State Soil and Water Conservation Commission public meetings in 2023

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will consider approval of the agenda and minutes, and receive reports on the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement, the Louisiana Hypoxia Working Group, and updates from the LSU AgCenter and OSWC. The commission will also discuss Open Meeting Law changes and set goals for the coming year.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• LA Hypoxia Working Group discussion
• Open Meeting Law changes
• Supervisor resignations/appointments
• SWCC Goals

The Commission approved out-of-state travel for Crescent SWCD and processed supervisor changes for Red River SWCD. Members also moved to request that the Office of Soil and Water Conservation become a co-member of the LA Hypoxia Working Group.

• Approved out-of-state travel for five Crescent SWCD staff to attend the NACD Meeting (Unanimous)
• Approved motion to request OSWC become a co-member of the LA Hypoxia Working Group (Unanimous)
• Approved resignations of Johnny Taylor and Jolley Nash from Red River SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Jolley Nash to Red River SWCD appointed position (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Loyd Dodson to Red River SWCD elected position (Unanimous)
• Approved December 5, 2023 agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved October 24, 2023 minutes as amended (Unanimous)

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, annual meetings, and out-of-state travel. New business includes a presentation on the LA Hypoxia Working Group, reports from NRCS and LSU AgCenter, and discussion of supervisor resignations, appointments, and open meeting law changes.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• LACD Annual Meeting/NACD Annual Meeting
• Out of State Travel
• LA Hypoxia Working Group presentation
• Supervisors Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments

The Commission approved election results for Area I and II state members and alternates. It also approved CPA engagement letters for two districts, a supervisor attendance waiver, and a performance award. The board received reports from the NRCS and LSU AgCenter regarding funding and research.

• Approved Area I Member Reggie Skains and Alternate Pat Boudreaux (unanimous)
• Approved Area II Member Ed Yerger and Alternate Chris Carter (unanimous)
• Approved $650 CPA engagement letters for Lafourche-Terrebonne and Crescent SWCD (unanimous)
• Waived attendance requirements for Dorcheat SWCD supervisor Joe Robinson (unanimous)
• Approved re-appointment of Steve Horvath to Capital SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved $500 performance award for East Carroll SWCD secretary Deborah Morris (unanimous)
• Approved October 24, 2023 agenda (unanimous)
• Approved September 13, 2023 minutes (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission is meeting to review reports from the NRCS and LSU AgCenter and discuss several cooperative agreements. The body will also address supervisor appointments and PFAS notifications.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• Cooperative Endeavor Agreement-Upper Delta
• PFAS Notifications
• CPA-SWCD Agreements
• Supervisors Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments

The Commission approved several supervisor appointments and re-appointments for various soil and water conservation districts. It also authorized a CPA engagement for Calcasieu SWCD and a cooperative agreement for Upper Delta SWCD. A $500 meritorious award was granted to a Madison SWCD employee.

• Approved CPA engagement for Calcasieu SWCD with Windham & Reed, LLC not to exceed $3,500 (Unanimous)
• Approved resignation of Calcasieu SWCD supervisor Wesley Coffman (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Carol Bliss to Calcasieu SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved re-appointments of supervisors for Caddo, East Carroll, Feliciana, and Madison SWCDs (Unanimous)
• Approved $500 meritorious award for Madison SWCD employee Patches McDaniel (Unanimous)
• Approved agreement between Upper Delta SWCD and Office of Community Development pending board review (Unanimous)
• Approved September 13, 2023 agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved August 22, 2023 meeting minutes (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will meet on August 22, 2023, at the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry. The agenda includes updates on the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement, district funding, and the NACD South Central Meeting. The commission will also consider the Area 1 and 2 SWCC Election Convention, CPA-SWCD Agreements, and supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• District Funding
• NACD South Central Meeting update
• Area 1 and 2 SWCC Election Convention
• CPA-SWCD Agreements

The Commission approved several supervisor appointments, re-appointments, and one resignation. It also authorized a CPA engagement letter for the St. Martin SWCD and scheduled the September meeting to follow the Area 1 and 2 election convention.

