Static Federal Funding

Note: Clinton Lake area groups met March 6th to talk about issues of interest. I'm using seperate posts to cover different topics. -ALR

Federal funding for maintenance and improvements of the lake's facilities, including dam maintenance, has not increased in the last 5 year. Our local Corps staff have limited means to keep the lake infrastructure functional. Meanwhile the public's need for outdoor recreation & eco-tourism is on the rise. Maintenance is not sufficient to keep pace with the wear and tear from more users, let alone making facilities improvements. Additionally, as the lake ages, maintaining its water quality becomes more challenging. Many costly land management practices aren't able to happen with the limited funding. It's easy to associate flaking paint and unkempt bathroom areas with underfunding. But...when water from the kitchen sink isn't up to snuff, federal funding to the Corps for maintaining water quality is about last on peoples' list of considerations.

Web Notebook

Wild Hogs

Note: Clinton Lake area groups met March 6th to talk about issues of interest. I'm using seperate posts to cover different topics. -ALR

Wild hogs are frustrating landowners in the watershed. These animals are several generations forward from their domestic lineage and have a much more feral appearance - most notably tusks and a much thicker form. They're smart enough and large enough to be creating serious damage to agricultural and conservation pursuits. Unfortunately independent thrill seekers have added to this dangerous situation and their efforts have further scattered these prolific animals. Wild hogs are not game animals and it is illegal to hunt them. Successful eradication will require coordinating agency and landowner efforts.

Web Notebook

Prairie Fires and Grassland Health

In Kansas, fire has been used as a management tool to rejuvenate and maintain grasslands for decades. Fire is essential to maintain the prairie ecosystem. Without it, our prairies will eventually become a forest.

Fire has been integral to the development of Great Plains grasslands. Based on early records, natural fires, started by lightning, varied from only a few acres to some that covered thousands of acres and lasted weeks. In addition, the Plains Indians started fires to move game into certain areas.

Prescribed burning is a major management tool of rangeland. Properly used, it can be a cost-effective method for increasing the productivity of rangeland and controlling many undesirable plants. It also can reduce the hazards of wildfires and benefit domestic livestock and wildlife.

Upcoming Land & Grazing Management Workshops

The Kansas Rural Center and K-State Research & Extension have partnered up to present several land management workshops. Small or Large: Managing Your Acreage allows landowners to apply personal and professional goals to a land management plan. The tri-County (Douglas, Osage, Shawnee) Extension Grazing Management Seminar includes discussion on soils, fertility, fencing, systems, and using grazing sticks to make decisions.

Small or Large: Managing Your Acreage
November 7 & 21, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Grace Community Church, Highway 56 in Overbrook
Contact one of these extension office for full details of the program and to pre-register:
Osage County - 785-828-4438
Shawnee County - 785-232-0062
Douglas County - 785-843-7058

Grazing Management Seminar
Speaker: Gary Kilgore, Southeast Area Extension Agronomist
December 14, 6:30 pm
Overbrook Livestock Commission Co., 700 Sunset Lane, Overbrook
Please RSVP by December 11 to the Osage County Extension Office at 785-828-4438

Shawnee County Conservation District Watershed Projects Take Off

The Shawnee County Conservation District (SCCD) embarked on a watershed restoration effort last year. With grant funding from KDHE, input from residents of the Lynn and Sixmile Creek watersheds has been sought. Participants share concerns and ideas for improved education or land management efforts. More infomation about this work is available at www.sccdistrict.com.