In-person and virtual

WACD plans for an in-person business meeting on Tuesday, November 30th at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma, Washington. Masking and social distancing will be required. (For those who do not wish to attend in person, we will provide a means for you to participate virtually.)

WACD will provide a free banquet for in-person attendees on Monday, November 29th beginning at 6:00 PM. For those attending Tuesday’s Business Meeting in-person, there is a registration fee of $110 per person and includes breakfast, lunch, and snacks on the 30th. You can register for either the virtual or in-person participation here. – https://form.123formbuilder.com/6010385/form 

Note that WACD will comply with any restrictions required for holding an in-person meeting.

Hotel rooms

If you are attending the in-person meeting, you may need to stay at a hotel. The annual business meeting is being held at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma where we have a group room rate available. Reserve your room by clicking here. The deadline to receive the group rate was extended from November 9th to November 12th.

Monday, November 29th 

(For those who registered to attend the in-person WACD banquet at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma)

• 6:00 PM – Doors Open
• 6:30 PM – Dinner to be served

Tuesday, November 30th 

WACD Annual Business Meeting

Click here to view the meeting recording, the Zoom password is the same as for Annual Conference recordings.

Access Passcode: WACD1942!

• 7:30 AM – Buffett Breakfast to be served for those in Tacoma
• 8:30 AM – Meeting called to Order/Roll Call of Member Districts
• 8:45 AM – Eastern Washington Area Commissioner Election
  • Declared Candidate – Larry Cochrane
  • Other Nominations
• 9:00 AM – Rules of Order & Meeting Procedures Briefing
  • Parliamentary Procedure Cheat Sheet
• 9:15 AM – Approval of 2020 Business Meeting Minutes
  • 2020 WACD Annual Business Meeting Draft Minutes
• 9:20 AM – Treasurer’s Report for FY2020 & Report on Current Fiscal Year
  • FY 21 Year-End Financial Reports
  • October 2021 Merged Financial Reports
  • WACD PMC FY22 Budget
  • WACD Executive Office FY22 Budget
• 9:35 AM – Plant Materials Center Status Report
  • 2021 PMC Annual Report
• 9:50 AM – Resolutions as Recommended by the Natural Resources Policy Committee (See Resolutions Tab )
  • 2021-01 WACD Establish Workgroup to Evaluate HAB Problem and Funding (Do Pass as Amended)
  • 2021-02 Request for NRCS to update the reimbursable rate for riparian practices (Do Pass as Amended)
  • 2021-03 Reverse New FSA Emergency Conservation Program Rules on Fencing (Do Pass)
  • 2021-04 Support WA NRCS Approval for Cost-Share for Soil Carbon Amendment (Do Pass)
  • 2021-05 Livestock Riparian Water Rights (Do Pass as Amended)
  • 2021-06 Solar Panel Position Statement (Do Pass as Amended)
• 10:45 AM – Break
• 11:00 AM Resolutions as Recommended by the Legislative, Bylaws, and District Policies Committee (See Resolutions Tab)
  • 2021-08 Workplace Policy Improvements (Do Pass as Amended)
  • 2021-09 Stable Funding for CD Wildfire Risk Assessments (Do Pass as Amended)
  • 2021-10 Establish Area Cost Share Rates (Do Pass as Amended)
  • 2021-11 Prioritize Status Quo Budget (Do Pass as Amended)
  • 2021-12 Transparent and Identifiable Agency Visits (Do Pass)
  • 2021-13 WACD Support for Overtime Exemption During Harvest Periods (Do Not Pass)
  • 2021-14 Correcting Technological caused issues from 2020 WACD meeting (Do Pass as Amended)
  • 2021-16 Supervisor Code of Conduct (Do Pass as Amended)
• 12:00 PM – Lunch Recess
• 1:00 PM – Adopting the Recommendations of the Joint Committee on Elections (As Recommended by the WACD Board of Directors)
  • Joint Committee on Elections Report
  • Part 1: Conduct elections every other year.
  • Part 2: Extend supervisor terms (both appointed and elected) from three-year terms to four-year terms.
  • Part 3: Conduct district elections during one “Conservation Month”.
  • Part 4: Allow conservation districts the option to go on the general election ballot.
• 1:30 PM – WACD Proposed Bylaw Changes (As Recommended by the WACD Board of Directors)
  • Memo on 2021 Board Proposed Bylaw Changes
  • Resolution 2021-07B WACD establish a sustainable funding committee
  • Rock Lake CD Name Change
  • WACD Officer Term of Service
  • Representation of non-dues paying WACD Member-Districts
  • Participation at Annual Business Meetings
• 2:30 PM – Election of WACD Officers 
  • President
  • Vice-President
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • National Director
• 3:00 PM – Tentative Business Meeting Adjournment

