Wyoming Watersheds Progress 2005
Snake River Watershed
Star Valley
Conservation District
PO Box 216
625 Washington, Room C
Afton, WY 83110
307-886-9001
brenda.ashworth@wy.nacdnet.org
Salt River
Background
In 2002, the Salt River was listed as impaired from fecal coliform. The segment listed is 3.4 miles northwest of Etna and is an undetermined distance up and down stream.
Monitoring Activities
The Star Valley Conservation District completed BURP assessments in October 2002, and fecal coliform sampling was conducted throughout 2003 and 2004.
Planning
The Star Valley Conservation District held a meeting in February 2003 for the landowners adjacent to the Salt River and tributaries. Landowner names and address were obtained from Lincoln County, Wyoming, and Bonneville and Caribou Counties in Idaho. The meeting was held with approximately 34 landowners and the Natural Resources Conservation Service in attendance. Approximately sixteen people signed up to be on the Salt River Watershed Plan Steering Committee. The Salt River Watershed Committee met in February 2005 to review public comments and finalize the plan. The plan was signed by DEQ on July 20, 2005.
Implementation Activities
The District implemented an Ag Waste grant in 2003. As a result of this grant program, cost-share was provided for riparian fencing and manure bunkers. The grant program also included information and education efforts that were conducted by the District. Seminars were held to assist producers with the development of Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans. Many other producers participated in the Farm Bill Environmental Quality Incentives Program and installed various best management practices. The District also implemented a technical assistance grant in 2004. The 319 funding provided by DEQ and EPA allowed the District to hire a technician to complete water quality monitoring. Through a grant provided by the Department of Agriculture, technical assistance was provided for the development of the Salt River Watershed Plan. Additional funds through WDA will allow the District to continue water quality sampling.
Participants
There are representatives from WY Game & Fish, USDA-Forest Service, Town of Afton, Lincoln County Planning Office, Star Valley Conservation District, USDA-NRCS Afton Field Office and ten landowners on the Salt River Watershed Plan Steering Committee. A representative from USDA-NRCS Soda Springs, Idaho Field Office and the Conservation District have expressed interest in receiving the results of this Plan.
Funding
Amount
Sources
Local $ 35,686.00
Star Valley CD
State $ 45,000.00
WY Department of Agriculture
Federal $224,400.00 Dept. of
Environmental Quality/EPA
Private $ 24,704.00 Natural
Resources Conservation Service
Private landowners
Volunteer water samplers, District Board Members Leron Allred & Garry Crook
Ralph Bonner collecting water samples for E. Coli testing on the Salt River