State Soil and Water Conservation Commission public meetings in 2022

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission is meeting to discuss unfinished business regarding the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and annual meetings. The agenda also includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist, LSU AgCenter, and OSWC, as well as supervisor appointments.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• LACD and NACD Annual Meetings
• NRCS State Conservationist Report
• LSU AgCenter Report
• Supervisors resignations, appointments, and reappointments

The Commission approved a revised list of goals for Louisiana Conservation Districts and processed several supervisor resignations and appointments. The meeting also included reports on NRCS funding and the Prescribed Burn Manager Program.

• Approved December 6, 2022 agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved October 25, 2022 minutes (Unanimous)
• Approved resignations of Anthony Butler, George Larry Sanderson, Henry Schumacher, and Mark Engemann (Unanimous)
• Approved appointments of Keli Hayden, Anthony Butler, Rowdy Sanderson, and Curtis Engemann (Unanimous)
• Approved revised Louisiana Soil and Water Conservation Commission Goals for LA Conservation Districts (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will discuss reports from the NRCS, LSU AgCenter, and OSWC. The body is scheduled to address supervisor appointments and the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• Area 5 SWCC Election Convention
• CPA-SWCD Agreements
• Supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments
• Commission Goals

The Commission approved the election of Steve Horvath and Chris Martin to Area V positions. It also authorized CPA engagement letters for Capital and St. Landry districts and processed several supervisor appointments and one resignation.

• Approved Area V election results: Steve Horvath (Member) and Chris Martin (Alternate) (Unanimous)
• Approved $575 CPA engagement letter for Capital SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved $575 CPA engagement letter for St. Landry SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved resignation of Jennifer Coats, Capital SWCD, effective Oct 17, 2022 (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Paul Dickson, Caddo SWCD, effective Oct 27, 2022 (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Allen Evans, Caddo SWCD, effective Oct 27, 2022 (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Willis Nelson, East Carroll SWCD, effective Oct 25, 2022 (Unanimous)
• Approved October 25, 2022 agenda and September 27, 2022 minutes (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will meet to review previous meeting minutes and address unfinished business. The agenda includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter, as well as discussions regarding supervisor appointments and commission goals.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• CPA-SWCD Agreements
• Ag NPS Abatement Program report
• Supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments

The Commission approved four CPA engagement letters for soil and water conservation districts and authorized a letter to Senator Johnson regarding the Good Neighbor Authority Improvement Act. Additionally, the body approved one new appointment and two re-appointments for supervisor positions.

• Approved CPA engagement letters for Caddo ($575), D’Arbonne ($650), Lower Delta ($575), and Upper Delta ($575) SWCDs (Unanimous)
• Approved writing a letter to Senator Johnson to amend the Good Neighbor Authority Improvement Act to include soil and water conservation districts (Unanimous)
• Approved re-appointments of Reggie Skains and Stephen “Burt” Lensing (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Louis Clay Brignac to the Evangeline SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved September 27, 2022 agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved August 23, 2022 minutes (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will meet to approve the agenda and minutes from July, then take up unfinished business including the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and district funding. New business includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter, as well as supervisor resignations, appointments, and a meritorious award. The meeting is scheduled for August 23, 2022 at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Baton Rouge.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• District Funding
• NACD South Central Meeting in Baton Rouge, LA
• LACD Mid-Year Meeting on September 27, 2022
• Supervisors Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments

The Commission approved three supervisor re-appointments and one resignation. It also approved a performance award for a district secretary. Members discussed budget burdens, Farm Bill fund allocations, and goals for supervisor personnel management.

• Approved resignation of Walter Tortorich, Evangeline SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved re-appointment of Robert Judice Jr., Iberia SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved re-appointment of Edward Yerger, Madison SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved re-appointment of Dr. Ernest Girouard, Vermillion SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved $1,310 exceptional performance award for Mitzi Dohrman, Vermillion SWCD Secretary (Unanimous)
• Approved August 23, 2022 agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved July 26, 2022 minutes (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will address unfinished business including the SWCD proposed budget and various cooperative agreements. New business items include reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter, as well as appointments for the Feral Hog Task Force.