Wednesday, December 1st 

WACD Board Work Session & Orientation for new Officers

See the WACD Board Members webpage for more details.

 

Thursday, December 2nd 

WSCC Commission Meeting

See the Commission website for more details

Resolutions

1 – Resolutions: as assigned to WACD Committees

WACD committees review assigned resolutions and present one of three recommendations to the membership:

• Vote to recommend passage
• Vote to recommend passage with amendments; or,
• Recommend Do-Not-Pass

On November 4th, the two committees heard testimony from the original sponsor district and were able to ask questions. Other interested parties were invited to provide their comments at this time as well. Those resolutions related to bylaw changes were voted on at this meeting, and communicated to the Board of Directors for their meeting on November 15th.

On November 20th, the committees met again to offer amendments and adopt their recommendations to the remaining resolutions pending. Committee votes are conducted by the committee members present and recommendations require a simple majority vote.

Committees may consider an original Committee Resolution (i.e. a resolution that was not adopted at area meetings.)

Natural Resources Committee

• 2021-01 Establish HAB Workgroup (1449 downloads )
• 2021-02 NRCS Reimbursable Rate for Riparian Practices (1868 downloads )
• 2021-03 Reverse New FSA Emergency Conservation Program Rules on Fencing (3422 downloads )
• 2021-04 Support WA NRCS Approval for Cost Share for Soil Carbon Amendment (3417 downloads )
• 2021-05 Livestock Riparian Water Rights (1312 downloads )
• 2021-06 Solar Panel Conversion Position Statement (2184 downloads )

Legislative, Bylaws, and District Policies Committee

• 2021-07A Sustainable Funding Committee (1646 downloads )
• 2021-07B WACD Sustainable Funding Committee (1737 downloads )
• 2021-07C WACD Sustainable Funding Committee (1709 downloads )
• 2021-07D WACD Sustainable Funding Committee (1737 downloads )
• 2021-07E WACD Sustainable Funding Committee (1588 downloads )
• 2021-07F WACD Sustainable Funding Committee (1937 downloads )
• 2021-08 Workplace Policy Improvements (1326 downloads )
• 2021-09 Stable Funding for CD Wildfire Risk Assessments (2520 downloads )
• 2021-10 Area Cost Share Rates (1183 downloads )
• 2021-11 Prioritize Status Quo Budget (1334 downloads )
• 2021-12 Transparent and Identifiable Agency Visits (1375 downloads )
• 2021-13 WACD Support for Overtime Exemption During Harvest Periods (2420 downloads )
• 2021-14 Correcting Technological caused issues from 2020 WACD meeting (1452 downloads )
• 2021-15 Adherence to WACD Bylaws (1595 downloads )
• 2021-16 Supervisor Code of Conduct (1308 downloads )

Bylaws resolutions for the WACD Board

• 2021-07A Sustainable Funding Committee (1646 downloads )
• 2021-07B WACD Sustainable Funding Committee (1737 downloads )
• 2021-07C WACD Sustainable Funding Committee (1709 downloads )
• 2021-07D WACD Sustainable Funding Committee (1737 downloads )
• 2021-07E WACD Sustainable Funding Committee (1588 downloads )
• 2021-07F WACD Sustainable Funding Committee (1937 downloads )
• 2021-15 Adherence to WACD Bylaws (1595 downloads )

