Pope Soil & Water

Providing Quality Conservation Resources since 1949

Providing Quality Conservation Resources Since 1949
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Special Weed of the Week Edition-Emerald Ash Borer

Emerald Ash Borer is an invasive beetle from Asia that infects and kills all native species of ash trees in North America. The larvae create tunnels under the bark as they feed. As these tunnels accumulate the ash tree begins to show signs of infestation. Once a tree shows symptoms of infestation it usually dies within 1-3 years.

The Spread:

Emerald Ash Borer was first found in North America in Michigan in 2002. Since then it has spread to numerous other states and Canadian provinces including Minnesota. In 2009, it was found in St. Paul and spread through the metro area. By 2016, the beetle had found its way to Duluth and most recently in 2019 it was found in 10 trees in Sauk Centre, MN.

The Threat:

With an estimated 1 billion ash trees throughout the state, emerald ash borer poses a substantial environmental and economic threat. EAB infestations are difficult to identify in the early stages and spread by both natural and artificial means; therefore, quarantines are enacted when an infestation is discovered. A map of the current EAB status can be found at the following website https://mnag.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=63ebb977e2924d27b9ef0787ecedf6e9.

The Fight:

EAB’s active period is from May 1st to September 30th so it is best to avoid any removal or pruning of ash trees during this time. If you must prune or remove ash trees during this time due to health hazards have at least 1” of the outer bark and wood chipped onsite before transporting it to a removal site. It’s also important to not transport firewood to help control the spread of EAB. Landowners can also help control the spread of EAB by looking for systems of infestation.

Symptoms to look for include:

  • Canopy thinning – branches will progressively start dying each year after infestation
  • Increased woodpecker activity – these birds like to feed on the larvae, particularly downy and hairy woodpeckers
  • D-shaped exit holes – the adults leave distinct D-shaped exit holes about 1/8” wide when they emerge from the tree
  • Serpentine tunnels/bark splits – the larvae create meandering S-shaped tunnels as they feed on the vascular tissue of the tree which is only visible when the bark is peeled away. These tunnels can cause a split in the bark.

If you suspect one of your trees to have Emerald Ash Borer please call the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Arrest the Pest hotline at 888-545-6684. Also note the exact location of the tree and take a digital photo if possible. Landowners can also contact the local Pope County Ag Inspector- Barry Bouwman at 320-634-7791 or the Swift County Ag Inspector- Tom Orr at 320-843-4910.

Filed Under: General, News

TREE PICKUP TIME HAS ARRIVED

The Trees/shrubs you ordered from Pope SWCD will be ready to pick up between 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 3rd and 8:00 a.m. and Noon on Saturday, May 4th. We will know if we have additional trees/shrubs right away. These will be available at pick up times.

Pick up will be at the Kelly and Audrey Erickson Farm 33125 State Hwy 28, Starbuck, MN 56381. A map of the pickup location printed below. We ask that you arrange to pick up your trees/shrubs at this time.

If you have an outstanding balance please pay for your trees/shrubs now, preferably by check. If you must pay on pick up day, please pay by check. Please note if you have paid in advance you will be able to go through the pickup process in an express line. Those who have a balance may have a longer wait time. If you have any questions or comments, you can call our office at (320) 634-5327.

From Glenwood/Starbuck: Take Hwy 28 W toward Morris go approximately 12 miles watch for tree pickup signs on South side of road. It is located about 4 more miles west of Starbuck on HWY 28, south side of the road.

TREE PICKUP TIME HAS ARRIVED 2019

Sincerely,

Kelly Erickson, Sales Program Manager

Filed Under: Events, General, News

Sauk River Watershed One Watershed One Plan Informational Meetings

Greetings,

 Sauk River Watershed 1 Watershed 1 Plan has a public hearing that will be held on Tuesday November 13th at Elmerz in Sauk Centre or Wednesday November 14th at the Stearns County Service Center.  These meetings will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. these two evenings.

 This information will be used to provide input to develop the 10-year management plan for the watershed.  For more information visit http://srwdmn.org.

 We would like to invite you to take the online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SaukRiver.

SaukRiver Watershed Announcement_v2infomeeting– Informational Meeting Flyer see attached link

 

Filed Under: Events, General, News

Pope SWCD MONITORING PLAN FOR BUFFER COMPLIANCE TRACKING

§103F.48 RIPARIAN PROTECTION AND WATER QUALITY PRACTICES

1. COMPLIANCE TRACKING OF ALL PARCELS SUBJECT TO THE BUFFER LAW

All parcels in the county are to be reviewed within a 3‐year timeframe. The SWCD will review all parcels once every 3 years. This will coincide with the new aerial imagery received by the Farm Service Agency. Google Earth may also be utilized or the Counties Pictometry Imagery.

2. RANDOM SPOT CHECKS

Random spot checks will be done in addition to the tracking of all parcels within a 3‐year span. These checks may be conducted via aerial photo review or on‐site review depending on availability of updated aerial photos and the practice that is being checked/access to farms. A combination of both aerial and on‐site review may also be used.

a. The SWCD will conduct 25‐50 parcels on a random spot check each year outside of the scheduled area.

Note: ** There are 4,445 applicable parcels in Pope County.

b. Additionally, the SWCD should review parcels of emphasis more frequently.

 Previously non‐compliant

 No‐till/Conservation tillage or cover crop alternative practice plans

 Variable width buffers (i.e. Land O’ Lakes buffer tool, Decision Support Tool)

 Other Alternative Practice Plans

 Cost‐share funded projects (years 1,5,9 of contract)

 Parcels of further emphasis (potential violators)

3. PROCESS TO HANDLE COMPLAINTS

  • Pope SWCD will investigate public complaints related to buffer law compliance but documenting the compliant including, location, landowner, potential violation, etc. Pope SWCD will then further investigate the compliant by aerial review, landowner calls, and field site checks.
  • If a violation of buffer law non‐compliance is found Pope SWCD will inform the enforcing agency (Pope Land and Resource Management, North Fork Crow River Watershed District or Sauk River Watershed District) and the Board of Water and Soil Resources. A non‐compliance form will be filled out along with a map of the parcel and will be provided to the enforcing entity for follow up with the landowner.
  • Appeals will be handled by the regulatory entity with Pope SWCD staff providing technical information regarding the buffer law and the project site as requested.

For more information contact Pope SWCD at 320-634-5327.

Filed Under: General, News

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320-634-5327
Pope Soil and Water Conservation District 1680 Franklin Street North Glenwood, MN 56334

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Pope SWCD Board Meetings
Location: USDA Service Center, 7:00 am April through October, 8:00 a.m. January through March and November and December
December 17, 2024 *Note* Meeting time 7:00 a.m. this month.
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All contents are the property of Pope County SWCD and are the views and opinions of the District. The District's goal is to provide quality and accurate information and products. All information within this site is subject to change and should serve only as a guideline for the districts services and procedures.

For the most accurate information, please call (320) 634-5327. Pope Soil & Water Conservation District prohibits discrimination in all their programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status.

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