LAWRENCE COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BUSINESS PLAN FUNCTION:  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 manager with conservation of soil, water and related natural resources. WE SERVE:   Land users of Lawrence County. WHY:  To provide assistance, education, and technical service in conserving soil, water, and related natural resources. MISSION STATEMENT:  The mission of the Lawrence County SWCD is to provide assistance education, and technical service to the land users of Lawrence County in conserving soil, water, and related  natural resources. CRITICAL NATURAL RESOURCE ISSUES:  Land Use, Agriculture Erosion, Forestry, Wildlife, Urban Erosion, Water Quality, Conservation Education, and Wetlands CRITICAL GEOGRAPHIC AREAS:  Indian Creek, Quail Priority Area, & Mt. Horeb Drain LAND USE 1)By 2006, increase public awareness and knowledge of land use issues.        a)  Ask the county commissioners to attend a board/annual meeting to increase awareness of the              districts    functions.      b)  By 2005, have at least one public presentation about land use issues.  AGRICULTURE EROSION 1)Annually, increase awareness of assistance programs thru field days, newsletters, brochures, news articles, promote new and on-going program opportunities, for improving the quality of Lawrence County’s natural resources.       a)   Target  karst areas through local ranking cost share programs.      b)   Apply for grants for karst watersheds by 2008. 2)  a)   Target karst areas through local ranking cost share programs.       b)   Apply for grants for karst watersheds by 2008. 3)  Promote the use of crop residue on cropland.      a)  Conduct an annual tillage transect for Lawrence County      b)  By 2008, there will be an increase of no-till corn & soybeans to 75% as compared to 2004 data. 4)  Annually, emphasize the importance of following conservation plans in order       to stay in compliance with government  programs.         a)  Conduct annual status reviews and take appropriate action to complete practices.      b)  Review conservation plans as needed with  landowner. 5) Encourage the proper use of forages and grazing land.            a)  Increase the conversion of cropland to forage  crops on highly erodible land.      b)  Encourage the use of rotational grazing  pastureland.      c)   Increase the use of practices such as:  Heavy Use Areas, Alternative watering systems and fencing. FORESTRY 1)  a)  Encourage Timber Stand Improvement,  fencing livestock,  Classified Forest, tree planting,   promote   Indiana’s State Tree            Nursery Sales Program and  proper  harvesting.        b)  Partnering with the Brown County  Hills  Project area and  the Nature Conservancy. WILDLIFE 1)   Assist landowners with wildlife management  goals.        a)    Promote IDNR Wildlife Biologist  Quail Priority Area in 2005.       b)    Promote sign-up of 200 acres of CRP quail  habitat buffers for upland birds.       c)    Annual distribution of wildlife food plot  seed for upland birds.       d)    Promote the USDA Wildlife Habitat Incentative Program  (WHIP) to  landowners interested in      protecting and enhancing wildlife  habitat. URBAN 1)   By 2008, erosion and off-site sedimentation on developing areas will be  reduced by encouraging  the implementation of erosion control plans.       a)   By 2006,  plan and conduct  a workshop to  inform developers, land  contractors, public officials about the particulars of Rule 5 and MS-4’s.       b)   Participate in the implementation of Bedford’s municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) plan, through the development of the education component.    WATER QUALITY 1)  By 2008, will determine priority watershed to  monitor for water quality.       a)   Train volunteers in Hoosier Riverwatch to obtain and report baseline water quality data to monitor concerns and improvements in identified watersheds.       b)   Apply for watershed land treatment grant  for identified priority  watersheds.     2)   Increase the use of filters along streams and rivers. 3)  By 2007, landowners will be encouraged to improve water quality by excluding livestock from natural water sources.            a)     Promote to livestock producers, federal  (EQIP), state (LARE), and other  programs and funding opportunities to install practices that would keep livestock out of natural water sources.  Promote the use of alternative water sources. 4)  By 2006, increase best management practices for nutrient and pest management on cropland.           a)   Cooperate with the Nutrient Management Specialist to write and apply 20  nutrient management plans.       b)   Promote the USDA EQIP programs incentatives for nutrient and pest  management.        5)  Educate industries, landowners, urban developers, general construction and county officials with the impact of water quality due to urban development.             a)  By 2008,  provide workshops,  make contacts,  distribute brochures  about county/state ordnances.                              CONSERVATION EDUCATION 1)  Promoting soil & water conservation by educating land users.        a)  Annual field day sponsored by the SWCD       b)  Newsletters, news articles & radio announcements. YOUTH EDUCATION 1)     Promote conservation education to youth on soil  & water conservation issues.         a)  Envirothon         b)  Poster Contest         c)  4-H Projects         d)  Classroom presentations         e)  Career fairs          f)  Soil & Water station at the 3rd Grade Ag Day WETLANDS 1)Educate land users on the importance of wetland restoration or creation improving  water quality and wildlife habitat.