Middlebury, VT 05753-1292
The July 2025
meeting of the Otter Creek Conservation District was held.
Present: Paul Wagner, John Roberts, and Kylie called
in.
USDA
NRCS:
Staff: Pamela Stefanek, Rory Malone
NRCS
Report:
Marybeth
previously reported that the program deadline is August 22.
Rory
discussed his work with the Addison Regional Planning Commission. He submitted
three farms to their system, one went to Rutland or PM.
John
Roberts reported that he is working on the CAFO permit situation, Act 67. EPA sued ANR and said the MFO is out and
CAFO is in. ANR is now in charge. The public wants the lake to be clean asap.
ANR just
sent out an RFP. Starting in September
there will be stakeholder meetings, a report in March and next summer ANR will
look at CAFOs.
The
Legislator passed a Right to Farm law, Act 45 possibly.
John said
he would look for a grant that we can write. John said ChatGPT could help write
it.
Minutes:
John moved the minutes; Paul seconded.
The minutes passed.
Financial
reports: John moved the financial and
Paul seconded. The financials passed.
The
meeting adjourned at 5:30.
Respectively
submitted,
Pamela
Stefanek
OTTER CREEK NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION DISTRICT
68 Catamount Park, Suite B
Middlebury, VT 05753-1292
The June 2025 meeting of the Otter Creek Conservation District was held.
Present: Paul Wagner
USDA NRCS: Marybeth Witten
Staff: Pamela Stefanek, Rory Malone
NRCS Report:
Marybeth said that NRCS Addison had 1 CSP, 12 EQIP contracts, 2 Cropland CPIs, 4 Act Now, 1 organic transition, and 1 Golden Winged Warbler. Legislator eliminated the $4450,00 cap and loosened the cover crop requirements.
Staffing: Rachel Monroe will be in the office soon. She was a Pathways person and will convert.
Supreme Court says return to office by June 20.
NRCS is replacing Rachel with another engineer.
Respectively submitted,
Pamela Stefanek
OTTER CREEK NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION DISTRICT
68 Catamount Park, Suite B
Middlebury, VT 05753-1292
The May 2025 meeting of the Otter Creek Conservation District was held.
Present: Supervisors: Jonathan Chamberlin, Paul Wagner, John Roberts, and Josh for NRCS report.
USDA NRCS: Michelle Monroe
Staff: Pamela Stefanek, Rory Malone
NRCS Report:
Jonathan Chamberlin started the meeting.
Minutes and financial reports were approved.
The Board approved the contract that Michelle brought – AGCWIP.
Jonathan asked Michelle to talk about what she is doing. She said the Legislators gave $250,000. $618,000 in Core Services no restrictions. Michelle said she is focused on getting Jill’s grants on paper/computer.
John wanted to know why we didn’t have 5 reps. Jonathan said I should check with Kylie.
Respectively submitted,
Pamela Stefanek