2 – Resolutions: current status

Resolution	Description	Area / Sponsor	Committee	Status 11/19/2021
2021-01 WACD establish workgroup to evaluate HAB problem and funding	WACD supports formation of a workgroup to assess the status of HABs in the state, the adequacy of current funding for monitoring HABs, the adequacy of funding for programs to address HABs statewide, and to recommend actions that conservation districts should take to reduce the frequency and duration of HABs in Washington. The committee has a one-year charter to report back to the association and the board.	NW - Whidbey Island CD	Natural Resources Policy Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO PASS AS AMENDED • 11/30/2021: Adopted as recommended by the Committee
2021-02 Request for NRCS to update the reimbursable rate for riparian practices	WACD supports working with NACD to request NRCS re-evaluate their payment rate for riparian practices (612, 614, 490, 382, 384, 395, 643, 647, other as identified), and to adopt a new rate that recognizes the true regional cost of implementing effective riparian restoration.	NW - Skagit CD	Natural Resources Policy Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO PASS AS AMENDED • 11/30/2021: Adopted as recommended by the Committee
2021-03 Reverse New FSA Emergency Conservation Program Rules on Fencing	WACD and NACD work with the USDA Farm Service Agency to revert the recent Emergency Conservation Program rules to pre-2021 rules, particularly in regards to full replacement of fencing, making public lands eligible for practice installation, and giving local county committees their jurisdiction to adapt the program as needed.	NC - Okanogan CD	Natural Resources Policy Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO PASS • 11/30/2021: Adopted as recommended by the Committee
2021-04 Support WA NRCS Approval for Cost-Share for Soil Carbon Amendment	WACD work with Washington State NRCS and others as appropriate to get the Soil Carbon Amendment (808) added to the necessary list of cost-share eligible practices in Washington State.	NC - Okanogan CD	Natural Resources Policy Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO PASS • 11/30/2021: Adopted as recommended by the Committee
2021-05 Livestock Riparian Water Rights	WSCC and WACD will work together to formally request Washington State Department of Ecology to provide a definitive statewide consistent statement or fact sheet on Riparian Livestock Water Rights. Including how livestock owners can provide water to livestock and not be in violation of either water QUALITY and/or RESOURCE laws and Ecology policy in a simple, non-cost restrictive manner. If Ecology is not able to provide such a document by June 30, 2022 WACD livestock committee should be reactivated to research how to change Ecology policy to encourage livestock operations to protect water quality through off channel watering. WACD to comment on the draft changes to Dept of Ecology Policy 1025 in the form that the policy changes is significantly negatively impact the potential of voluntary water quality and riparian habitat protections. And put into jeopardy livestock grazing operations which do not have documented water rights. And comment that current alternatives such as drilling wells and hauling water in many cases is not feasible. WACD shall also create a Livestock Task Force to address the issue of livestock water rights and others livestock issues as identified. WACD and WSCC to track progress of changes and keep all Conservation Districts informed and coordinate efforts to ensure livestock have water rights from historical use and or carrying capacity of pasture and range with surface water.	NE - Stevens County CD	Natural Resources Policy Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO PASS AS AMENDED • 11/30/2021: Adopted as recommended by the Committee
2021-06 Solar Panel Position Statement	11/4/2021: That WACD develop a position statement by March 1st of 2022, to address the conversion, and the negative effect of mitigation, to working lands related to solar farms. 11/20/2021: That WACD develop a position statement by March 1st of 2022, to address the conversion of working lands including shrubsteppe to solar farms. And the negative effect of taking working lands out of production to mitigate solar farms. FINAL 11/30/2021: That WACD develop a position statement to address the conversion of working lands to solar farms. And the effect of taking working lands out of production to mitigate solar farms. And to present a recommendation on the position at the Annual Business Meeting in 2022.	SC - SC Area Association	Natural Resources Policy Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO PASS AS AMENDED • 11/30/2021: Adopted following additional amendments from the floor.
2021-07B WACD establish a sustainable funding committee	The WACD president establish (under Part X,§1 of the WACD by-laws) a permanent committee to review and develop identified and new opportunities for consistent and stable funding for CDs statewide. The sustainable funding committee will report progress and recommendations to the WACD board quarterly or as actions require. A progress report to the membership will be made at least annually. (Consider adding WACD as recipient of possible sources of revenue for distribution to CDs.)	NW - NW Area Association	Legislative, Bylaws, and District Policies Committee	• 11/4/2021: DO PASS recommendation for resolution 2021-07B by committee, and DO NOT PASS recommendations for resolutions 2021-07A, 07C, 07D, 07E, and 07F • 11/30/2021: This was addressed later in the meeting in the section on bylaws changes. It passed by unanimous voice vote.