• Approved St. Martin SWCD engagement letter from Maraist & Maraist for $1,500-$1,650 (Unanimous)
• Approved resignation of Billy Joe Vise, Saline SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved appointments of John Laborde (Avoyelles), Huel Jones (DeSoto), Patrick Frischhertz (Lower Delta), and Michelle Hay Davis (Saline) (Unanimous)
• Approved re-appointments of Johnny Taylor (Red River), Tim Collins (Saline), and Patrick Hebert (Vermillion) (Unanimous)
• Approved scheduling September meeting to follow the Area 1 and 2 election convention (Unanimous)
• Approved August 22, 2023 agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved July 25, 2023 meeting 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 resignations.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• CPA-SWCD Agreements
• Supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments
• NRCS State Conservationist Report
• LSU AgCenter Report

The Commission approved out-of-state travel for several soil and water conservation districts to attend a regional meeting. It also approved a CPA engagement letter for Lafayette SWCD and processed one supervisor resignation, appointment, and reappointment.

• Approved out-of-state travel for Crescent, D’Arbonne, Natchitoches, and Red River SWCDs (unanimous)
• Approved Lafayette SWCD engagement letter from Maraist & Maraist for $1,500-$1,650 (unanimous)
• Approved resignation of Christopher Freeman from Catahoula SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Rhonda Murphy to Catahoula SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved reappointment of Preston Broxson (unanimous)
• Approved July 25, 2023 agenda (unanimous)
• Approved June 30, 2023 minutes (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission approved out-of-state travel for representatives from DeSoto and East Carroll districts. The board also approved a $500 performance award for a Vermillion SWCD technician and waived attendance requirements for two district supervisors.

• Approved out-of-state travel for Ms. Chrissy Ebarb (DeSoto SWCD) to NACD South Central Regional Meeting (unanimous)
• Approved out-of-state travel for six East Carroll SWCD representatives to NACD South Central Regional Meeting (unanimous)
• Approved $500 exceptional performance award for Devan Georgia, Vermillion SWCD District Technician (unanimous)
• Waived attendance requirements for Mr. Bartol Taliancich Jr. (Plaquemines SWCD) (unanimous)
• Waived attendance requirements for Mr. Walker Head (Tensas-Concordia SWCD) (unanimous)
• Approved June 27, 2023 agenda (unanimous)
• Approved May 23, 2023 minutes (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will review the May 23, 2023, meeting minutes and discuss updates regarding the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement. The meeting also includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement update
• LSU AgCenter Report
• Supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments
• NRCS State Conservationist Report

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission will review the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and receive updates from the NRCS State Conservationist and LSU AgCenter. The agenda also includes discussions regarding supervisor appointments and the upcoming June 10 district supervisor election.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement review
• District Supervisor Election scheduled for June 10, 2023
• Supervisor resignations, appointments, and reappointments
• LSU AgCenter report

The Commission approved the election of 42 unopposed district supervisors for terms starting July 1, 2023. The board also approved one supervisor resignation and three new supervisor appointments. Members received reports on aging watershed structures and federal research grants.

• Approved 42 unopposed District Supervisor elections (Unanimous)
• Approved resignation of Mr. Lewis Lauve, Rapides SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Mr. Stanley Dutile, Lafayette SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Mr. Joel Matthews, Rapides SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Mr. Lawrence “Kenny” Ryan, Saline SWCD (Unanimous)
• Approved May 23, 2023 agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved April 23, 2023 minutes (Unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission is meeting to approve the agenda and minutes, then address unfinished business including a Farm Bill cooperative agreement with NRCS/OSWC, updates on the Louisiana legislative session, and appointment of an Area IV alternate member. New business includes reports from the NRCS State Conservationist, LSU AgCenter, and OSWC, along with discussion of the June 10, 2023 district supervisor election and supervisor resignations/appointments/reappointments. Public comments will be taken at the start and end of the meeting.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• LA Legislative Session Updates
• SWCC Area IV Alternate Member Appointment
• District Supervisor Election - June 10, 2023
• Supervisors Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments

The Commission approved the appointment of Ron Duhon to a vacancy and processed several supervisor resignations, appointments, and re-appointments. Members also discussed pending legislation regarding carbon sequestration and foreign land ownership.

