Gallatin County, MT - Monthly Report January

Monthly Report January

GALLATIN COUNTY WEED DISTRICT MONTHLY REPORT

Weed District Board Meeting on February 07, 2008

Dennis Hengel, Weed Coordinator

John Ansley, Enforcement/Education Coordinator

Rosemary Perry, Admin Assistant

I. ADMINISTRATION

1. District Budget

2. Administrative Contacts

3. Claims

Road Department Electricity – Shop - $213.85	MWCA Annual Meeting Reg x 3 - $525.00
Northwestern Energy – Gas – $502.96	Booth for Home Show - $272.95
Telephone Charges November - $308.18	Booth for Sport Show - $280.95
Copier Charges December - $93.40	Office Max - $74.97
Executive Services Postage – $69.74	Tin Works – Heater for shop - $2308.00
Alltel Cell Phones –- $	Zigs – Sheetrock & Supplies - $15.14
Story Distributing Dec 15-31 - $96.57	Dept of Ag new Pesticide Manuals - $120.00
Story Distributing Jan 1-15 – $194.82	Dept of Ag – License renewals - $345.00
City of Bozeman Water & Sewer - $57.07	Phillips Book Store Binders - $111.85
The Rural Landscape - $50.00	Fairgrounds – Rent - $9,561.00
Ressler new spray truck - $12,989.00	Missoula County Weed Curriculum - $300.00

II. SUBDIVISIONS

Subdivision	Submitted	Approved
Eagle Point Estates Major (WMP) 61 acres, 187 lot major. Noted CT and MT in a few small patches throughout property, SK infestation approximately 0.03 Acres. 05/22/07. WMP NOT APPROVED as submitted, as plan did not address SK control. Requested revision of WMP. 06/07/07. WMP was resubmitted to address SK control. 06/18/07. WMP NOT APPROVED a second time as signature page was not signed and the herbicide costs for control of SK were not realistic. Requested revision of WMP a second time. 07/31/07. As of this date no revised WMP has been received.	03/23/07	Not Approved
Annie Lot 5 (WMP), Fellowship Baptist Church, 10 acres, 2 lot minor. 08/06/07. Property inspection for WMP approval. Hengel informed Cooperator that property needed to be mowed by 08/15/07 for WMP approval. 08/16/07. Re-inspection noted that no mowing of weeds had had occurred. WMP was NOT APPROVED as submitted. 08/27/07. Contacted by Lee Nuss (representing the church) to discuss WMP approval. They are going to mow CT and MT. The gravel and soil piles will be landscaped this fall. Cooperator required to resubmit a new WMP with revisions. 09/13/07. Gaston Engineering submitted a cover letter in place of a new revised WMP. 10/15/07. Hengel sent memo to Gaston Engineering stating cover letter not adequate as revised and WMP was not approved. 11/14/07. Revised WMP submitted. Revised WMP not approved a second time. WMP still does not adequately address mowing of noxious weeds. WMP not approved a second time. 01/17/08. Revised WMP submitted. WMP provided name of commercial applicator that will conduct mowing and spraying of noxious weeds on property. WMP approved with revisions.	08/02/07 01/17/08	Not approved Approved 01/30/08
PT Land PUD (MOU) 47.62 acres, 18 lot commercial development. 09/06/07. Inspection of property showed that NE corner of property mowed two weeks ago. Interior of property contains heavy infestation of dried nuisance weeds. Unable to determine if weeds were treated with herbicide or just dried out from end of year cycle. No road construction or revegetation of road disturbance has occurred. No revegetation of open space has occurred. MOU not approved 09/10-10/19. Numerous telephone discussions with Steve Laufenberg and Molly Scorpik (Morrison & Maierle) and Wynette Lyndemaker (Bozeman Planning) regarding the subdivision. Cooperator is not constructing improvements between preliminary plat approval and final plat approval so no infrastructure (roads, etc) are being built. Instead, Cooperator will place an improvements agreement (IA) with the city of Bozeman. However, the IA does not include weed control and revegetation. Hengel provided three options for MOU approval: 1. Complete the WMP as submitted. 2. Include weed control and revegetation in IA. 3. Provide a paid contract for the weed control and revegetation from a third party guaranteeing that the work will be completed. 11/01/07. Attorney Joby Sabol at Weed Board meeting. Discussion w/ Board on requirements for approval of MOU. Agreement reached that Cooperator will revise WMP to reflect current condition of property and also provide improvements agreement (letter of credit). 12/04/07. Addendum of WMP, Improvements Agreement and Letter if Credit submitted by Cooperator. 12/14/07. After review of the addendum of WMP, Improvements Agreement and Letter of Credit the MOU was approved. . 01/14/08. Rec’d Letter of Credit in mail.	08/31/07
Eastlake Minor 5 Lot subdivision (WMP) 7.65 acres, 5 lot minor commercial subdivision. Property located west of Bozeman at intersection of Valley Center Road and N 27^th Street. WMP written as suggestions that the Cooperator might complete. 11/05/07. Inspection of property noted total disturbance of site through small grain production. Property in stubble with high density infestation of CT on perimeter. Engineering firm contacted and requested that WMP be rewritten and resubmitted as to what the Cooperator will actually implement to control weeds (CT) and will implement to mitigate any disturbances. 11/29/07. As of this date no revision of WMP has been received by Weed District office.	10/29/07
Windmill Acres (WMP) 8 acres, 4 lot (4, 1.0, 1.6 and 1.6 acres) minor in Churchill area. No road construction but 1000 feet of utility/service lines to be constructed. Scattered plants of CT, HT and SK on property to be treated by John Huyser.	12/27/07	01/08/08
Hackman Minor (WMP) Lot split Hengel located property but was unable to do inspection due to snow cover. Huyser stated on WMP that there were few noxious weeds present. Will inspect during 2008 field season. WMP was approved.	01/03/07	01/24/08
Meadow Creek Major (WMP) 170 lots on Stucky Road High density residential development within the Bozeman City limits. Paved streets, curb and gutter development. No high density infestations of noxious weeds noted during inspection. WMP approved as submitted.	01/03/07	01/09/08
Spanish Peak Estates Phase 2 (MOU) Due to snow cover Hengel did not inspect property. Weed District staff will inspect the entire PUD in summer of 2008 to determine compliance status. MOU approved as submitted.	01/11/08	01/24/08
Ryen Glenn Estates (MOU) 170 acres, 200+ lot residential and commercial development located at Lagoon Road and Penwell Bridge Road. Road infrastructure started but not completed. Subdivider has contract with Gallatin Spraying Service (Lynn Huyser) to conduct weed control. MOU approved as submitted.	01/14/08	1/14/08
Flikkema Minor (WMP)	01/31/08

