General Information

Government Type

Special Service District

Entity

Sanpete Conservation District

Public Body

Board of Supervisors

Notice Information

Add Notice to Calendar

Notice Title

Sanpete Meeting Minutes

Notice Type(s)

Meeting

Event Start Date & Time

August 13, 2026 10:00 AM

Event End Date & Time

August 13, 2026 12:30 PM

Event Deadline Date & Time

08/13/26 10:00 AM

Description/Agenda

Meeting Minutes SANPETE CONSERVATION DISTRICT Thursday, August 13th, 2026 Time: 10:00 A.M. USDA Service Center LOCATION: 32 East 450 North Ephraim Utah, 84627 NRCS Conference Room ________________________________________ ATTENDANCE: SURPERVISORS: Scott Sunderland, Bruce Christenson, Scott Mower, Thomas Blackham Excused: Michael Larson Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS): Wade Ingram (District Conservationist), Joanna Justesen (NRCS PSS-Admin Assistant) CD clerk, Christian Lund (Soil Conservationist), Zach Farnsworth (Natural Resource Conservationist), James Longmore (UACD-NRCS), Jacob Hall (NRCS-DNR), Curtis Mason (NRCS) Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF): ) BreeAnn Bloomfield (Watershed Planner) Kate Baustian(UGS), JP Contreras (Resource Coordinator) 1. Agenda: Welcome and Introductions: a)After the Board reviewed the agenda, Scott Mower approved a motion, and Thomas Blackham seconded the motion. The motion carried. Scott Sunderland then asked whether the Board had reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting, noting that they were longer because the prior meeting had extended beyond its usual length. Scott Mower made a motion to approve the minutes, and Thomas Blackham seconded the motion. Scott Sunderland stated that the motion passed unanimously. 3. Clerk Report: a) The board was initially scheduled to review updates on currently obligated contracts and enter a closed session during this portion of the meeting. However, after consulting with JP, Wade reported that the contract reviews and all closed sessions should take place at the end of the meeting. JP confirmed that all closed sessions should henceforth be conducted at the conclusion of board meetings. Wade stated that he would address all NRCS business during his designated portion of the agenda. b) Joanna discussed submitting the second Transparency Report and noted that the D&I Report had also been resubmitted. I distributed printed copies of the Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure Forms, Financial Certifications, Self-Evaluations, and Fraud Risk Assessments for board members to sign. The chair and vice chair must sign the fraud risk assessments. 3.Financial Business: CD Board a) Fourth-quarter State Grant reimbursement: $6,731.13; SERA reimbursement: $2,414.57; total: $9,145.70. b) No-till drill deposit: $185.00 c) Upcoming Events: San Pitch Watershed Days will take place on September 16 and 17, 2026, which fall on a Wednesday and Thursday. The location has not yet been determined because the fairgrounds may be unavailable due to their use for the senior citizens' 'Meals on Wheels' program. BreeAnn asked whether the board would be willing to provide lunch for the meeting on both days, as it did last year. She also asked whether the board could cover other activity-related expenses, such as materials for the seed-planting activity and coloring contests. Water Quality is willing to contribute up to $250 toward venue costs, if needed. BreeAnn will visit the Family Center in Manti as a possible location. Scott Sunderland asked about the expected cost and whether it could be compared with last year's expenses. JP said that itemized cost forms could be provided to the board before the events or at the next meeting to ensure that more accurate figures are available. Scott Sunderland suggested keeping the funding at the same amount as last year. Scott Mower asked whether the board should postpone the matter and approve what it could at that time. Scott Mower moved to review and ratify the matter later. Thomas Blackham seconded the motion. The motion passed. d) Tree sales from Sevier to Sanpete totaled $1,027.00. Two shared planner amounts for Q1 and Q3 were recorded: $925.25 from Freemont River and Sevier County, and $925.95 from Freemont River. f) SERA: Please confirm whether Bruce attended the meeting requiring reimbursement. Bruce did not attend the county commission meeting. 4.Board Business: (Board Members) Upcoming Projects and Meetings: I. San Pitch Watershed Days: September 16-17, 2026, Wednesday and Thursday. II. Convention: St. George, November 2026. a) Scott Sunderland mentioned the potential use of SERA funds, pending confirmation of whether Bruce attended the meeting and whether reimbursement will be required. b) Breeann proposed asking the board about holding Sanpete Education Week. Mike recommended repeating the event. Breeann asked whether it would have a theme. JP noted that Courtney Freeze had contacted him regarding themes and education weeks and would coordinate the planning moving forward. c) Previously, the educational program was offered to fourth-grade students. JP suggested expanding it to grades 3-6. Breeann stated that teachers would likely support holding the event again. A Field Day may also be scheduled later in the year, before the UACD convention in November. Because the convention will take place during the middle of the week, Field Day would most likely be held on a Thursday. d) The Cattlemen's Association and Farm Bureaus will participate in events scheduled for October. Breeann reviewed the various stations and emphasized the teachers' and students' appreciation of the poster-based Education Week initiative. 5. UDAF Business: Jp Contreras (Resource Coordinator), BreeAnn Bloomfield (Watershed Planner) a) Updates: JP provided updates on the ERDL loans, UCC grants, and expenses eligible for payment. To date, the fires have resulted in the loss of approximately 12,000 sheep and 13,000 cattle. Wade reported a 30% loss on the Piute side. b) ARDL (JP Contreras): JP informed the Board that $3.7 million had been approved and processed through the UCC. Of the original $6 million allocation, $3.7 million had been distributed as of three weeks earlier. The FSA has established a Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP) payment rate intended to provide relief equal to 75% of the national average value for animals that have died. The Commission has also issued an agreement stating that approved funds may be used for expenses necessary to sustain an affected business. Applicants must itemize and submit these expenses for review by the state financial office. Eligible expenses may include payroll; equipment payments; farm maintenance; vehicle repairs; land-loan or lease payments; water-canal company assessments; current farm or business taxes; pastureland and rangeland loan or rental payments; other agricultural debt obligations; and materials or supplies required to maintain operations during the disaster. JP noted that requests involving construction