2021-08 Workplace Policy Improvements	Resolved that all organizations will have policies and procedures to address such grievance issues and that the policies need to be updated, communicated, adhered to, with regular training for boards and staff. It follows that such issues can be addressed by prompt investigation/resolution internally, rather than a legal/external process with cost and risk included. Therefore, all reports of negative, toxic workplace issues including those in letters of resignation, will be investigated by the local organization followed by WACD, WSCC and/or third party as needed with resolution and learnings/findings communicated to help all affected organization(s) improve and to prevent future problems. WACD to work with WSCC to craft template language for a grievance policy and procedure that conservation districts may choose to adopt or adapt.	SW - Cowlitz CD	Legislative, Bylaws, and District Policies Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO PASS AS AMENDED • 11/30/2021: Adopted as recommended by the Committee
2021-09 Stable Funding for CD Wildfire Risk Assessments	WACD shall make it a policy priority to communicate the need for fire preparedness funding should go that goes directly to conservation districts via the Conservation Commission. WACD shall work with the Conservation Commission, Washington State Governor’s Office, Washington State Legislature, Washington Department of Natural Resources, and others as appropriate, to get dedicated funding and ensure the funding appropriation remains in each budget cycle thereafter.	NC - Okanogan CD	Legislative, Bylaws, and District Policies Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO PASS AS AMENDED • 11/30/2021: Adopted as recommended by the Committee
2021-10 Establish Area Cost Share Rates	Establish local rates (i.e. by WACD areas NE Area, SE, SW) for landowners use equipment rentals to be used for SWCC cost share funded projects. Rates will be established from area rates. The area rates would be reviewed and renewed biannually. Rates will be submitted to WSCC as renewed. WACD work with member districts and WSCC to develop landowner equipment use/rental rates more appropriate to local areas. Rates will be reviewed and renewed every two years and submitted to the WSCC. WACD will work with WSCC to ensure these area rates are eligible for cost-share reimbursement rates.	NE - Lincoln County CD	Legislative, Bylaws, and District Policies Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO PASS AS AMENDED • 11/30/2021: Adopted as recommended by the Committee
2021-11 Prioritize Status Quo Budget	The WWCCD board of supervisors requestsThat WACD prioritize maintaining funding levels of existing programs when seeking new funding.	SE - Walla Walla County CD	Legislative, Bylaws, and District Policies Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO PASS AS AMENDED • 11/30/2021: Adopted as recommended by the Committee
2021-12 Transparent and Identifiable Agency Visits	WACD to work with other agencies to be fully transparent on all official contact/activities with property owners through prior notification and acceptance of proposed dealings. Additionally, to be properly identified through vehicle, clothing, and other means necessary.	SE - Columbia CD	Legislative, Bylaws, and District Policies Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO PASS • 11/30/2021: Adopted as recommended by the Committee
2021-13 WACD Support for Overtime Exemption During Harvest Periods	That WACD support any legislative proposals that reinstate the agricultural work exemptions from overtime standards from both the federal fair labor standards act and the state minimum wage act during periods of harvest.	SC - Franklin CD	Legislative, Bylaws, and District Policies Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO NOT PASS • 11/30/2021: Adopted on a roll call vote of the membership
2021-14 Correcting Technological caused issues from 2020 WACD meeting	WACD fully recognizes the short comings of technology and how its use can be exclusionary. WACD recognize the value of all its members and make every effort to ensure that all members input is heard and not marginalize as it was in the 2020 WACD Annual Meeting. WACD recognizes the use of technology and in-person meetings and how either can be exclusionary. WACD values its members and makes reasonable effort to ensure members input is heard.	SC - North Yakima CD	Legislative, Bylaws, and District Policies Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO PASS AS AMENDED • 11/30/2021: Adopted as recommended by the Committee
2021-15 Adherence to WACD By-Laws	First, WACD shall re-adopt the WACD by-laws as written and approved by the WACD body prior to the WACD 2020 Annual meeting. Second, WACD hold the WACD Board, WACD Officers and WACD Executive Director accountable to carry out our By-Laws at all times.	SC - North Yakima CD	Legislative, Bylaws, and District Policies Committee	• 11/4/2021: DO PASS motion failed for lack of a second. • 11/15/2021: The WACD Board of Directors considered, but did not recommend, this resolution. Therefore, resolution 2021-15 will not be presented at the 2021 Annual Business Meeting.
2021-16 Supervisor Code of Conduct	That WSCC and the WACD Board of Directors (as defined in WACD’s By-Laws) initiate discussions around the need for a Code of Conduct for Conservation District Supervisors. If those discussions warrant a review and/or development of further action items then the WSCC shall lead the effort. The WACD Board of Directors will task the Executive Officers President to form any committee temporary task force as deemed necessary by the WSCC.	SC - North Yakima CD	Legislative, Bylaws, and District Policies Committee	• 11/4/2021: Reviewed by committee • 11/20/2021: DO PASS AS AMENDED • 11/30/2021: Adopted as recommended by the Committee

