Agency did more with less in '05

More than 5,500 people took part in the education department's programs.
CORTLAND -- Trumbull County Soil and Water Conservation District stepped up several facets of its work in 2005, even though it operated on less money, according to its annual report to county commissioners.
The district receives funding from the county, its municipalities and townships, with matching money from the state.
The SWCD provides services on conservation and natural resources to landowners and residents.
With its budget cut by nearly 50 percent from state and county sources in 2005, the SWCD restructured with the loss of two employees; then the long-standing administrator, David H. Brown, retired in March.
The three employees were replaced by one new staff position.
Mike Wilson, the district's new administrator, said conservationist John Knapp and the rest of the SWCD employees accepted the additional responsibilities of the agricultural technician position and handled all the fieldwork.
Still, the district tripled its plan reviews to 67, and 321 site inspections in the urban and development sector.
Other accomplishments
The education department conducted 229 programs to 5,554 people. Most of the programs are in-school classroom presentations with some outdoor field days, and teacher workshops.
Agriculture and rural support continued with more than 2,200 acres in resource management plans, 1,700 acres of conservation tillage and 1,400 acres being put in nutrient plans.
Four grassed waterways, 2,970 feet of water system pipelines, 8,850 feet of pasture fencing and eight livestock heavy use pads were installed in 2005.
The amount of general technical assistance and complaint support was 87, up from 58 in 2004.
These requests range from animal waste, pond site reviews, fish kills, timber cuts, stream erosion, wetland evaluations, drainage and flooding, mines, landfills and septic issues.
A storm-drain-marking project began in 2005 with the installation of 208 markers by church and neighborhood groups including many of the area Kiwanis and Key clubs.
The SWCD was also named the administrator for the county's newly adopted erosion and sediment control rules.
The district began reviewing conceptual plans for the Trumbull County Health Department in septic areas of the county.