Anders (Tensas-Concordia SWCD), and Robert Morris (Upper Delta SWCD)
- Approved resignation of Howard Hardie (Catahoula SWCD) effective March 28, 2021
- Approved resignation of Billy Shaw (Red River SWCD) effective March 1, 2021
- Approved 3-year reappointments for Dustin Morris, Billy Gaines, Walter Tortorich, Timothy Allen, Daniel Luke, and Andy Anders
- Approved $3,500 agreement between Vermillion SWCD and Langlinais, Broussard, Kohlenberg
- Approved motion to send a letter thanking Anita Manshack for service to Sabine SWCD
State Soil and Water Conservation Commission
The commission will discuss unfinished business regarding the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and a summary of the NACD Annual Meeting. New business items include supervisor appointments, upcoming district elections, and reports from the NRCS and LSU AgCenter.
- NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement discussion
- NACD Annual Meeting Summary review
- Supervisor Resignation/Appointments/Reappointments
- District Supervisor Election scheduled for June 12, 2021
- NRCS State Conservation Report
The Commission approved one resignation, one appointment, and two reappointments for district supervisors. The board also approved the 2021 District Supervisor Election packet for distribution to districts. No other substantive policy decisions were made.
- Approved resignation of Andrew Grezaffi (Feliciana SWCD) effective Feb 23, 2021 (unanimous)
- Approved appointment of Jeffrey Manuel (Allen SWCD) for term ending June 30, 2024 (unanimous)
- Approved reappointment of Larry Sayes (Avoyelles SWCD) for term ending Feb 27, 2024 (unanimous)
- Approved reappointment of Leon Keith Latiolais (St. Landry SWCD) for term ending March 26, 2024 (unanimous)
- Approved District Supervisor Election packet for June 12, 2021 elections (unanimous)
- Approved February 23, 2021 agenda with corrections (unanimous)
- Approved January 26, 2021 meeting minutes (unanimous)
State Soil and Water Conservation Commission
The Commission will meet to approve previous minutes and address unfinished business regarding the NRCS/OSCW Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement. The agenda also includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter.
- Approval of December 8, 2020 Commission Minutes
- NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement discussion
- Sexual Harassment Training for Commission Members
- NRCS State Conservationist Report
- LSU AgCenter Report
The Commission adopted the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry's sexual harassment policy and approved two supervisor appointments. Members also approved conservation servitude documents for the Calcasieu Soil and Water District and mandated the completion of Grassroots reports for legislative outreach.
- Approved December 8, 2020 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved resolution adopting LDAF sexual harassment policy and delegating training and investigation duties (unanimous)
- Approved appointment of Tyler Clark to Lafayette SWCD (unanimous)
- Approved appointment of Bartol Taliancich to Plaquemines SWCD (unanimous)
- Approved Conservation Servitude Management & Monitoring Agreement and Conservation Servitude for Calcasieu SWCD and St. Gabriel Resources, LLC
- Approved requirement for districts to complete Grassroots reports before the 2021 Legislative Session (unanimous)