Subdivision Review /Administration Questions:

Date	Comments
01/03/08	Call from Tom Rogers (County Planning) regarding North Star condominiums. North Star condo’s located in Four Corners area. Planning Department considers construction of condo’s as a new subdivision. Three lots are proposed for development into condo’s. Discussion w/Hengel. Subdividers requesting variance as claiming that subdivision already has approved WMP and MOU from Weed District so there is no need for them to develop WMP for the property.
01/07/08	Call from Ryan (C&H) looking for WMP for Highline Gravel Pit
01/08/08	Call from Mark Martello re Windmill Acres WMP. Discussion of approval process.
01/08/08	Call from Trec Inc re wet land development in Big Sky. Discussion w/Hengel. Wetlands developments do not require a weed management plan according to state law.
01/10/08	Call from Lynn Huyser regarding weed control on Ryen Glenn. Huyser has contract to implement weed control on property this coming field season.

01/24/08	Hengel inspected proposed North Star condo’s subdivision. Buildings are already constructed and property fully developed on two lots. Buildings are partially constructed and property partially developed on third lot. Construction has ceased on third lot due to weather. Discussion w/Rogers (County Planning). Property owners have been unable to lease buildings so are now proposing to sell buildings as condo’s. Planning will require owners to go through subdivision review process.
01/28/08	Further discussion w/Rogers (County Planning) regarding North Star condo’s. Hengel will address issue w/Weed Board at February Weed Board meeting on Feb. 6^th.
01/30/08	Call from Lindsey (County Planning). Discussion w/Hengel. County Planning publishing a quarterly newsletter. They will place newsletter at various locations in county. Asking if Hengel will transport newsletter to three locations (Post Office, Town Hall, and Chamber of Commerce) in Manhattan. As Hengel lives’ in Manhattan he will transport newsletter.

Revenue from Subdivision Review Fees from July 1, 2007 – December 31, 2007 is $2,850

Note: Revenue from Sub. Review Fees from July 1, 2006 – December 31, 2006 was $7,200

III. ACTIVITIES/MEETINGS

Date	Activity
01/08-15	Mainwaring installed drywall in weed shop bathroom renovation.
01/15/08-01/17/08	MWCA Annual Conference. Attended by Hengel, Ansley and Perry
01/23/08	Big Sky Weed Committee Meeting at Farm Bureau Building. Discussion and planning for upcoming field season. As per last year, Weed Committee will provide funding for the coordinator position. Weed District will hire intern, provide office space, vehicle, technical assistance and enforcement capabilities.

