CONSERVATION CREDITS Local Common Sense Conservation Newslet ter of the Madison Conservat ion Distr ict

February 2015

The function of the Conservation District is to take available technical, financial, and educational resources,

whatever their source, and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the local land user for con-

servation of soil, water, and related resources. Adapted from Pete Nowak

2014 Winter

Workshop Schedule

February 26 12-2 PM

Tommy Bass: Carcass

Composting

March 11 12-2 PM

Dr. Emily Glunk:

Forage Valuation

April 7, 12-2 PM

Dave Scott: Whys and

Hows of Resting Pas-

tures

Madison Conservation District | www.madisoncd.org | (406) 682-7289

2015 Winter Workshop Series The long days of winter can be a

welcomed downtime for many in

the valley. The list of things “to do”

is a little on the shorter side, which

is a good fit for our short number of

daylight hours and our Winter

Workshop Series.

During these days with a more for-

giving schedule, the Madison Con-

servation District hosts education

workshops in Ennis, bringing ex-

perts in to present on conservation

and agricultural topics.

The goal of the workshop series is

to bring in professionals for a short

presentation in a casual setting, al-

lowing attendees a chance to learn

the latest in natural resource

management or farm or ranch op-

eration . The speakers are often

based within the region, so they

can apply their topic information

specifically to our area.

The series offers a catered lunch

for the attendance price of $5,

ranging from hearty soups to deli-

cious chili. The presentations

often include demonstrations, and

there is always plenty of time for

questions and answers. Contact

our office for more info, or RSVP

a couple days in advance to at-

tend.

PhotoPhoto-- John WhiteJohn White

Where is Winter?

They might be the quiet type, or

perhaps a bit more “chatty”, but so

long as they are doing good work to

promote conservation in our area,

they deserve a nod of support.

Consider nominating them for the

2015 CD Stewardship Award, a nice

gesture of thanks for people who

believe that stewardship is worth

the time and effort. The Madison

and Ruby Valley CDs each give out

their own awards to a selected resi-

dent of the district. Visit

www.madisoncd.org for the nomi-

nation form and deadline.

2

MCD

Board & Staff

Mel McKitrick, Co-Chair (1995)

Janet Endecott, Co-Chair (2002)

Kevin Boltz (1992)

Bob Sitz (2002)

Nick Dyk (2013)

Neil Kent,

Urban Super. (2009)

Kaye Suzuki, Urban Super. (2010)

Sunni Heikes-Knapton Watershed Coordinator

Ethan Kunard Water Programs

Manager

Stewardship

Award Nominations

Sought! Your chance to recognize our

heroes of conservation.

The annual Madison and Ruby Val-

ley CD Banquet is right around the

corner, and it promises to be a

grand time for all. Held at the Elk’s

Lodge in Virginia City, the event

features a fantastic dinner, a no

host bar, and a chance to rub shoul-

ders with the 2015 Stewardship

Award Recipients. Dancing follows

the hoopla, with live music taking

us into the night. More infor-

mation is coming soon, and spon-

sor opportunities await local busi-

nesses and ranches.

Madison

Conservation District

222 E Main Ste 2B

Ennis MT 59729

www.MadisonCD.org

406.682.7289

Prefer to get

news from us

by email?

Let us know by emailing

sunni@madisoncd.org

Channel Migration Mapping

Update on the effort to map movement of Rivers in the Upper Missouri

Madison & Ruby

Valley CD Banquet

April 18, 2015

Mark your calendars, bring

your appetite, and dust off

your dancing shoes.

Like an active 2 year old or a wan-

dering dog, rivers in our mountain-

ous region are known for their con-

stant movement. Where they will

move is often unknown, but a

planned project seeks to pinpoint

this information through develop-

ment of a series of complex maps.

This project, with funding approved

during the 2013 Legislature, is now

getting underway in the upper Mis-

souri Region. The project partners

are now eager to get going, and

they recognize how community in-

volvement will be a key part in the

overall project.

Channel Migration Mapping is a

process of applying historic photos

to scientific models to predict

where rivers are likely to move, cre-

ating a useful tool for permitting

and planning. An important part of

the process includes local public

meetings to garner feedback.

Contact the CD office to keep in-

formed of the upcoming meetings

and for any additional questions.

their work for this second annual

contest. The images are featured

on the CD Facebook page, and

the photos with the most “likes”

at the end of the contest win!

Read all of the contest details on

the website or on the Madison

CD Facebook page.

After 2 years of working with the

MCD as a Big Sky Watershed Corps

member, Ethan Kunard may be

changing titles, but he is keeping

his feet firmly planted in the Madi-

son.

Through his previous service,

Ethan demonstrated his skills in

many aspects of the ongoing water

programs. These tasks range from

the collection of water quality data

alongside the volunteer Madison

Stream Team program, to carrying

out education events for youth.

His new position will continue to

involve such tasks, as well as work-

ing on the long-term stream health

planning process that is entering

it’s 3rd year.

Because of the depth of his skill set,

Kunard was also appointed as the

Conservation District Representa-

tive for the Madison County Plan-

ning Board. In this role, he will

participate in the review of planned

developments, and represent con-

servation concerns potentially asso-

ciated with the proposed work.

The board of supervisors and fellow

staff look forward to having Ethan’s

valuable contributions to the ongo-

ing program work.

3

Kunard Joins MCD in Water Programs

and Planning Board Positions

While it is commonly known that a

permit is required to do work in or

along perennially flowing water-

ways, the MCD is now allowing the

public to submit suspected viola-

tors of this law in an anonymous

format.

Unpermitted activity can be

brought to the attention of the CD

by completing an Official Com-

plaint Form found on the CD web-

site. The activity must be described

in detail and photos that illustrate

the complaint are highly encour-

aged.

Complaints can be submitted in an

anonymous format, but must in-

clude the form. The CD reserves

the right to determine if complaints

are based on legitimate concerns,

and to investigate activity even if a

complaint is not filed.

The Madison CD is pleased to welcome

Ethan Kunard as the new Water Pro-

grams Manager and Planning Board

Representative.

Madison Conservation District | www.madisoncd.org | (406) 682-7289

310 Violation

Policy Update Do you regularly view our scenic

surroundings from behind a cam-

era lens? Would you like share

your images for a chance at a free

dinner and 15 minutes of fame?

Then the 2015 Photo Contest is just

for you!

Amateur photographers submit

Madison & Ruby Photo Contest

2014 Photo Contest Entry by John White

Welcome Aboard, Ethan!

PO Box 606

222 E Main Street Suite 2B

Ennis, MT 59729

www.madisoncd.org

406-682-7289: Main office, Water Programs Manager

406-682-3181: Watershed Coordinator

406-682-3272: Fax

Board: madisoncd@3rivers.net

Watershed Coordinator: sunni@madisoncd.org

Water Programs Manager: ethan@madisoncd.org

Don’t Forget the Permit!

Montana ’s Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act

is a state law which requires a permit for any work in

or near a perennial stream or river. The law

ensures that projects will not negatively affect area

streams, their banks or adjoining landowners.

Madison Conservation District | www.madisoncd.org | (406) 682-7289

Different permits apply to the zones of the waterway. If

you are unsure which you need, contact the MCD Office.