• Appointed Ron Duhon as Area IV Alternate Member (unanimous)
• Approved 7 SWCD supervisor resignations (unanimous)
• Approved SWCD supervisor appointments for Dirk Dupuy and Joshua Fletcher (unanimous)
• Approved SWCD supervisor re-appointments for Hezzie Crain, Patrick Churchman, and Danny Coombs (unanimous)
• Approved the meeting agenda and March 28, 2023 minutes (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will meet to consider updates on the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement, state funding for the regular legislative session, and a report from the NACD Fly-In. New business includes supervisor resignations, appointments, and the upcoming district supervisor election. The agenda is tentative until 24 hours before the meeting.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• Legislative Regular Session/State Funding
• NACD Fly-In Update
• Supervisor Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments
• District Supervisor Election on June 10, 2023

The Commission voted to request that HB 125 be rephrased to include information on all foreign ownership of Louisiana land. The board also approved several supervisor appointments and a performance award. Members discussed the need for sustained funding for conservation district operating budgets.

• Approved request to rephrase HB 125 to include all foreign land ownership (unanimous)
• Approved resignation of Irvin “Sandy” Dares, Crescent SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved appointment of Neil Record to Feliciana SWCD (unanimous)
• Approved re-appointments of 6 SWCD supervisors (unanimous)
• Approved $1,092 exceptional performance award for Cecilia Spiess (unanimous)
• Approved March 28, 2023 agenda (unanimous)
• Approved February 28, 2023 minutes (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Commission accepted the resignation of Ruben Dauzat and appointed Ed Giering as the Area 3 Member and Gregory Monceaux as the Area 3 Alternate. The board also approved six supervisor appointments, four re-appointments, and a $1,000 performance award. Additionally, the Commission approved the 2023 District Supervisor Election packet.

• Accepted resignation of Ruben Dauzat (unanimous)
• Appointed Ed Giering as Area III Member and Gregory Monceaux as Area III Alternate (unanimous)
• Approved resignations of supervisors Danny Martin and Kent Blade (unanimous)
• Approved 6 SWCD supervisor appointments (unanimous)
• Approved 4 SWCD supervisor re-appointments (unanimous)
• Approved District Supervisor Election packet for June 10, 2023 election (unanimous)
• Approved $1,000 exceptional performance award for Chaka Webb (unanimous)
• Approved February 28, 2023 agenda and January 11, 2023 minutes (unanimous)

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The State Soil and Water Conservation Commission will consider approving the agenda and minutes from January 11, 2023. Unfinished business includes the NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement and the NACD Fly-In scheduled for March 22-23, 2023. New business items include reports from the NRCS State Conservationist, LSU AgCenter, and OSWC, as well as potential SWCD projects under LA Outdoor Forever, a stewardship proclamation, resignations and appointments of supervisors, and the upcoming district supervisor election on June 10, 2023.

• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement
• LA Outdoor Forever – Potential SWCD Projects
• Supervisors Resignations/Appointments/Reappointments
• District Supervisor Election – June 10, 2023
• Meritorious Award

State Soil and Water Conservation Commission

The Louisiana State Soil and Water Conservation Commission meets to approve the agenda and minutes, hear public comments, and conduct routine business including election of officers, reports from NRCS and LSU AgCenter, and supervisor appointments. No major decisions or controversial items are listed.

• Election of officers
• NRCS/OSWC Farm Bill Cooperative Agreement discussion
• Supervisor resignations/appointments/reappointments
• Reports from NRCS, LSU AgCenter, and OSWC

The Commission unanimously elected its Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary-Treasurer. The board also approved four supervisor resignations, three new appointments, and nine re-appointments for various soil and water conservation districts.

• Elected Earl Garber as Chairman (Unanimous)
• Elected Steve Horvath as Vice Chairman (Unanimous)
• Elected Reggie Skains as Secretary-Treasurer (Unanimous)
• Approved resignations of Elmore Morris, Dr. Thomas Vitrano, Blaise Pezold, and Dan Delee (Unanimous)
• Approved appointments of Erica Johnson, Blaise Pezold, and Brad Fontenot (Unanimous)
• Approved re-appointments of 9 supervisors across various districts (Unanimous)
• Approved January 11, 2023 agenda (Unanimous)
• Approved December 6, 2022 minutes (Unanimous)