projects, such as completing a hay barn, may require additional review. If the project is not necessary to prevent the business from failing, it may not qualify as an eligible expense, making building-related requests more difficult to approve. Scott Sunderland asked how far into the following year payments could extend and whether all funds had to be spent by December 31. JP explained that the timeline would depend on each applicant's cash-flow needs and circumstances. Decisions would ultimately be subject to review by the state office. Board members suggested inviting representatives from the FSA, BLM, and other relevant agencies to future meetings considering the recent fires and flooding. c) Watershed (BreeAnn Bloomfield): Cate Baustian provided an update on the Aquaphor study, which is approximately halfway through the review process. The updated materials will be distributed to the group later. The discussion covered groundwater, including the process for measuring surface-water-to-groundwater relationships, and reviewed the highlighted results. Well measurements from 1935 to 2000 indicated relatively stable groundwater levels; since 2000, levels have shown a slight decline. The discussion focused on the Sanpete Valley, above Gunnison Reservoir. The USCS is measuring fewer wells than in the past, and the most recent measurements were taken in 2024. Water rights funds supported 50% of the studies. Concerns were raised about how many change applications can be approved while protecting senior water rights. Reduced snowpack was identified as one of the primary factors affecting groundwater levels. Sanpete County is not a major groundwater-use area, which may explain why groundwater levels there have remained relatively stable. BreeAnn proposed incorporating watershed matters into the watershed business meeting. She stated that she had been informed that the meetings did not fulfil their intended purpose and noted that some participants had described attendance as a poor use of their time. Only two people attended the most recent meeting, making it difficult to sustain the group. BreeAnn stated that the group's purpose had been fulfilled and that future discussions could take place during the Conservation District's monthly meetings rather than through two separate meetings. Scott Sunderland asked whether BreeAnn had spoken with Jay. BreeAnn said she had contacted Jay multiple times but had not received a response. She proposed holding the Sanpitch watershed meeting during the Conservation District board meetings. Scott asked whether board action was the only way to proceed, and BreeAnn confirmed that it was. Scott stated that the issue could not be resolved during the current meeting but needed to be addressed. BreeAnn emphasized that the organization was valuable and that funds brought to the watershed were ultimately administered by the Conservation District board, even when the watershed was not referenced in contracts or applications. Scott confirmed that Conservation District board members manage those funds. He recommended continuing the discussion at the next meeting, when Mike would be present. Because BreeAnn has been managing these matters without additional support, Scott said the issue should be resolved promptly. 6.CD Employee Business: a) Updates: No-till drill and Level One planner training have been completed. In-person training still needs to be coordinated. JP and James created a contact resource list for emergencies. The program information was simplified to clarify what the programs offer. They would like to know where it should be posted. Scott wants to wait for Mike before releasing the information. b) James indicated that Matt Palmer has not responded back to him in regards to soil health field days. However he did want the board to be aware that it is things are in progress. Scott Sunderland mentioned having the discussion of virtual collars implemented into soil health field days would be beneficial. James mentioned Matt has A classroom in Manti, which could be helpful. Scott asked who wants the drill, and James said that someone needs it next week. 7.NRCS Business: a) Reorganization update Wade reported that the reorganization is now fully underway. Staffing changes are expected, including both departures and new hires, and some employees may relocate. Many details remain unclear. A meeting was held last week regarding reorganization assignments, and employees are expected to receive letters confirming whether they will remain in their current positions. The letters are expected to arrive on August 14, 2026. Former state conservation employee Emily stated that no one will be required to relocate. However, employees in Richfield received letters indicating that they will move to Logan. Approximately 30 additional employees are expected to be hired. Critical vacancies will be filled first, and all positions must be addressed by September 2027. The organization is 100% obligated, except for one SGI allocation and special fire funding. Four teams have been combined into one, which Curtis is working to complete by the end of the month. James and another partner were preparing a project, but it is currently on hold because of the fires. EDR refers to emergency damage assessments conducted before a damage survey is submitted to request funding. It is uncertain whether EWP funding will be awarded. EWP funding supports the protection of property, lives, and infrastructure. James is a Sterling Scholar and a certified planner. The meeting entered a closed session. Scott Mower made the motion, Bruce Christenson seconded it, and the motion carried. Reconvene into an open session. Motion made by Thomas Blackham to close the closed session and to enter back into an open session, Bruce Christenson seconded. Motion carried. 8. Other Business: a) Other: Discussion of James Evaluation was brought up and informed we would take care of it at the next meeting where Mike would be present. Along with the Certifications, and financial documents which required Mikes signature. Will be presented again at the next meeting, b) The next upcoming CD meeting will take place on Thursday, September 10th, 2026. Located at the Ephraim Field Office 32 East 450 North Ephraim, UT 84627. c) Motion to close the meeting made by Bruce Christenson, seconded by Scott Mower. Motion Carried. The meeting was adjourned.

Notice of Special Accommodations (ADA)

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify Michael Larson, Chair

Notice of Electronic or Telephone Participation

NA

Meeting Information

Meeting Location

32 east 450 north
Ephraim, UT 84627
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Contact Name

Joanna Justesen

Contact Email

joanna.justesen@usda.gov

Contact Phone

1-385-505-7032

Notice Posting Details

Notice Posted On

September 10, 2026 09:22 AM

Notice Last Edited On

September 10, 2026 09:22 AM

Deadline Date

August 13, 2026 10:00 AM

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