3 – Adopting recommendations of Joint Committee on Elections

A motion to adopt the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Elections was adopted on a voice vote. Those recommendations are summarized as:

• Part 1: Conduct elections every other year.
• Part 2: Extend supervisor terms (both appointed and elected) from three-year terms to four-year terms.
• Part 3: Conduct district elections during one “Conservation Month”.
• Part 4: Allow conservation districts the option to go on the general election ballot.

4 – Proposed bylaws changes

The list of proposed changes to WACD bylaws is shown below:

• Resolution 2021-07B WACD establish a sustainable funding committee
• Rock Lake CD Name Change
• WACD Officer Term of Service
• Representation of non-dues paying WACD Member-Districts
• Participation at Annual Business Meetings

A motion was made to adopt all changes as a slate. Members asked that the resolution about a sustainable funding committee and the change in WACD officer terms be removed from the slate. The remaining items were adopted on a voice vote of the members.

Resolution 2021-07B about WACD establishing a sustainable funding committee was adopted by a voice vote with no votes cast against and no voters abstaining.

The proposed change in WACD officer terms of service for the president and vice president from a one-year term with a two-term limit was adopted on a voice vote of the members. This change does not take effect for officers elected at this meeting; it will be effective with the next officer election at the 2022 annual business meeting.

5 – Business brought from the floor

A resolution was brought forward to reconsider the Board of Director’s Vote to adopt the recommendations of the Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The motion to Reconsider was adopted, followed by substantial discussion by the membership on the committee’s recommended policy statement and proposed three-year plan. A motion to refer the matter back to the Special Committee failed on a voice vote, and the proposed recommendations were adopted via a voice vote.

The Washington Association of Conservation Districts will be holding its Annual Business Meeting on November 30th. At this meeting, resolutions to set the priorities for the membership will be voted on and the membership will elect state officers. Participants will include the conservation districts of Washington State and partners.

Envirothon

November 22: The Envirothon auction is live at https://www.biddingowl.com/WashingtonStateEnvirothon(or try https://www.biddingowl.com/Auction/index.cfm?auctionID=24331). You will need to create a Bidding Owl account to participate.

The Envirothon auction will run from November 22nd to December 7th.

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Support Washington State Envirothon! This year’s auction is virtual and all proceeds from the auction will go to support the Washington State Envirothon team on their road to Nationals. Washington State regional competitions will be combined with the state competition this year in a virtual format. Your financial support will help students prepare themselves for this year’s environmental competition and to be potential future leaders in the environmental and natural resources field.