IV. EDUCATION and OUTREACH

01/02/08	Call from Rocky Fiegi regarding weed id. Attempted to describe weed over the phone. Unable to identify by verbal description. Will bring in specimen to Weed District next spring for positive identification.
01/18/08	Call from Brad Jones (Dept. of Ag) regarding new training manuals. Weed District ordered 8 manuals for crew training.
01/25-27	KBOZ Bozeman Home Show weed booth at Fairgrounds. Booth staffed by Urich, Littlefield, Ansley and Hengel at various times over weekend. Many positive comments on booth. Weed booth very well attended by public. GYCC weed identification booklets very popular. Numerous questions on cheatgrass control. Contact with possible candidate for coordinator position in Big Sky WMA. Individual has prior experience in different WMA on Smith River Watershed. Individual conducted educational seminars and meetings with landowners, recreationalists and outfitters along the Smith River.
01/28/08	Call from Duane Burkenpas regarding Farm Fair & GYCC Weed ID Booklets. Burkenpas is putting together a package of information for the students attending the Farm Fair. Requested 750 GYCC weed identification booklets for the package. Weed District probably cannot provide GYCC booklets. Instead, the Weed District can provide “Six Common Noxious Weeds Of Gallatin County” pamphlet.
01/29/08	Call from organizers of another Spring Home and Garden Show regarding the Weed District possibly attending their show on weekend of February 22-24th. Cost is $370 for a booth space. Hengel discussed cost with promoter. Promoter offered free booth space if cancellation occurs.
01/30/08	Call from Teton County Wyoming regarding GYCC Weed ID Booklets. Discussion w/Hengel. Teton County has available 750 GYCC booklets at cost of $0.77 each.
01/30/08	Call from Denise Wiedenheft (NRCS) regarding educational hand outs. Hengel picked up approximately 100 NRCS weed identification booklets.
01/30/08	Ansley met with Carla Hoopes regarding educational ideas.
01/31/08	Sent out letters to schools to see if interested in having noxious weed presentations

V. COMPLAINTS/REPORTS

While attending weed booth at KBOZ Home Show Ansley received the following reports of noxious weed problems:

1. Report of SK along McGuire Road

2. Report of SK along Upper Rainbow Road

3. Report of noxious weeds at the East Gallatin Recreation Area

VI. OTHER

01/10/08	Call from David Rickett regarding Mule Deer Foundation (MDF). Discussion w/Hengel. MDF is meeting mid-January to discuss providing grant funds ($7500) for spray projects on mule deer habitat. MDF will contact Weed District with results of discussion.
01/10/08	Call from Sean Wilcox regarding Madison River Dyk and Drain District. Discussion with Hengel. Madison River Dyk and Drain District (MRD&D) has been inactive for 15 years. MRD&D is a county entity and receives county funding. Area landowners are assessed mill levy on county taxes. MRD&D is being reactivated for management of dike. Dike is approximately 7 miles in length and is located south of I-90 Interstate on east side of Madison River. One of the dike’s issue is noxious weeds. Extremely serious noxious weed infestations (spotted knapweed and leafy spurge) established on dike. Wilcox was requesting assistance from Weed District in developing a weed management plan to control the noxious weeds. Will meet with Hengel after snow cover melts to inspect dike and discuss control options.
01/10/08	Call from Riley Wilson (Woolly Weed Eaters) regarding Cost Share Program and use of sheep. Hengel left phone message. Cost Share Program ($250 limit) applies to sheep grazing as per other biological control options.
01/22/08	Call from Dave Fowler (Road Dept) regarding the purchase of a new spray truck. Fowler has located 1 ton, dual-wheels, automatic, low mileage (90,000 miles) w/flat bed for $13,000. Vehicle does not have any major repair issues. Hengel approved purchase.
01/22/08	Call from Jennifer Blossom (County Auditor) regarding prepay status for credit card when staff other than Hengel are traveling to conferences.
01/23/08	Call from Craig McClure (YNP) regarding staging area for chip seal on US 191. Discussion w/Hengel. The section of Highway 191 going through YNP will be chip sealed this summer. McClure is attempting to locate staging area where materials could be stored that has few noxious weeds on-site. Area needs to be large enough to contain equipment to process material and handle semi-truck vehicular traffic.
01/25/08	Call from Keith Mainwaring regarding power line installation in Gallatin Canyon. Hengel left message w/Mainwaring. Power line construction is required to have weed management plan to mitigate noxious weed issues.