GREEN RIVER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Meeting Location: Green River City Hall, Green River, UT 84525

Meeting Date: April 13, 2026

Start Time: 5:00 P.M.

End Time: 6:45 P.M.

Attendees:

Supervisors: In Attendance - Chris Dunham, Tonya Bigelow, Coby Hunt, Lee Thayn

Absent: Tyler Hunt

Associate Members: Olivia Dunham (Clerk)

Agency Personnel: Ryan Jones (Zone 7 Coordinator/Planner), Julie Weber (Conservation Planner), Lowell Gardner (NRCS District Conservationist), Rowe Zwahlen (EC Agriculture Director/USU Extension)

Guests: Gayna Salinas

Approval of Agenda – Coby Hunt made a motion to approve the agenda; Tonya Bigelow seconded the motion. Motion was passed unanimously.

Approval of Minutes of Meeting – Coby Hunt made a motion to approve the minutes with correction that the application form for GRCD supervisor’s position was also handed to Lance Erwin; Tonya Bigelow seconded the motion. Motion was passed unanimously.

Public Comments/Concerns – None.

Request for Assistance – None.

Conservation Business:

Drought Declaration – The US Drought Monitor that Ryan and Julie participated is what the FSA uses to haul water. GR area is considered in category D3, which should be in D4 now, which is the worst drought. Ryan asked the board if they are willing in writing a letter to the County Commission, same as what he drafted for SRCD; and the GRCD letter will be in support of that SRCD letter. Tonya Bigelow moved for the approval of writing the same letter with SRCD but with modification; Coby Hunt seconded the motion. Motion was carried. Ryan will send the letter to Tyler for signature. Gayna suggested that it be sent to the GR Council as well for their awareness of the drought.

Finance –

a. Financial Report - Olivia reported on the financial as follows:

b. Pay bills as brought before the board –

Olivia Dunham – Office supplies	$ 12.11

UACD Reimbursement of clerical payroll	1,761.60

Lee Thayn moved for the approval of the financial report together with the payment of the reimbursements request; Tonya Bigelow seconded the motion. Motion was passed unanimously.

Olivia reminded the board that they should spend some more of the board’s money as there were not much expenses yet to report to the UCC for the reimbursement. Suggestions were made like buying equipment and helping with local scholarship should the local applicant didn’t get the scholarship with UACD.

Meetings/Trainings/Upcoming Events

UDAF Drought Meeting in April 23 @ 4:30pm @ GR Senior Center – To discuss drought stuff and strategies.

Zone 7 Round Table Meeting with UDAF – Apr. 23 @ GR Senior Center @ 6pm – This will be for supervisors. Legislators will be there. Jace Farnsworth and Bill Butcher will be there. There’s going to be presentation of each Zone 7 conservation district. Ryan will prepare GRCD’s presentation. Since Tyler Hunt, the GRCD chairman is on paternity leave, Tonya Bigelow will present the report. Ryan is attending the County Commission’s meeting to present the what the conservation districts are doing. They will discuss fundings and also the drought situation.

Coby Hunt moved for the approval of payment of milage for the supervisors who will attend the meetings; Tonya Bigelow seconded the motion. Motion carried.

UDAF/UACD Zone 7 Business – The UACD scholarship application is out. Olivia printed the flyer and application forms and had it posted at the post office and put the application forms there too.

NRCS Business – Lowell explained again about the rankings and selections; and sent letters to selected participants. Next month they will bring plans for review. NRCS is taking applications on continuous basis. He also mentioned to the board to start looking and following up on the workgroup meetings so they can put an action plan to address the concerns. He brought a map with a summary and gave each one present a copy. Since not everyone of the concerns on the list will be applicable to each district, he requested the board to find out which could be applicable to their own district. Suggestions were said. The undershot was mentioned as to what is the goal of it and that is for the canal not to wash out; as if there is even just one flashflood, the canal will be done. Partnership with NRCS and/or state for fundings was mentioned including applying for Water Optimization program. Question as to what will be the next step was asked and suggestions were made as well but basically, moving forward is part of the goal; calling FSA if loan is possible and getting engineering done.

FSA Business – None.

Extension Business – Rowe Zwahlen – They, Rowe and Gayna Salinas, are planning a Tree Workshop and still working on the schedule. He asked the board if they would want to contribute a fund for the meal. The dates being thought of are May 6 or the 13th, probably from 10:00AM to 2:00PM. Coby Hunt moved for the approval of $1,000.00 contribution for the tree workshop meal; Lee Thayn seconded the motion. Motion was passed unanimously.

Other Supervisor Business – ARDL loan application of Lee Thayn.

The closed meeting was opened by Tonya Bigelow, while Coby Hunt seconded the motion. There were four supervisors present (names as listed in the attendance above).

Lee Thayn abstained from voting. Coby Hunt moved for the ARDL loan to be tabled pending more information to be gathered; Chris Dunham seconded the motion. Motion was carried.

The closed meeting was ended.

Complete SERA Forms –

Tonya Bigelow moved the meeting to be adjourned; Coby Hunt seconded the motion.

Next Meeting: May 11, 2026 @ Green River City Hall @ 5P.M.