• SWCD Proposed Budget discussion
• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement review
• Feral Hog Task Force Appointment
• Supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments
• CPA-SWCD Agreements review

The Commission approved CPA engagement letters for three soil and water conservation districts and authorized out-of-state travel for a training class. The board also processed three supervisor resignations and four new appointments. Additionally, the Commission received reports on the Red River Compact and NRCS funding.

• Approved CPA engagement for Calcasieu SWCD (not to exceed $3,000) (Unanimous)
• Approved CPA engagement for Lafayette SWCD ($750) (Unanimous)
• Approved CPA engagement for St. Martin SWCD ($1,500) (Unanimous)
• Approved out-of-state travel for Morehouse SWCD to attend training in Lubbock, TX (Unanimous)
• Approved resignations of Jacob Marceaux, Charles House, and Jeremy Slade (Unanimous)
• Approved appointments of Mike Lavergne, Jeremy Wood, Jeramy Slade, and Lewis Lauve (Unanimous)
• Approved July 26, 2022 agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved June 28, 2022 minutes (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will meet to discuss unfinished business including a Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and legislative session updates. The body will also review reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter, as well as supervisor appointment and election results.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• District Supervisor Election Results from June 11, 2022
• Supervisors resignations, appointments, and reappointments
• CPA-SWCD Agreements
• NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter reports

The Commission approved a CPA service agreement for LaSalle SWCD and processed several supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments. The board also accepted the election results for the Bogue Chitto-Pearl River SWCD.

• Approved May 24, 2022 minutes (Unanimous)
• Approved CPA agreement for LaSalle SWCD with John R. Vercher for $500-$700 (Unanimous)
• Approved resignations of Donavon Taves (East Carroll SWCD) and Edwin Lashney (Rapides SWCD) (Unanimous)
• Approved reappointment of Charles Istre (Allen SWCD) through July 27, 2025 (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Edwin Lashney (Rapides SWCD) through June 26, 2025 (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Paul Alford (Tangipahoa-St. Helena SWCD) through June 30, 2025 (Unanimous)
• Accepted re-election of Mark Magee to Bogue Chitto-Pearl River SWCD board (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will meet on May 24, 2022, at 1:15 PM in Baton Rouge. The agenda includes approval of previous minutes, unfinished business on the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and legislative session, and new business such as reports from NRCS and LSU AgCenter, plus supervisor resignations/appointments and an election on June 11, 2022. Public comment periods are scheduled.

• Unfinished Business: NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• Unfinished Business: Legislative Regular Session update
• New Business: NRCS State Conservationist Report
• New Business: District Supervisor Election on June 11, 2022
• New Business: Supervisor resignations/appointments/reappointments

The Commission approved the election of 38 unopposed district supervisors and processed seven reappointments. The board also waived attendance requirements for two supervisors and accepted two resignations. Additionally, the Commission adopted a new template for area reports.

• Approved 38 unopposed district supervisors for the 2022 election (unanimous)
• Approved reappointments for 7 supervisors including Earl Garber and Chandra Chauvin (unanimous)
• Waived attendance requirements for Gary Greene (Dorcheat SWCD) and Michael Elliott (West Carroll SWCD) (unanimous)
• Approved resignations of Larry Gillespie (Rapides SWCD) and Hubert Yarborough (Tangipahoa-St. Helena SWCD) (unanimous)
• Approved May 24, 2022 agenda (unanimous)
• Approved April 19, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
• Adopted new template for area presentations with added columns for partnerships and cooperative agreements

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will meet to consider unfinished business including the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement, the LACD Annual Meeting, and the legislative regular session. New business items include reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter, as well as the upcoming district supervisor election and supervisor resignations/appointments/reappointments. The agenda is tentative until 24 hours before the meeting.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• LACD Annual Meeting – April 19-21, 2022
• Legislative Regular Session
• District Supervisor Election – June 11, 2022
• Supervisors Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission approved the appointment of William “Bill” Bresher to the Tangipahoa-St. Helena SWCD and the reappointment of Chris Mattingly to the Lower Delta SWCD. The board also received reports on NRCS staffing, feral swine management funding, and upcoming district elections.

• Approved appointment of William “Bill” Bresher to Tangipahoa-St. Helena SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved reappointment of Chris Mattingly to Lower Delta SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved April 19, 2022 agenda (unanimous)
• Approved March 29, 2022 minutes (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission approved five new supervisor appointments and four reappointments for various soil and water conservation districts. It also approved a meritorious performance award for a district secretary. The meeting included reports on NRCS funding and upcoming conservation events.

• Approved February 22, 2022 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved appointments for East Carroll, Lafayette, LaSalle, Rapides, and Red River SWCDs (unanimous)
• Approved reappointments for Boeuf River, Dorcheat, Dugdemona, and Grant SWCDs (unanimous)
• Approved $985.00 exceptional performance award for Cecilia Spiess, Tangipahoa-St. Helena SWCD Secretary (unanimous)
• Rescheduled April 26, 2022 meeting to April 19, 2022 at 10 AM (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will meet via teleconference to discuss unfinished business and new reports. Items on the agenda include updates on state conservation law revisions and upcoming supervisor elections.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement discussion
• State Conservation Law Revision regarding Soil Health
• District Supervisor Election scheduled for June 11, 2022
• Review of supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments
• Approval of February 22, 2022 Commission Meeting Minutes

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will meet to review reports from the NRCS and LSU AgCenter. The body is scheduled to discuss the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and the June 11, 2022, District Supervisor Election.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• District Supervisor Election on June 11, 2022
• Gulf Hypoxia Resolution Draft and Legislative Funding Resolution Draft
• Supervisors resignations, appointments, and reappointments
• Approval of January 22, 2022 meeting minutes

The Commission approved resolutions to request $1 million in state match funds and funding for hypoxia reduction. Members also approved the 2022 District Supervisor Election packet and several personnel changes for local conservation districts.

• Approved resolution requesting $1 million non-discretionary annual addition for state match funds (Unanimous)
• Approved submission of Gulf Hypoxia and Legislative Funding resolutions pending final review by Doug Daigle (Unanimous)
• Approved District Supervisor Election packet for June 11, 2022 elections (Unanimous)
• Approved resignations of 5 district supervisors (Unanimous)
• Approved appointments of 5 district supervisors (Unanimous)
• Approved reappointments of 7 district supervisors (Unanimous)
• Approved $250 exceptional performance awards for Rose Sharbeno and Jesse Louvier of Calcasieu SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved January 25, 2022 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will meet via Zoom to conduct routine business, including the election of officers and reports from NRCS and LSU AgCenter. The agenda also includes discussions on a Farm Bill cooperative agreement and supervisor appointments.

• Election of Officers
• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• Supervisors Resignations, Appointments, or Reappointments
• Approval of December 7, 2021 Commission Meeting Minutes

The Commission unanimously elected Earl Garber as Chairman, Steve Horvath as Vice Chairman, and Ruben Dauzat as Secretary-Treasurer. The board approved several supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments for local conservation districts. Additionally, the Commission approved three meritorious awards and a travel request for the NACD Annual Meeting.

• Elected Earl Garber as Chairman (Unanimous)
• Elected Steve Horvath as Vice Chairman (Unanimous)
• Elected Ruben Dauzat as Secretary-Treasurer (Unanimous)
• Approved resignations for Caddo, Feliciana, and Lafayette SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Jeffrey Gardner to Feliciana SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved reappointments for Ruben Dauzat (Avoyelles) and Meagan Percle (West Carroll) (Unanimous)
• Approved meritorious awards for Deborah Morris ($500), Erin James ($1,404), and Taylen Jarrell ($1,123.20) (Unanimous)
• Preapproved a resolution regarding Gulf Hypoxia Task Force funding after review (Unanimous)